Opening a Personal Service Setting

Personal services must be provided in an approved facility. If you are planning to open a new personal service setting or purchasing an existing one, there are several factors you should consider. The New Personal Service Setting Checklist will help you determine if a building is suitable for your business. *Note that this is a generic personal service settings checklist; depending on the services offered, there may be additional requirements.

Personal services may be able to be provided in a home-based setting. Home based operations are required to be inspected and follow all applicable requirements in Ontario Regulation 136/18: Personal Service Settings.

In home-based personal service settings, animals are not permitted in the room(s) that is serving as the PSS, unless an applicable exemption applies in the case of a service animal. Note that pets are permitted in the parts of the home that are not serving as the PSS.

Home based premises must have a sink for hand washing, which may be located in a nearby washroom. Home based premises must also have a separate reprocessing sink that meets the following requirements:

• capable of immersing the largest piece of reusable equipment used at the setting;
• continuously supplied with potable hot and cold running water under pressure;
• has adequate counter space to prepare the reusable equipment for use and re-use;
• not located in a room with a toilet; and
• sufficiently separated from where personal services are provided so as to prevent contamination.

Home-based personal service settings must contact their local municipality and inform of intention to operate. Some municipalities require business licenses in order to operate and others may not permit home-based operation. Your area PHI will ensure that you have completed this step prior to the pre-opening inspection.

SWPH has developed an Infection Prevention and Control Management Plan Template as a reference tool to help owners and operators of personal Service Settings. These plans will assist the operator to ensure that all steps are taken to prevent infection in their business. It is the responsibility of all operators to evaluate the plan to ensure it is being used properly and is effective.

The following signs are available to download and use as educational material in personal service settings:

• Correct Handwashing Poster
• Wash Your Hands Poster
• Clean Your Hands Poster
• Personal Service Settings Health and Safety Poster 
• Infection Prevention and Control Management Plan Template
• Disinfection Form Template
• Sterilization Form Template
• Accidental Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Template
• Client Record Form
• Notice to Patrons

Personal service settings inspection exemptions

Some organizations are exempt from complying with Ontario Regulation 136/18: Personal Service Settings. This includes:

• a hospital within the meaning of the Public Hospitals Act;
• a retirement home under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010;
• a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007;
• a setting where the personal services are primarily provided by a member of a health profession set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 who is engaged in the practice of his or her profession;
  • E.g. registered nurse providing botox services and/or registered message therapists.
• the dwelling of a person receiving a personal service where the personal service is provided at that dwelling.

*Note that these premises are required follow different legislative requirements.