From: Udo Nwachuku

To:
Cc: Marina Bernstein
Subject: FW: DSE Instructions for 3/26 - 3/27
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2020 9:26:15 AM

FYI

From: Scott Abbott <sabbott@ph.lacounty.gov>

Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:38 AM
To:

Cc:

Subject:

Chiefs,

Beginning on 3/26, the following instructions are in place for DSE offices:

1. Investigation of complaints at food facilities. Conduct a routine inspection, if needed

(past 60 days).
 2. Investigation of complaints of food facilities violating the HOO.
3. Conducting routine Inspections of Retail Food Facilities.
5.    Ensure documentation for all investigations are completed daily within EC and
emailed/mailed to the food facilities.
Priority assignments are just that, a priority and must be completed accurately and timely.
Chiefs are required to review all entered complaints/OIRs on a daily basis for accuracy.
Environmental Health Technicians shall:

1. Complete priority assignments such as correcting DTARS for a field activity with a
result/action code combination of 00/00 and correcting the Complaint Priority of Health
Officer Order (HOO) complaints to 6=Health Officer Order.

2. Investigate emergency complaints at animal food stores, and self-service laundries.

3. Investigate complaints of massage establishments (non-essential), laundromats, and dry

cleaners (both essential) for violations of the HOO and critical violations.

4. Identify, contact, and survey the same businesses to inform them of the HOO.
The CIUs shall:

1. Complete priority assignments such as correcting DTARS for a field activity with a
result/action code combination of 00/00 and correcting the Complaint Priority of Health
Officer Order (HOO) complaints to 6=Health Officer Order.

2. Issue 21 day letter for all non emergency complaints at SFDs and MFDs.
3. Investigate emergency complaints at single family homes and multi-family homes. Prior
to entering, ask the occupants if anyone residing there has a fever or cough, is under
self quarantine, or traveled to a country with travel restrictions due to coronavirus. Do
not enter if they answer yes.

4. Conduct complaint investigations of non-permitted, essential and non-essential retail

businesses for violations of the HOO, such as hardware stores, office supply stores,
hobby and craft stores, fabric stores.
Chiefs shall call team members in the field to inform them of any emergency complaints. If
necessary, the inspector shall call the office back to obtain the information once they are
located in an area they can safely document the complaint information.

Complaints at hair and nail salons, barber shops, and spas will be investigated by the
Body Art Program.
Complaints at tobacco stores will be investigated by the Cannabis Program.
Complaints at auto dealers, auto service centers, indoor and outdoor playgrounds,
bowling alleys, golf courses, country clubs, and other recreational activities will be
investigated by the Environmental Protection Branch.
Routine Inspections and complaint investigations shall be conducted in a manner that
minimizes any risk by practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing while in a acility.
This includes:

1. Carrying your thermocouple, flashlight, test strips, and a note pad and pen into the
facility. Laptop computers and printers may be stored securely in trunk.
2. Copies of the HOO along with necessary signage can be left in the car along with other
tools, for retrieval when needed.
3. Asking the operator whether any employees are or have exhibited signs of illness,
including a cough or fever. If any employees are currently experiencing symptoms,
advise the Person in Charge (PIC) to send them home. Indicate as a major violation and
if they do not send the employee home, then it could be a closure. This requires
dialogue with EHM & BD.
4. Wash your hands prior to beginning the inspection, during the inspection after
contacting surfaces or whenever potential contamination has occurred and at the
conclusion of the inspection.
5. Practice social distancing when speaking with employees and while conducting the
inspection.
6. Take notes of the inspection findings including name and address of the facility, name of
the PIC, time in and out, mileage, and all observations. Do not take notes for more than
one facility on the same page.
7. Discuss the findings with the PIC, inform them that you will prepare the report and send
it the following morning, and obtain an email address. If the facility requires closure,
EHS is to go nearest office to complete the report, sync and deliver report to the food
facility.
8. If a compliance review is required, the EHS is to contact the Chief to schedule a
compliance review call with the owner/representative. The owner/representative
should provide a contact phone number to discuss the closure.
9. If required, retrieve a new grade card or closure sign from your car and post at the
facility.
10. At the conclusion of the inspection, wash your hands and take some extra paper towels to
utilize when opening doors as you exit the facility.
11. Complete the inspection report the following morning in the office (or telework
location). Email or mail the completed report to the facility.
Please contact your Manager if you have any questions.

Scott Abbott, REHS, MPA

Branch Director, District Surveillance and Enforcement
County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health
Environmental Health