2006 - 2007
Syllabus

Adequate and accurate information is vital to the operation of a health department. Virtually every activity produces valuable information. This is especially true with regard to the regulatory function of a environmental health agency. The conduct of surveys, inspections and investigations produce qualitative and quantitative information through observations, sampling and testing. Another major source of information, for some programs, is the records and reports which a regulated industry may be required to keep and make available to the regulatory agency.

In this lesson we will explore some of the legal issues surrounding the gathering, management, retention and disclosure of information.

Lesson Objectives

This lesson is intended to provide the student with the information and materials necessary to:

1. Know the types of information required to document a problem or condition,
2. Be able to explain the major techniques and processes routinely used by environmen-tal health practitioners to obtain information; and,
3. Describe the proper usage of the subpoena duces tecum and the procedures for obtaining one.

Lesson Assignment

1. Grad: Chapter 14 -- Obtaining Information, pp. 265-287.
2. Buck: Chapter 5 -- Controlling Pollution and Hazardous and Toxic Substances, pp. 80 - 112.
3. Statutes & Regulations:
   • Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA, Secs. 702-704 (21 USC 372-374)).
   • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA, Secs. 3004-3005 (42USC 6924-6925).
   • Local Health Departments (70.05 RCW Secs. 05.090).
   • Solid Waste Management (70.95 RCW Secs. 95.080-090, 260-263).
   • Solid Waste Handling (173-304 WAC Secs. 200, 405, 460).
   • Food Service Sanitation (248-84 WAC Sec. 095).
   • King Co. Food Code, Parts 94 & 95 (King Co. Board of Health No. 2).
   • King Co. Solid Waste Regulations, Part III Sec. 2 (King Co. Board of Health No. 8).
     
4. Required Readings:
   • Reading #11 - U.S. v. Tivian Laboratories, Inc., 589 F.2d. 49 (1978).
   • Reading #12 - U.S. v. Ouelette, 11 ERC 1350 (1977)
   • Reading #13 - General Motors Corp. v. Director of NIOSH, 636 F.2d. 163 (1980).

Lesson Outline

1. What Information
   1. Required Records/Data
   2. Evidence
   3. Inappropriate Information
2. Obtaining Information
   1. Voluntary Disclosure
   2. Compulsory Disclosure
3. Methods
   1. Observations
   2. Tests and Samples
   3. Subpoena duces tecum
   4. Industry records

Lecture Slides

References / Additional Readings

1. Gellhorn E, Levin RM. Introduction, Administrative Law and Process in a Nutshell, West Publishing Co., 1990, pp. 1-7
2. Freedman, Ben, "The History of the Sanitarian and Chronology of Events in Sanitary Hygiene", Chapter II in The Sanitarian's Handbook [4th Ed.], Peerless Publishing Co., New Orleans, 1977, pp. 1-12.
3. Freedman, Ben, "Public Health and the Sanitarian's Work", Chapter III in The Sanitarian's Handbook [4th Ed.], Peerless Publishing Co., New Orleans, 1977, pp. 21-34.
4. Salvato, Joseph A., "Administration", Chapter 12 in Environmental Engineering and Sanitation [3rd Ed.], J. Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1982, pp. 1026-1089.
5. Grad, Frank P., "An Effective Enforcement Program", American Journal of Public Health, 1969, 59(6):947-952.

For Extended Degree Students Only

Key Points

Progress Assessment Exercise

Please proceed to Lesson 6. Inspections and Investigations