Environmental Health
| Environmental Health Staff: |
| Darrell Hammond |
Chief Environmental Health Specialist |
| David Mallette |
Senior Environmental Health Specialist |
| Amie Burden |
Environmental Health Specialist |
| John Kemp |
Environmental Health Specialist |
| Bryan Jones |
Environmental Health Specialist
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| Stephanie Snodgrass |
Environmental Health Specialist |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do Environmental Health Specialist do and why are they important?
A. Environmental Health Specialst are:
- State of Texas Registered Sanitarians
- State of Texas Registered Code Enforcement Officers
- National Certified Pool Operators
- State of Texas Food Protection Managers
They primarily inspect and monitor :
- food establishments
- child care facilities
- pools and spas
- nursing homes
Food Establishments
Q. How often are restaurants and other food establishments inspected?
A. Food establishments are divided into Risk Levels (categories), which determine how frequently they are inspected.
Q. What do inspectors look for in a food establishment inspection?
A. Food establishment inspections are conducted to prevent unsanitary conditions or practices that may contribute to food contamination and food-borne illnesses.
Q. What are some examples of violations found during food establishments inspections?
A. Examples of violations found in some food establishments are:
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Improper food holding
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Improper cooking or cooling temperatures
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Improper food preparation practices
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Poor hygiene practices by food establishment staff
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Damaged or non-working equipment
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Damaged or non-working food preparation surfaces
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Utensils that do not work
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Insect or rodent infestation
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Generally unclean conditions
Q. How are permits issued by Environmental Health?
A. Permits are issued annually for:
Child Care
Q. How often are childcare facilities inspected?
A. A minimum of two times a year.
Q. What do childcare inspectors look for in their inspections?
A. Childcare facilities are inspected twice a year to protect the health and safety of children. Inspection may include, but is not limited to:
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Health/Immunization records
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Emergency care forms
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Enrollment forms
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Playground equipment
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Storage of potentially toxic items
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Identification and elimination of other potential hazards
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Food preparation areas
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Child/staff ratios
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General sanitary conditions
Q. What do I need to begin keeping children in my home?
A. You must acquire a permit through the City of Irving Inspections Department located on the 2nd floor.
Q. What are some of the requirements to receive a child-care permit?
A.
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Each daycare provider must be licensed, registered, or listed with Child Protective Services. (see procedures for Childcare Permits.)
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Applicants must complete an application for a city permit.The fee is $50 for a home permit or $50 and then $1 per child the State allows for a commercial permit.
Additional requirements are available at the Inspections Department Service Counter.
When these requirements are met the applicant may schedule an initial inspection to be conducted prior to issuance of a permit. Following the initial inspection, unannounced inspections will occur.
Pools & Spas
Q. Does the city require all pools/spas/hot tubs to have a annual permit?
A.
Q. How much time is allowed for owners, managers or operators to make corrections after an inspection?
A. Environmental health specialist give business operators different time frames to correct violations based on the type of violation.
Q. How long before an specialist will be in the field to investigate my complaint?
A. Normally complaints are investigated within two business days.
Q. How can I get more information on Environmental Health Inspections?
A. Call 972.721.2371 or you can email the Environmental Health Supervisor - dhammond@cityofirving.org
Links
Food Establishments
- City of Irving Municipal Code-Chapter 18
- Department of State Health Services- Food Establishments
Childcare
- City of Irving Municipal Code-Chapter 13
- State Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers
- State Minimum Standards for Childcare Homes
Pools and Spas
- City of Irving Municipal Code-Chapter 36
- Department of State Health Services- Public Pools and Spas
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