Environmental Programs

James E. Whisman, RS
Environmental Program Manager
(606) 668-3185

The environmental staff is responsible for administration and enforcement of environmental health laws in regard to the following program areas:

Boarding Homes

KRS 216B provides for the regulation and inspection of Boarding Homes by the health department. For additional information please contact the health department in your county.

Body Piercing and Ear Piercing

Kentucky law requires that non-medical persons who engage in or carry on any business of piercing register with the local health department and comply with regulatory requirements. Additional information is available at any of our seven county health departments or the district office.

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.

Food Service Program

(PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE PROCEEDING)

The food service program is designed to assure that safe, wholesome food is served to the public in clean, sanitary surroundings. There are approximately 300 food service establishments (including restaurants, school cafeterias, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, delicatessens, ice cream shops, bars, and bed and breakfast) in the Kentucky River District. Temporary concessions are inspected and permitted each year.  Food Service establishments are inspected a minimum of twice annually with follow-up inspections and enforcement actions initiated when warranted.  Routine classes are conducted throughout the district to train food service personnel. The cost for food handlers is $30 and for food managers it is $75. These certifications are good for a 3 year period.

The Kentucky River District requires all food handlers to become certified food employees.

It is EASY to get certified! Go Online!  You can take the training and test at https://ky-krdhd.statecert.com/

Upon opening the website:*
Click the Blue “Create An Account” button
Enter your information and receive a confirmation email
Confirm your email address by clicking in the email
Select “Get New License”
Select “Food Manager Certification” $75 or “Food Employee Certification” $30
Take the course and test then print your certificate and also receive an electronic certificate!

*Each individual shall register with their own name, information, email, and password.

This program is most compatible with Google Chrome and Firefox browsers.

COMING SOON: An R-code will be available for establishments to purchase multiple licenses and distribute to employees to register and take the course.

Hotel-Motel Program

There are 24 establishments in this category in the Kentucky River District. Inspections are conducted annually using a 100 point inspection form. Follow-up inspections are conducted or enforcement action initiated on any establishment scoring below 85 or having any critical item violations.

Kentucky’s “Farmers Market” Regulation

Under HB 391, individuals holding a valid registration and/or certification document, obtained through the health department, can prepare some explicitly named food items in their home kitchen for later sales at restricted locations. Please contact your local health department for more information.

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 comply with Kentucky Regulations.

Nuisance Control

Nuisance complaints received by the health department usually involve sewage, garbage, or unsanitary conditions. The name of the complainant is kept confidential. Most complaints are resolved administratively; however, court action is sometimes necessary to gain compliance.

Onsite Sewage Disposal

As of January 1, 2020, holding tanks will no longer be permitted to be installed on the initial on-site sewage disposal system (septic system) for residential use in the seven counties of The Kentucky River District. This includes Letcher, Knott, Perry, Leslie, Lee, Wolfe, and Owsley.

The health department conducts site evaluations, issues permits to install and does final inspections for all new on-site sewage systems that are to be installed. We also do existing system inspections which are usually done when someone is needing to get electricity hooked up to an existing structure or, when moving in a mobile home onto a lot with an existing system.

Electrical Releases

All inhabitable structures must have an approved sewage disposal system (municipal or on-site) before an electrical release can be issued.

Certified Sewer Installers

All persons wishing to install and repair on-site sewage systems for the public must be certified through the state by taking an exam at their local health department. To keep their certification current they must get 6 CEU’s per year through classes given by the local health departments or other approved trainings. The cost for the initial test is $25.00 and the cost for recertification is $50.00. Installers must also have liability insurance. The recommended amount is $300,000.00

Private Water Supplies

Private water supplies are sampled on request and sent to the state lab for bacteriological analysis. The test conducted is for coliform bacteria which is an indication of possible sewage contamination of the water supply. Information on treating the water is available from the health department. There is a $50.00 fee for this service.

Rabies

The health department investigates all animal biting incidents involving human exposure. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are quarantined for a period of ten days for observation and if they remain healthy are released at the end of this period. Incidents involving other animals are handled on a case by case basis with some laboratory testing of specimens to check for rabies (KRS 258.015 requires that the owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinate the animal at the age of four months and revaccinate at the end of the immunization period.)

Radon Program

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It moves thru the ground to the air above and is trapped in homes and buildings. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The health department provides radon test kits free of charge to the residents of the district. This is made possible through a federal grant and assistance from WYMT-TV and local news media.

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 with an inspection form developed by the state in accordance with FDA guidelines.  Approximately 300 establishments are included in this program.

Schools

The Kentucky River District has 64 schools within the scope of this regulatory program. These schools are inspected semi-annually using a 31 – item checklist covering water supplies, sewage disposal, trash disposal, restroom sanitation, lighting, general sanitation, and health and safety. Scores below 85 require corrective measures and follow – up inspections.

Septic Tank Cleaning

If you would like to become a septic tank pumper, you must be permitted through your local health department.

Swimming Areas

This program covers public swimming pools/spas, and beaches and includes those operated by communities, subdivisions, camps, schools, institutions, parks, mobile home parks, hotels, recreational areas or similar public facilities.  Inspections are conducted twice during the operating season with monitoring inspections conducted on a monthly basis. We have classes available to certify pool operators. These are certifications are required.

Tanning Facilities

A large percentage of tanning bed users are minors below the age of 18 and are unaware of the dangers and harmful effects.  Many tanning bed facilities have no tracking system to know who visits their establishment, how often, and how long they have the beds.

  • Requirements:
    All tanning facilities within the state of Kentucky must register with the local health department.
  • All tanning facilities must pay an annual fee of $20 with registration expiring on December 31st of each year.
  • Parental  consent requirements for patrons under 18 years of age.  Patrons 14 years of age  and younger must also have parental supervision when tanning.
  • Facilities should maintain written or electronic consent forms and records.
  • Facilities must provide protective eyewear to patrons or require the patrons to provide their own.

The tanning facilities regulation is a start in preventing some factors that may contribute to an increased risk of developing melanomas in younger individuals.

Tattoo Studios/Tattoo Artists

Tattoo studios, tattoo artists, and permanent makeup artists operating within the state must comply with Kentucky regulations and obtain a permit for the studio and registration for the artist.  Strict guidelines apply in regard to sanitation and sterilization of instruments.  Compliance with the state plumbing code is also applicable.
http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/food.htm

Youth Camps

There are 11 youth camps in the district. These camps operate during the summer months and are inspected prior to opening and once during the operating season.