Programs within The Office of the Medical Health Officer provide public school inspections, education, tobacco control and licensing services to schools and in-school child care facilities.
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) inspect schools every three years.
Inspections include: food services, water supply, washrooms and change rooms, janitorial rooms, buildings and grounds, pest control, communicable disease control and indoor air quality issues.
Inspections are conducted if complaints are received in the above areas.
Cafeterias and hot lunch programs are inspected at least once a year.
Building plans for new schools and proposals for major renovations to existing schools are reviewed
EHOs work with the school public health nurse to distribute resources such as hand washing posters.
In gastrointestinal outbreaks an EHO provides advice regarding appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols, possible lab testing and recommendations of when students or staff can return to school or the childcare facility.
Foodsafe™ Level One certificates are issued through the Environmental Health office to high school students who have successfully completed the basic food safety course taught by school staff who are certified Foodsafe™ instructors.
Healthy Safe Food at School
For more information, visit the environmental health restaurant & food safety pages.
The Tobacco Reduction Program initiates and supports programs related to smoking cessation, smoking prevention and protection from second hand smoke. Learn more about tobacco control.
Protects young people by reducing their access and exposure to tobacco products through retailers and advertising. Contact Tobacco Control enforcement if you know a retailer selling tobacco to youth under the age of 19.
Supports Smoke Free Policy of School Districts 44 and 45:
Child care licensing officers inspect in-school child care programs a minimum of once a year to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the children.
Licensing officers work with the school public health nurse to distribute resources and posters.
Learn more about child care licensing.