Understanding Permitted Facility Inspections
The Seneca County Department of Environmental Health issues permits to operate for several different types of activities which includes food service, mobile home parks, temporary residences, campgrounds, children’s camps, swimming pools and tanning facilities. Additionally the Health Department also monitors compliance with the NYS Sanitary Code for public water supplies and tobacco sales to underage persons.
Compliance with the sanitary code is determined by unannounced on-site inspections of the permitted facilities. Most facilities are inspected at least once per year. Some establishments classified as high risk or operations which have a history of code violations are inspected at a more frequent rate.
Risk classifications for food service establishments are assigned based on the types of food, methods of preparation and volume of food; this is NOT an indication of how “safe” a particular establishment is. It is important to know that any inspection is a “snapshot” of any particular operation and may not be a completely accurate picture of the day to day business/conditions of the establishment. This applies to both good and bad operation.
In New York state violations are recorded under two main categories:
Red Violations (Critical)
Red violations include Public Health Hazards and/or factors which can lead to illness or injury. Violations of this type include unapproved sources of food, improper cooking and storage of food, contaminated water supplies and unsafe conditions. These types of violations generally require immediate correction or closure of a facility until the violation is corrected.
Blue Violations (Non-critical)
Blue violations are violations which generally do not cause injury or illness. These types of violations however can negatively affect the operation of an establishment. Many of these types of violations are related to the design and maintenance of any particular facility and also evaluate the cleanliness of establishments. Some types of blue violations may not seem critical in nature but they are documented during inspections to alert the operator that there are issues that need to be addressed.
The following links will allow you to view the sanitary code for each program area.
Campgrounds
Mobile Home Parks
Children’s Camps
Public Water Supply
Food Service Establishments
Public Swimming Pools/Beaches
Tanning Facilities
Temporary Residences
Temporary Food Establishments
Mobile Food Service Establishments
Agricultural Fairgrounds
If you have any questions concerning the results of an inspection posted on this website or questions concerning a specific violation please contact Environmental Health staff at 315-539-1945. Our staff is eager to explain and educate both consumers and operators the various regulations and safeguards designed to protect Public Health.
