Everything you need to know about Bill 190
New regulations are coming into effect July 1st, 2025 that will require Ontario employers to implement significant changes in how they manage and report employee washroom cleanliness. Compliance with this legislation is critical to ensure safe and healthy workplaces and avoid hefty non-compliance fines of up to $100,000.
While this legislation currently only applies to Ontario, similar legislation will likely extend to rest of Canada in the near future. We want to ensure that when it does, you’ll be ready.
What Are the Requirements?
Bill 190’s mandatory requirements will roll out in two phases.
Phase One
EffectiveJuly 1st, 2025, employers and constructors must properly maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of all employee washrooms. All records of employee washroom cleaning must also be kept, maintained, and made easily accessible if requested. This means that if someone asks for cleaning records, businesses must be able to provide the date and time each cleaning was performed.
Phase Two
Effective January 1st, 2026, compliance with the following regulations is required:
OHSA Regulation 480/24 – Washroom Facilities – Record of Cleaning
Employers must keep, maintain, and make records of washroom cleaning easily accessible for employees. The records need to be physically posted in or near employee washrooms in a noticeable location, or posted electronically, with clear instructions on how employees can access them. These records must include the date and time of the two most recent washroom cleanings.
OHSA Regulation 482/24 – Washroom Facilities – Construction Projects
Constructors must keep records of all cleaning and sanitizing of employee washrooms, including porta-potties. Records must be easily accessible for employees for the duration of the construction project, or the previous six months, whichever is shorter.
How To Be Compliant
There are multiple methods that can be used to maintain cleaning records in compliance with upcoming legislation.
Paper Logs
Traditional paper cleaning logs require each cleaning to be physically recorded and presented in or near employee washrooms. These logs need to be updated daily and records must be properly maintained and stored in a file system that is easily accessible upon request. But in the long run, managing paper logs can be cumbersome and difficult to maintain as the number of records increase.
Digitizing Paper Logs
Alternatively, paper logs can be scanned and stored digitally, which simplifies the processes of maintaining records. However, this method is still inefficient for long-term maintenance and accessibility of records.
Digital Cleaning Management Software
The most effective method of compliance is through a digital cleaning management software (DCMS) that tracks and consolidates washroom cleaning data.
As an example, CleanWatchTM is a DCMS that utilizes QR codes to digitally track, store, and access cleaning records. By scanning a QR code, cleaning staff can sign-off when a washroom has been cleaned, creating a digital record with the date and time of service. When employees scan the QR code, they can view the most recent cleanings. All cleaning records can be easily accessed via smartphone or computer, meaning you can stay compliant with the click of a button.
Don’t wait until it’s too late; reach out to your Bunzl representative today to learn how you can be compliant when new legislation takes place.
