ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
S70.30
Revised 10-07
Environmental Health and Safety
335-3041
AUTHORITY
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is responsible for enforcing food service safety and sanitation regulations at WSU facilities in Whitman County to prevent foodborne illnesses. (WAC 246-215) Outside of Whitman County, the local health department is responsible and Statewide EH&S Services provides assistance.
REPORTING COMPLAINTS/EMERGENCIES
Refer concerns, complaints, or suspected illnesses about a food product or a campus food service establishment to EH&S for prompt investigation.
During Regular Working Hours
In Whitman County, contact EH&S; telephone 509-335-3041.
Outside of Whitman County, contact the local health department.
During Off-Hours for Complaints
In Whitman County, contact the Facilities Operations dispatcher; telephone 509-335-9000.
Outside of Whitman County, contact the local health department.
During Off-Hours for Emergencies
In Whitman County, dial 911.
Outside of Whitman County, dial 911 or contact the local health department.
ROLE OF EH&S
EH&S has developed food service safety and sanitation policies and enforcement procedures for all WSU facilities.
Services
EH&S performs the following services:
- Conducts food worker card classes/examinations in accordance with WAC 246-217.
- Conducts training for WSU food service managers and workers.
- Routine inspections of food service establishments at WSU facilities in Whitman County.
- Investigations of suspected foodborne illnesses.
- Reviews plans and specifications for new and remodeled facilities and equipment.
- Notifies WSU establishments of new regulations, food recalls, and other pertinent information.
PERMITS, EXEMPTIONS, AND VARIANCES
In order to serve food for public events at WSU facilities, food service permits, permit exemptions, or variances may be required. Such requirements are in effect regardless of whether or not there is a charge for the food.
In Whitman County, EH&S issues temporary food service permits, permit exemptions and variances. Outside of Whitman County, contact Statewide EH&S Services for more information.
For more information, permit applications, etc., select the WSU Food Event Procedures link from the EH&S website at:
Types
Temporary Permits
Temporary food service establishment permits are required for temporary establishments operating at fixed locations with fixed menus for not more than:
- Twenty-one consecutive days in conjunction with single events, or
- Three days in a week in conjunction with recurring events.
Annual Permits
Annual permits are required for permanent establishments.
Catering/Mobile
Catering/mobile permits are required for establishments that operate at various WSU locations throughout the year.
Permit Exemptions
In order to serve certain foods (e.g., popcorn, roasted nuts), an Application for Exemption from Permit is required, rather than a permit. Contact EH&S, the local health department, or see WAC 246-215-191 for more information.
Variances
EH&S and/or local health departments may issue variances from permit requirements when no health hazard will result from the variance.
In Whitman County
EH&S issues temporary food service permits and waivers; telephone 335-3041 for assistance.
EH&S assists departments with obtaining annual and mobile/catering permits from the Whitman County Health Department; telephone 335-3041.
Temporary Permit and Exemption Applications, and Variances
Contact EH&S for temporary food service establishment permit and permit exemption application forms and variance requirements or go to the EH&S website at:
Select WSU Food Event Procedures from the links in the left column.
Submit temporary permit and permit exemption applications to EH&S at least ten working days prior to commencement of temporary food service activities. NOTE: If EH&S does not receive applications in a timely fashion, organizations may not be permitted to serve some or all of the foods.
Outside Whitman County
Outside of Whitman County, contact the statewide EH&S representative for the area. The representative coordinates the process
of obtaining the proper permits from the local health department. To locate the area's statewide EH&S representative, select the Off Campus link on the EH&S website at:
FOOD WORKER CARDS AND EXAMINATIONS
Requirements
The Department of Health requires all food workers to attend classes and pass food worker examinations. See below.
Availability
Food Worker Cards are available from EH&S in Whitman County, as well as from all county health departments in the state.
EH&S offers monthly classes and examinations. See below.
EH&S offers monthly food worker classes and examinations. Classes are also offered at the Whitman County Health Department in Colfax. Individuals must preregister for the health department classes; telephone 509-397-6280.
To view the EH&S schedule of classes and examinations, see the EH&S website at:
Select Training, then
Select Upcoming Training Schedule, then
Scroll to Public Health/Air and Water Quality Training, Food Worker Card Mass Exams.
Within a week after a class, EH&S mails a food worker card to each individual who passes the examination. EH&S mails the card to the individual's WSU department (if applicable) or to the individual's home address.
Within 24 hours after a class, EH&S posts a list on the EH&S website of those individuals who have passed the examination. (NOTE: Individuals are identified by examination receipt number, rather than name.) See the EH&S website at:
Select Training, then
Select Test Results for Food Worker Card Mass Exams.
Fee
There is a fee to take the food worker card examination, payable in cash only.
See the EH&S Upcoming Training Schedule webpage (see above) or contact the local health department for current fee costs.
Permanent or Catering/Mobile Establishments
All food service workers in permanent or catering/mobile establishments must have a current Washington State Food and Beverage Service Worker's Permit (Food Worker Card).
Temporary Establishments
For temporary establishments, refer to the EH&S website for Food Worker Card requirements. Go to:
Select WSU Food Event Procedures from the links in the left column.