Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit   Gallery - New Legal Requirements for Health Unit Inspected PremisesThe Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is sharing with you the new legal requirements under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) that came into effect July 1, 2018. These new requirements mean that all businesses in the health unit’s region operating an inspected premise under the HPPA are now required to notify the health unit at least 7-14 days before opening. In some circumstances, owners and operators may need to notify SMDHU before adding new services or renovating an existing business. These notifications may include submitting floor plans, menus, and municipal approvals (e.g. permits, planning, and plumbing approvals).

They are requesting support in sharing these new requirements with owners and operators in our municipality, particularly for new businesses. As part of our communication with local businesses, they ask that we alert owners and operators to the new regulations, and that resources; including the appropriate notification forms, are available on their website www.smdhu.org/pss.

Inspected premises:

1) Food premises

a. Operators must notify SMDHU at least seven (7) days prior to opening

2) Recreational Camps (camps where overnight accommodation is provided for children and eating facilities are provided)
a. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days prior to opening
b. Operators must notify SMDHU promptly when the recreational camp is closed

3) Personal Services Settings (including hairdressing, nail salons, aesthetics and tattooing)
a. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days prior to opening
b. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days if adding new services
c. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days if renovating an existing premises

4) Public pools and spas (including wading pools)
a. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days before pool and/or spa is put into use
b. Operators must notify SMDHU at least fourteen (14) days before the re-opening of a public pool and/or spa after any closure that lasts more than four (4) weeks

5) Small drinking water systems as defined in Ontario Regulation 319, under the HPPA
a. Operators/owners must notify SMDHU prior to supplying water to users
b. Operators/owners must notify SMDHU immediately when they stop providing water to users, or make changes to the system
c. Operators/owners must notify SMDHU before supplying water to users after any period of more than sixty (60) days duration where the water has not been used

In addition, Ontario local public health units are now required to expand their public disclosure system to include routine and complaint inspections of all business types listed above as well as child care centres and tanning premises. As part of this new requirement SMDHU will be enhancing our Inspection Connection disclosure program in stages with full implementation planned for 2020.

If you have any questions about the new notification requirements feel free to contact the office at 705-721-7520 or (877)721-7520 Ext.7235.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

original signed by:

Colin Q-T Lee, MD, MSc, CCFP (EM), FRCPC
Associate Medical Officer of Health

CL/cec

Download the PDF here