OHSA Cleaning Requirements for Ontario Businesses | 2026

Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) places a legal obligation on employers to maintain workplaces in a condition that protects the health and safety of workers. While OHSA itself is a framework statute, it is supported by specific regulations that spell out cleaning and housekeeping requirements for different facility types. Understanding these requirements is essential for any Ontario business — non-compliance can result in orders, fines, and liability in the event of a worker injury or illness.

The Core Obligation Under OHSA

Section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to 'take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.' In practice, this includes maintaining workplace cleanliness at a level that prevents slipping, tripping, and exposure to hazardous substances. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development enforces OHSA through inspections and can issue stop-work orders for facilities that pose an imminent risk.

O.Reg. 851: Industrial Establishments

Ontario Regulation 851 applies to industrial establishments including factories, warehouses, food processing facilities, and many commercial operations. It contains explicit requirements for housekeeping and cleanliness:

• Section 11: Floors, platforms, aisles, and passageways must be kept clean and free from obstructions and tripping hazards
• Section 12: Spilled materials that create a hazard must be cleaned up immediately
• Section 13: Waste and refuse must not be allowed to accumulate in a way that creates a hazard
• Section 45: Floor surfaces must be maintained in a condition that prevents slipping — this includes wet floor protocols
• WHMIS compliance: All cleaning products used must have current SDS (Safety Data Sheets) available to workers
• Chemical storage: Cleaning chemicals must be stored in labelled containers in designated areas away from food and incompatible materials

O.Reg. 67/93: Healthcare and Related Establishments

Facilities covered under O.Reg. 67/93 — hospitals, long-term care homes, medical clinics, dental offices, and laboratories — face significantly more stringent cleaning requirements. The regulation requires employers to establish written infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols, which include specific cleaning and disinfection procedures for patient-care areas, medical equipment, and common surfaces. Health authorities in Ontario have published detailed guidance documents for each facility type that effectively function as the compliance standard for cleaning programmes.

O.Reg. 493/17: Food Premises (Toronto Public Health)

Restaurants, commercial kitchens, food manufacturing facilities, and any Ontario food premises are subject to O.Reg. 493/17 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. This regulation requires food premises to be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Key cleaning obligations include:

• Food contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitised after each use and at minimum every four hours during continuous operation
• All equipment must be maintained in good repair and in a condition that permits effective cleaning
• Pest control measures must prevent pest entry and harborage
• Adequate cleaning facilities (sinks, hot water, storage) must be available and maintained
• A written cleaning and sanitising schedule must be available for inspection

Documentation Requirements

Across all regulated sectors, inspectors routinely request documentation to verify that cleaning obligations are being met consistently, not just on the day of inspection. Best-practice documentation includes:

• A written cleaning programme or schedule listing all tasks, frequencies, responsible parties, and products used
• Completed cleaning logs with dates, times, and initials for each visit
• SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for every cleaning product used on-site
• Records of any periodic services (carpet cleaning, hood cleaning, deep cleaning) with service certificates
• Training records showing staff have been trained on cleaning procedures and WHMIS

How a Professional Cleaning Company Helps With Compliance

Engaging a professional cleaning company does not transfer your OHSA compliance obligations — you remain responsible as the employer. However, a professional cleaning partner significantly reduces your risk. CMG Clean provides completed service logs for every visit, SDS documentation for all products used, and staff who are trained on WHMIS and site-specific protocols. For regulated industries such as food service, healthcare, and industrial operations, we can tailor our scope of work to align with the specific regulatory requirements for your facility type.

If your Toronto or GTA facility is subject to regulatory inspection and you need to ensure your cleaning programme meets current Ontario standards, contact CMG Clean to arrange a compliance-focused site assessment.