The following are examples that the environmental staff of the Bell County Health Department is responsible for in terms of administration and enforcement of environmental health laws in regards to the following program areas:

Food Service Program

The food service program is designed to assure that safe, correctly prepared food is served to the public in clean, healthy and environmentally efficient manner. There are approximately 190 food service establishments (including restaurants, school cafeterias, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, delicatessens, ice cream shops, bars, and bed and breakfast) that are permitted within Bell County. There are also approximately 65 temporary concessions inspected and permitted at festivals and events every year.  Food Service establishments are inspected a minimum of twice annually with follow-ups conducted as needed or in an emergency basis.  Routine annual food service training classes are provided online through Kentucky TRAIN. Click here for more info.

Retail Markets

This program covers all establishments dealing in the retail sale of foods to the public and includes supermarkets, meat and seafood markets, neighborhood groceries, convenience stores, drug and discount stores.  These establishments are inspected using a multiple point item inspection form developed by the state in accordance with FDA Food Code. 

Hotel – Motel Program

Hotels and motels are permitted establishments that are required to be inspected to ensure the health and safety of the general public.  Annual inspections are conducted on these establishments.  Any hotel scoring a failing grade of 85 or below (or any hotel guilty of critical violations) are subject to subsequent follow-up inspections and/or enforcement actions

Mobile – Home Recreational Vehicle Parks

Two or more mobile home spaces on a common piece of property available to the general public is considered to be a mobile home park and must be permitted and inspected on an annual basis.  

Schools

Locally funded schools and school systems are inspected on a semi-annual bases to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, staff and general public.  In addition to the school building, playgrounds, gymnasiums (and locker rooms), and school lunch cafeterias are inspected on school properties as well.

Swimming Areas

This program covers public swimming pools/spas, including those operated by communities, subdivisions, camps, schools, institutions, parks, hotels, recreational areas or similar public facilities.  Inspections are conducted twice during the operating season for these establishments.

Tattoo/Body and Ear Piercing Studios

Tattoo studios and tattoo artists operating within the state must comply with Kentucky regulations and obtain a permit for the studio and registration for the artist.  The same is also true for anyone seeking to open/operate/maintain a permitted body and ear piercing studio.  Strict guidelines apply in regard to sanitation and sterilization of instruments.  Compliance with the state plumbing code is also applicable.

State Confinement Facilities

The health department is required to inspect state confinement facilities on a semi – annual basis to assure compliance with current standards.  License applications and bonding requirements are processed by the health department.

Rabies

The health department investigates animal biting incidents involving human exposure. Animals are quarantined for a period of ten days for observation and are released at the end of this period if the animal is living and appears to be in good health.  Incidents involving other animals are handled on a case by case basis with laboratory testing of specimens to check for rabies when necessary.

Onsite Sewage Disposal

All sewage disposal systems installed within the district that underground distribution point must be permitted and inspected by the health department. When planning to buy property for a home in an area not served by a municipal sewage system, the health department will conduct a site evaluation of the property to assure proper sizing of the disposal system.  Existing septic systems are also inspected on newly bought property or on property where a new home is replacing an old home structure.