Beauty & Body Art
Information For Clients
What Are Personal Service Settings and Are They Inspected?
Personnel Service Settings include hair salons, barbershops, manicure and pedicure salons, esthetic services, tattoo parlours, body piercing establishments, and full service spas. As of July 1, 2018 these premises will be regulated under Regulation O. Reg 136/18.
Public health inspectors inspect personal service settings to monitor for infection prevention and control issues and compliance with regulatory requirements. During these inspections, it is determined if “best practices” are being followed to prevent blood borne infections such as Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, and other generalized infections from being transmitted to their clients.
Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act inspectors take actions to reduce or remove any health hazards identified at personal services settings.
What Types of Things Should I Consider Before Having a Service Performed?
The health unit encourages clients to be informed before choosing to have a personal service performed. Taking a few minutes to ensure you are aware of what the procedure involves and the risks posed by these services will allow you to make an informed decision about where you choose to go.
Some indicators that proper precautions are being taken are:
- The operator freely discusses the procedure and associated risks and is willing to answer all your questions
- Operator provides written aftercare for invasive procedures
- Establishment is visibly clean and cleaning occurs between clients
- Personal service worker (PSW) washes hands often and in between clients
- PSW uses gloves for invasive procedures
- Instruments that directly contact clients are disposable or properly disinfected after contact
The following resources will help you know what questions to ask and what to look for when seeking personal services: