For London’s manufacturing sector, factory cleaning in London Ontario just became a compliance issue—not just a housekeeping preference. New amendments to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) now require all employers to maintain washroom facilities in a clean and sanitary condition, with documentation requirements taking effect in 2026.
With over 20,000 manufacturing jobs and more than 500 companies, London sits at the heart of Ontario’s manufacturing corridor. From 3M Canada and Trojan Technologies to Diamond Aircraft and Maple Leaf Foods, local factories produce everything from automotive parts and medical devices to food products and aircraft. For all of these operations, the new washroom regulations represent both a compliance obligation and an opportunity to elevate workplace standards.
This guide breaks down what London manufacturers need to know about OHSA’s new requirements, what compliance looks like in practice, and how professional cleaning services can help you stay ahead of inspections.
Understanding OHSA’s New Washroom Cleaning Requirements
The changes stem from the Working for Workers Five Act (Bill 190), which amended the OHSA to add specific washroom facility requirements. These aren’t suggestions—they’re legally enforceable obligations that apply to all Ontario employers, including manufacturing facilities.
Effective July 1, 2025: Employers must ensure that any washroom facility provided for workers is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. This requirement is now enforceable, meaning Ministry of Labour inspectors can issue orders for non-compliance.
Effective January 1, 2026: Employers must keep, maintain, and make available records of washroom cleaning. Under Ontario Regulation 480/24, these records must include the date and time of the two most recent cleanings, and must be either posted in a visible location near the washroom or made available electronically where workers can access them.
The definition of “washroom facility” under the regulation includes washrooms, toilet facilities, clean-up facilities, urinals, showers, and similar facilities—essentially any sanitation facility provided for worker use.
What “Clean and Sanitary” Actually Means for Factories
The regulation doesn’t specify exactly how often washrooms must be cleaned—and that’s intentional. According to guidance from the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), cleaning frequency depends on how often the facility is used and by how many people.
For manufacturing facilities with multiple shifts and dozens or hundreds of workers, this typically means cleaning several times per day—not just once at the end of a shift. High-traffic washrooms in factories require more frequent attention than a small office restroom.
Factors the Ministry considers when assessing whether facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition include:
- Whether the facility is free of offensive odours• Adequate supply of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels• Functional hand-washing facilities• Clean floors, walls, and fixtures• Properly functioning toilets and urinals• Appropriate cleaning practices for the specific workplace context
For factories where workers handle oils, chemicals, or other industrial materials, “appropriate cleaning practices” may include more intensive sanitization than standard office environments require.
Factory Cleaning London Ontario: Documentation Requirements You Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2026, simply keeping washrooms clean isn’t enough—you need to prove it. The record-keeping requirements under O. Reg. 480/24 are specific:
Required record content: Each cleaning record must include the date and time of the two most recent cleanings of the washroom facility.
Posting options: Records must be either posted in a conspicuous place in or near the washroom where workers are likely to see them, or posted electronically where workers can access them (with clear directions provided on how to access the records).
Record retention: While the regulation focuses on displaying the two most recent cleanings, best practice suggests maintaining records for at least one year for audit purposes.
For factories with multiple washroom facilities across large floor areas, this creates a significant documentation challenge. Each washroom needs its own cleaning log, updated after every cleaning, with records accessible to workers at all times.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: What’s at Stake
OHSA violations carry serious consequences. According to the Ontario government’s penalty guidelines, a person convicted of an offence under the OHSA may face:
- Fines up to $500,000 for individuals• Fines up to $1,500,000 for corporations• Up to 12 months imprisonment• For corporations with repeat offences resulting in death or serious injury, minimum fines of $500,000
Additionally, as of January 1, 2026, Ministry of Labour inspectors can issue Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for OHSA contraventions—a faster enforcement mechanism than prosecution. The Ministry can also publish the names of employers who receive penalties, creating reputational risks beyond the financial penalties.
Beyond formal penalties, dirty washrooms and missing records can trigger deeper inspections of your overall health and safety compliance. What starts as a washroom issue can quickly expand into a comprehensive audit of your entire operation.
Why These Regulations Matter for London’s Manufacturing Sector
London has earned its reputation as the manufacturing heartland of Ontario. The sector employs over 20,000 people across more than 430 establishments, representing approximately 9.2 percent of the city’s total workforce. Major employers span diverse industries: 3M Canada, McCormick Canada, Trojan Technologies, Starlim North America, Trudell Medical, Diamond Aircraft, and Sodecia all call London home.
This concentration of manufacturing activity means thousands of workers rely on factory washroom facilities daily. The new OHSA requirements recognize that workplace sanitation directly affects worker health, dignity, and safety. For London manufacturers competing to attract and retain skilled workers in a challenging labour market, clean facilities aren’t just about compliance—they’re about being an employer of choice.
The timing matters too. With Ontario’s manufacturing sector projected to lose 22,500 workers annually to retirement through 2033, and the London-Windsor corridor particularly affected, workplace conditions play an increasingly important role in recruitment and retention. Workers have options, and employers who invest in clean, well-maintained facilities demonstrate respect for their workforce.
Factory Cleaning London Ontario: Unique Challenges for Manufacturers
Manufacturing facilities face washroom cleaning challenges that typical commercial buildings don’t encounter. Understanding these challenges helps you develop cleaning programs that actually work.
Multi-shift operations: Factories running two or three shifts have washrooms in continuous use for 16 to 24 hours daily. Cleaning can’t wait for the end of the day—it needs to happen between shifts or during scheduled breaks without disrupting production.
Industrial contamination: Workers handling oils, lubricants, metal shavings, food products, or chemicals bring those materials into washrooms. Standard cleaning protocols may not address the specific contamination common in your facility.
High-volume usage: A washroom serving 50 production workers sees dramatically more traffic than one serving 10 office employees. Supplies deplete faster, fixtures wear more quickly, and cleaning needs to happen more frequently.
Multiple facility locations: Large manufacturing plants may have washrooms scattered across production floors, break rooms, loading docks, and office areas. Each requires cleaning, documentation, and monitoring.
PPE and safety requirements: Cleaning staff in manufacturing environments may need specific PPE or safety training to work safely around production areas, especially in facilities handling hazardous materials.
Building a Compliant Factory Cleaning Program in London Ontario
Compliance requires more than good intentions—it requires systematic processes. Here’s what an effective washroom cleaning program for manufacturing facilities should include:
Cleaning frequency based on usage: Assess each washroom’s traffic patterns and establish cleaning frequencies that ensure facilities remain clean and sanitary at all times—not just immediately after cleaning. For high-traffic production floor washrooms, this may mean cleaning every few hours.
Standardized cleaning checklists: Develop detailed checklists specifying exactly what gets cleaned and how. Include photos of the expected condition to establish clear standards. This ensures consistency regardless of who performs the cleaning.
Reliable documentation systems: Whether paper logs or digital systems, your documentation method must capture the date and time of each cleaning, identify who performed it, and remain accessible for inspection. Digital systems offer advantages for multi-location facilities.
Supply management: Running out of toilet paper or soap creates immediate non-compliance. Build supply monitoring into your cleaning program to ensure facilities are always stocked.
Issue escalation procedures: When workers encounter problems—clogged toilets, broken fixtures, depleted supplies—they need a clear process to report issues and confidence that problems will be addressed quickly.
Regular audits: Add washroom inspections to your Joint Health and Safety Committee’s responsibilities. Regular internal audits catch problems before inspectors do.
How Professional Factory Cleaning in London Ontario Supports Compliance
Many manufacturers find that professional cleaning services provide the most reliable path to compliance. Here’s why:
Consistent quality: Professional commercial cleaning companies have established procedures, trained staff, and quality control processes that deliver consistent results. Compliance requires consistency—not just occasional good cleaning.
Documentation expertise: Professional cleaning providers understand documentation requirements and can implement logging systems that satisfy regulatory expectations. This removes the administrative burden from your production management team.
Flexible scheduling: Cleaning services can schedule around your production shifts, ensuring washrooms get attention during break periods or shift changes without disrupting operations.
Proper products and equipment: Professional cleaners bring appropriate products for industrial environments, understand WHMIS requirements for hazardous cleaning products, and maintain proper safety data sheets.
Accountability: When cleaning is outsourced to professionals, there’s clear accountability for results. Service agreements establish expectations, and professional providers stake their reputation on meeting them.
Preparing for January 2026: Your Compliance Timeline
If your facility isn’t already compliant with the July 2025 cleanliness requirements, you’re behind. Here’s what to prioritize before the documentation requirements take effect:
Immediately: Assess current washroom conditions against the “clean and sanitary” standard. Address any obvious deficiencies—broken fixtures, inadequate supplies, visible dirt or odours.
Q1 2026: Establish your cleaning frequency and documentation system. Decide whether you’ll use paper logs or digital tracking. If posting electronically, ensure workers know how to access records.
Before January 1, 2026: Train all cleaning staff (internal or external) on documentation requirements. Test your system to ensure records are being captured correctly and posted appropriately.
Ongoing: Conduct regular internal audits. Update your Joint Health and Safety Committee on washroom compliance. Address issues promptly when identified.
Factory Cleaning London Ontario: Compliance as Competitive Advantage
London’s manufacturing sector faces mounting pressures—from trade uncertainties to workforce challenges. The last thing you need is a preventable OHSA violation disrupting operations or damaging your reputation.
But compliance with the new washroom regulations isn’t just about avoiding penalties. Clean, well-maintained facilities signal to workers that you value their dignity and wellbeing. In a sector facing significant workforce challenges—Ontario manufacturing is projected to lose 22,500 workers annually to retirement through 2033—workplace conditions matter for attraction and retention.
Professional factory cleaning in London Ontario ensures your washroom facilities meet regulatory requirements while freeing your management team to focus on production. It’s an investment in compliance, worker satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Get Your Factory Compliant with Professional Cleaning Services
Need help meeting OHSA’s washroom requirements? We provide comprehensive cleaning services for manufacturing facilities throughout London and surrounding areas, including washroom cleaning programs designed for regulatory compliance.
Our team understands the unique demands of factory environments—multi-shift operations, industrial contamination, high-traffic facilities, and the documentation requirements that keep you inspection-ready.
Contact us today to discuss how professional cleaning can help your London manufacturing facility meet OHSA requirements and maintain the clean, safe workplace your employees deserve.
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