ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
bias or slanted viewpoint. Words such as very, extremely, exceedingly. and seriously fit into this category. Do not report minor imperfec- tions found during the inspection if there is no added value to public health. Avoid report- ing names of individuals unless it is germane to the problem encountered. And never make recommendations. Recommendations confer ownership. On the other hand, suggestions provide guidance. We always found it quite useful to pro- vide the inspected with the names and con- tact information (with their kind consent, of course) of at least three businesses and individuals who successfully dealt with similar conditions and situations cited in an
inspection report. This practice is particu- larly important for those violations deemed serious or that require significant modifica- tions or additional services to correct physi- cal plant deficiencies or operations. As a final note, the information on the art and science of inspection started about 10 years ago in preparation for a lawsuit against an environmental health specialist at a health department. The errors made during this individual’s inspections were significant and extreme, costing the restau- rant owner loss of income and unwarranted damage to the restaurant’s good reputation. One of the authors of this column served as an expert for the plainti and prepared a
report detailing the errors and shortcomings of the inspection process and subsequent actions taken against the operator based on those errors. The case settled out of court with considerable compensation paid to the restaurant owner and the health department issued a public letter of apology. Significant to the settlement was an agreement by the health department that its inspectors receive training on conducting inspections and issuing reports. This situation could have been prevented by persistent instruction on the art and science of inspection and profes- sional deportment.
Contact: powitz@sanitarian.com.
DIRECT FROM ATSDR continued from page 39
Parasram, V., Rayman, J., Smith, A.R., Wag- ner, J.C., Gerhardstein, B.G., & Orr, M.F. (2023). Community health impacts after a jet fuel leak contaminated a drinking water system: Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021. Journal of Water & Health , 21 (7), 956–971. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.109 Rispens, J.R., Jones, S.A., Clemmons, N.S., Ahmed, S., Harduar-Morano, L., Johnson, M.D., Edge, C., III, Vyas, A., Bourgikos, E., & Orr, M.F. (2020). Anhydrous ammo- nia chemical release—Lake County, Illi- nois, April 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 69 (4), 109–113. https://doi. org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6904a4 Sekkarie, A., DeJonge, P., Martell, S., Patrick, S., Caudill, M., Horton, D.K., Orr, M., & Konkle, S. (2023). Notes from the field: Show them you are an expert. You are dedicated to environmental health. Earn the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential to let your community and employer know just how much. The REHS/RS credential is the gold standard in environmental health. Learn the requirements: neha.org/rehs-rs-credential
Follow-up assessment 1 year after a chemi- cal exposure investigation—Winnebago County, Illinois, July–August 2022. Mor- bidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 72 (3), 80–81. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr. mm7203a6 Surasi, K., Nakayama, J.Y., Johnson, M., Martell, S., Patrick, S., Owen, L.R., Hor- ton, D.K., & Orr, M. (2021). Notes from the field: Deployment of an electronic self-administered survey to assess human health eects of an industrial chemical facility fire—Winnebago County, Illinois, June–July 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 70 (49), 1715–1716. https:// doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7049a4 Troeschel, A.N., Gerhardstein, B., Ponia- towski, A., Felton, D., Smith, A., Surasi,
K., Cavanaugh, A.M., Miko, S., Bolduc, M., Parasram, V., Edge, C., Funk, R., & Orr, M. (2022). Notes from the field: Self- reported health symptoms following petro- leum contamination of a drinking water system—Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021– February 2022. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 71 (21), 718–719. https:// doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7121a4 Unified Coordination Group—Flint, Michi- gan. (2016). Flint rash investigation: A report on findings from case interviews, water testing, and dermatologic screenings for rashes that developed or worsened after October 16, 2015 . https://www.phe.gov/ emergency/events/Flint/Documents/rash- report.pdf
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Volume 86 • Number 4
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