Clear Guidelines, Safer Services: Health Hazard Amendments

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The Health Hazard Amendment Regulations, 2023 were enacted under the Public Health Act, 1994, through Order in Council 468/2023. These amendments aim to update existing regulations concerning health hazards in Saskatchewan, with a particular focus on personal service facilities and their operational standards. The regulations introduce changes to the existing Health Hazard Regulations, including revisions to legislative references, the replacement of outdated definitions, and the refinement of operational requirements for businesses that provide invasive services.

A key change is the update of the reference to the Environmental Management and Protection Act, shifting from the 2002 version to the 2010 version, thereby ensuring alignment with current environmental standards. Additionally, Section 3 broadens the definition of facilities governed by these regulations, now explicitly including those defined under The Child Care Act, 2014; The Mental Health Services Act; and The Residential Services Act, 2019, among others.

The focus of the amendments is on personal service facilities. In Section 13, definitions and requirements for these facilities have been thoroughly updated. For instance, services invasive to a person’s body now require oversight unless performed by members in good standing of a regulated professional association. Furthermore, operators of personal service facilities are mandated to notify local authorities prior to constructing, extending, renovating, or altering their facilities. This notification must include essential details such as the facility’s name and location, the operator’s contact information, and a list of services provided, enhancing transparency and enabling local authorities to effectively monitor health and safety standards.

The regulations also impose specific responsibilities on operators of personal service facilities. They must ensure that their staff are adequately trained to deliver services safely and are equipped to recognize and respond to potential health hazards. Additionally, individuals providing personal services must be ready to show proof of their training upon request from local authorities or the public. For operators already in compliance with existing regulations before the new amendments took effect, a grace period of 90 days is provided to submit the required notification to local authorities, facilitating a smoother transition to compliance with the updated regulations.

The amendments aim to ensure these facilities operate within a framework that prioritizes health and safety, by mandating improved training and transparency from operators.

Saskatchewan (89/2023) September 15, 2023