The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to conduct inspections of personal services settings in Thunder Bay and district. Inspections are conducted at a minimum of once per year and include establishments that offer services in tattooing and body and/or ear piercing, electrolysis, aesthetics such as manicures, pedicures, waxing and facials, hairdressing/ barbering and tanning.
Public Health Inspectors ensure personal service workers (PSW), owners and operators follow the guidelines set out by the MOHLTC. The protocol, the Ministry of Health, Infection Control in Personal Service Settings Protocol, 1998 was developed to minimize the risks of contracting blood borne infections for both client and PSW during the delivery of personal services.
Some personal service settings in Thunder Bay have advertised that they are “Health Board Certified” or “Health Unit Certified”. Thunder Bay District Health Unit does NOT provided approval or certification to ANY personal service setting. However, inspections are mandatory and are conducted at all personal service settings at least once per year.
In addition, there may be personal services settings that may operate in homes or other locations which may have never been inspected by the Health Unit. To ensure that you are receiving services from a Health Unit inspected premise, ask the business owner/ operator to show you their last inspection report.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit also provides information to the public and responds to complaints regarding theses services/ settings.
Information for Those Considering Tattoos or Piercings:
Information for Personal Service Workers
Resources and Fax Sheets:
Beauty and Body Art