Personal Service Establishment Inspections – General Checklist

Maintaining strong infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices is essential to protecting both clients and operators in personal service establishments. 

During routine visits, Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) focus on ensuring that establishments are clean, safe, and following practices that reduce the risk of infection. 

This checklist outlines the key areas EHOs review during inspections and can also be used by operators as a helpful self‑assessment tool to support ongoing compliance and safe service delivery.

Establishment Cleanliness & Maintenance

• General cleanliness of all work areas
• Floors, walls, and surfaces in good repair
• Adequate lighting and ventilation
• Handwashing sinks are accessible and unobstructed
• Washrooms clean, stocked, and functional

Hand Hygiene

• Handwashing sink equipped with liquid soap, paper towels, and warm water
• Alcohol‑based hand rub available where appropriate
• Staff performing hand hygiene at required moments

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Gloves available and used appropriately
• Single‑use PPE discarded after each client
• Reusable PPE cleaned and stored properly

Cleaning & Disinfection Practices

• Work surfaces cleaned and disinfected between clients
• Approved disinfectants used according to manufacturer instructions
• Contact times followed correctly
• Disinfectant logs maintained (if required) 

Instrument and Equipment Handling

• Single‑use items discarded after use
• Reusable instruments cleaned and disinfected properly
• Cleaned and disinfected instruments stored to prevent contamination
• How to Clean and Disinfect Instruments in Personal Service Establishments

Waste Management

• Sharps disposed of in approved sharps containers
• Sharps containers not overfilled
• General waste disposed of appropriately

Client Records and Logs

• Client records maintained for services using critical instruments
• High-level disinfection log maintained (if applicable)
• Accidental exposure records maintained

Operator Health & Hygiene

• Operators free from communicable illness while working
• Proper attire worn (e.g., clean clothing, hair secured)
• No eating, drinking, or smoking in service areas

Chemical & Product Safety

• Chemicals approved for use in Canada
• Chemicals used for the intended purpose and according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Products properly labeled and stored
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) available where required
• No expired disinfectants or products in use

Overall Compliance & Documentation

• Registration information accurate and up to date
• Required records available for review
• Operators knowledgeable about infection prevention and control requirements