When it comes to health and safety in Pinellas County, FL, it’s universally agreed that many diseases and hazards are easily preventable. A lot of times, disease breakouts and injuries resulting from safety hazards come from a place of negligence and a failure to correct practices that are not in compliance with state laws and regulations.

To understand Florida work health and safety standards, it’s important to break down the common causes of health and safety issues. We much also identify the Florida departments responsible for regulating work health and safety, well as the measures organizations can take to stay in compliance with both local and federal laws.

Common Causes For Work Health And Safety Issues

One of the most commonly reported causes of disease breakouts is foodborne illness. These illnesses are typically caused by the toxins some bacteria produce or by the bacteria itself. Since bacteria are known to reproduce quickly through a process known as binary fission in temperatures ranging from 41 to 140ºF, storing food in these temperatures speeds up their reproductive process. Apart from the presence of bacteria, other factors that facilitate foodborne illnesses include:

• Not storing food properly at adequately cold or hot temperatures
• Not washing hands and fingernails before handling food, including prepared meals
• Not wearing gloves when preparing food others will eat
• Flies, roaches, and other pests contaminating food, utensils, and other equipment
• Cross-contamination from mixing uncooked meats with other foods
• Not cleaning and sanitizing eating and cooking utensils
• Not cleaning and sanitizing other equipment and workspaces

The Florida Departments Responsible For Ensuring Health And Safety

The state of Florida has three government organizations that are responsible for ensuring the public is being supplied with only safe and wholesome foods: the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), and the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR).

Of the three departments, the Department of Health does the most legwork in working with various organizations and institutions to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The other two departments are more specialized in their regulations. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, for example, is responsible for inspecting grocery stores, food storage units, food processing plants, and food distribution points. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing and inspecting caterers, restaurants, and mobile food vehicles. The Department of Health handles everything else.

Among the organizations and institutions, the Department of Health is responsible for regulating include schools with cafeterias, bars and lounges, civic organizations that serve food, cinemas with concession stands, and other food service establishments. The Department of Health is also responsible for regulating locations that partake in the USDA Afterschool Meal Program, temporary food events, mobile food units, and vending machines.

How To Acquire A Sanitation Certificate for Health And Safety

One way to stay in compliance with work health and safety is to apply for a Sanitation Certificate, which is issued by the County Health Department in the Florida county the organization or facility is located. Unless an organization or facility is exempt, the County Health Department is responsible for inspecting and issuing food certificates to these facilities.

In order to apply for a Department of Health Sanitation Certificate, an application must be completed and submitted to County Health Department. A copy of the facility’s floor plans must be included in the application, along with the permit fee that corresponds to those plans. The correct amount for the latter can be calculated with assistance from the County Health Department.

Before submitting the facility’s floor plans with the application, the floor plans must be drawn to scale and need to contain a description of the building’s layout and construction. The floor plans must also have a description of equipment design and installation, the intended menu, and how the facility operates in general. Any other aspects of the facility’s operation that are relevant to the County Health Department requirements need to be included in the description as well.

Pinellas County, FL Work Health and Safety

In general, equipment requirements are determined by the food service activities of the organization or facility. This means that the organization or facility should only install the appropriate equipment that is necessary for running the foodservice establishment. This is one area County Health Department can help with based on the information provided by the organization or facility. Having said that, however, there are some bare minimum equipment requirements for all organizations and facilities. These include:

• A sink for handwashing in the food preparation area
• Faucets that run both hot and cold water
• A curb sink for disposing wastewater
• A restroom for both staff and guests alike