What is Bill 190 / O. Reg. 480/24?
Bill 190 — the Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 — received Royal Assent in October 2024 and introduced Ontario Regulation 480/24 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The regulation came into force on January 1, 2026.
Before Bill 190, Ontario's OHSA required employers to maintain clean washroom facilities but did not mandate a specific record-keeping format or posting requirement. O. Reg. 480/24 changed that by creating explicit obligations:
Maintain cleaning records
Employers must keep a record of every washroom cleaning, including the date, time, and identity of the person who performed it.
Post records where workers can see them
Records must be posted in or near the washroom in a location accessible to workers — either physically or electronically (e.g., via QR code).
Keep records current
Records must be kept up to date and reflect actual cleaning activity, not just scheduled times.
The key change from Bill 190: it is no longer enough to keep washrooms clean. You must now document and post evidence that they are being cleaned — and that documentation must be accessible to your workers.
Who Does Bill 190 Apply To?
O. Reg. 480/24 applies to all Ontario employers who provide washroom facilities to their workers — regardless of industry, sector, or workplace size. There is no minimum employee threshold.
If you are an Ontario employer and your workers use washroom facilities, Bill 190 applies to you.
What Must Be Recorded?
O. Reg. 480/24 requires cleaning records to capture sufficient information to demonstrate that washrooms are being cleaned as required. At minimum, each record should include:
A schedule showing when washrooms should be cleaned is not sufficient. Records must document when they were actually cleaned.
The regulation does not prescribe a specific format. Paper logs and digital systems are both acceptable — but digital systems offer significant practical advantages for compliance. Download a free compliant template →
How Must Records Be Posted?
O. Reg. 480/24 requires records to be posted in a location accessible to workers — in or near the washroom. Both physical and electronic posting are acceptable.
Physical posting
A printed cleaning log displayed on the washroom door or inside the facility. Workers can read it directly.
Electronic posting (recommended)
A QR code posted at the washroom links to a live digital record. Workers can access it by scanning the code.
Fines and Penalties
Failure to comply with O. Reg. 480/24 is a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. OHSA penalties are significant:
Up to $100,000 per offence for corporations
Each washroom without a compliant cleaning record is a separate offence. A portfolio with 10 non-compliant washrooms could face up to $1,000,000 in fines.
Compliance orders published publicly
MLITSD compliance orders are posted on the Ontario government's public inspection database — visible to tenants, clients, and prospective customers.
Stop-work orders possible
In serious or repeated cases, MLITSD inspectors may issue stop-work orders affecting your operations.
The cost of a compliant digital cleaning system — starting at $29/month — is a fraction of a single compliance order.
Paper Logs vs. Digital Records for Bill 190 Compliance
Both paper and digital records are accepted under O. Reg. 480/24. But in practice, paper logs create significant compliance risk:
How Komplio Makes Bill 190 Compliance Automatic
Komplio is a Canadian washroom management platform built for exactly this regulatory environment. Here is how it satisfies every O. Reg. 480/24 requirement:
QR scan creates a timestamped record automatically
When a cleaner scans the washroom QR code, Komplio creates a cleaning record with the exact date, time, and cleaner identity — no manual entry. The regulation's core requirement is satisfied with a phone scan.
Records are posted live via the QR code
The same QR code posted at the washroom lets workers see the most recent cleaning record by scanning it. No daily printing. No re-posting. Always current — meeting the 'posted where workers can access' requirement.
Inspector-ready export in seconds
When an MLITSD inspector arrives, export a full cleaning history as CSV — filtered by washroom, date range, or cleaner. No scrambling through binders.
365-day record retention built in
All cleaning logs are stored automatically for 365 days. You don't need to manage physical binders or worry about records being lost or damaged.
Multi-site management from one dashboard
Manage all your buildings and washrooms from a single account. See which washrooms are compliant and which have missed cleanings — across every location.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Obligations under OHSA and O. Reg. 480/24 may vary by sector and workplace type. Consult a qualified legal or compliance professional for guidance specific to your organization. Komplio is a management and record-keeping tool and does not replace professional compliance assessments.