All health units in Ontario must conduct an annual health inspection and follow up on complaints associated with PSS. This process ensures that owners and operators operate their business in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Services Settings.
Revisions to the Licensing By-Law
As of July 1, 2015, under the revised Municipal Code 545, Licensing By-Law, all establishments offering the following, will be required to get a PSS licence and post their inspection notices at or near the entrance of the business, so that it is clearly visible to the public:
hairstyling
tattooing
micropigmentation
ear piercing
body piercing
electrolysis
manicures
pedicures
barbering
aesthetics (facials or waxing)
Types of Inspections
There are two types of inspection results that will be posted here:
Inspection
An inspection is conducted once a year at a minimum by a Public Health Inspector.
Re-inspection
A re-inspection is conducted if there are any infractions identified during the original health inspection. Re-inspections will occur within 48 hours if a service or establishment is not closed.
Establishment Level Inspection Result
The establishment level inspection result provides the overall outcome of the inspection.
BodySafe Pass Notice
Pass
Outcome
A Pass notice will be issued when no infractions are observed with any service during an inspection
Infraction Type
No infractions identified
Conditional Pass
Outcome
BodySafe Conditional Pass Notice
A Conditional Pass notice will be issued when one or more significant infractions are observed during an inspection or one or more crucial infraction(s) are observed during an inspection and the crucial infractions can be corrected during the inspection. When issued, a Public Health Inspector will re-inspect the establishment within 48 business hours of the initial inspection. If the infractions are corrected upon re-inspection and no other infractions are found, a Pass notice will be issued.
A Service(s) Closed notice will be issued when there is one or more crucial infraction(s) that cannot be corrected during the time of the inspection. When there is more than one service at a PSS and one of the services is required to close, a Service(s) Closed result will occur. The notice will indicate the service(s) that are closed. When all of the infractions are corrected, the establishment will receive a Pass notice.
A Closed notice will be issued when there is one or more crucial infraction(s) that cannot be corrected during the time of the inspection.When all the personal services are closed in a PSS, an Establishment Closed result will occur. The notice will indicate that all the services are closed. When all of the infractions are corrected, the establishment will receive a Pass notice.
Each establishment has at least one personal service they provide to the public, such as hairstyling. In many cases, one establishment can provide several different types of services, such as hairstyling and ear piercing. An establishment that provides more than one service is called a multi-service establishment. There are four inspection results that can occur at the service level. These include Satisfactory, Not Satisfactory, In Progress or Service Closure.
Satisfactory
Outcome
No infractions are identified during the inspection or re-inspection
Example
Inspected the hair and ear piercing services and both services had no infractions
Not satisfactory
Outcome
One or more infractions were identified during the inspection or re-inspection
Example
Inspected the hair and ear piercing services. Hair services had no infractions, but the ear piercing device was not being cleaned properly.
In progress
Outcome
An inspection of a service was attempted but could not be completed.
Example
The hair service was inspected but the person who provides ear piercing was not available that day for an inspection. The Inspector will need to return to complete the ear piercing inspection.
Service closure
Outcome
A service was ordered to close until infractions associated with that service are all corrected
Example
The ear piercing service was closed because there was no disinfectant to disinfect the device at the establishment
Establishment Risk and Frequency of Inspection
Each establishment is categorized into three risk levels depending on the type of services that are provided in the establishment. All establishments are inspected when there is a complaint, regardless of risk level.
Establishment risk level: Critical
Minimum number of inspections per year
Once per year
Risk assessment criteria
A service that uses any tool or item that penetrates the skin (used for invasive procedures). Includes the following services:
tattooing
piercing
electrolysis
micropigmentation
invasive facials
Establishment risk level: Semi-Critical
Minimum number of inspections per year
Once per year
Risk assessment criteria
A service that uses any tool or item that may come into contact with non intact skin or mucous membranes, but is not intended to penetrate them. Includes the following services:
hair cutting and barbering
manicures and pedicures
waxing
facials
Establishment risk level: Non-Critical
Minimum number of inspections per year
Complain basis only
Risk assessment criteria
A service that uses any tool or item that may come into contact with intact skin. Includes the following services:
non-invasive facials
tanning
massage
reflexology
Infraction Types Identified During Inspection
Practices that may lead to the transmission of infections identified during an inspection are categorized into different infractions. Health infractions or requirements are categorized as either significant or crucial, depending on the potential risk to health. These infractions are listed on the inspection report. When an infraction is identified, each infraction description and number of the infraction will be displayed on the website.
Significant Infractions
infraction that presents a potential health hazard
must be correcting within 48 hours
Examples
hands are not cleaned as necessary
items are not in good repair and the work environment is not clean or tidy
work area does not have a smooth impervious surface and is not well lit
single-use items are being re-used
products and items are not maintained in a sanitary manner
failure to maintain required records on site for one year or on file for five years
Crucial Infractions
infractions that present an immediate health hazard
must be corrected immediately or owner/operator cannot continue to provide the service
Examples
no sink with hot and cold running water or 70% alcohol-based hand rub
items are not cleaned and disinfected with the correct disinfectant between clients
items are not stored in a manner to prevent contamination
sharps are not discarded immediately after use into an approved sharps container
gloves are not used when required and changed between clients as needed
items that are invasive, such as needles, are not pre-packaged, sterile and discarded between clients
mechanical sterilizers (i.e. autoclaves) are not spore tested every two week
