Body Art & Tattoo Health Information

Tattoos

The Salem City Health District annually inspect and license tattoo and piercing establishments to ensure safe and sanitary conditions are being maintained. Anyone considering a tattoo or piercing should be aware of the risks and follow certain guidelines when choosing a tattoo or piercing establishment.

Health and Safety Information

If not done properly, tattoos and body piercings can come with serious health side effects. Anyone who is considering a tattoo or body piercing should seriously consider the health risks and the long-term effects associated with tattoos and piercings. You should get a tattoo or piercing from a reputable facility that is licensed and inspected by the local health district.

Employees at licensed establishments are trained to ensure that procedures are done in a way that minimizes the transmission of communicable diseases and the risk of infection. Employees are also required by the state to be trained in first aid, control of transmission of infectious disease, universal precautions against blood-borne pathogens and appropriate aftercare.

Food Program & Inspections

The Environmental Health staff is responsible for licensing and inspection of food service operations and retail food establishments including restaurants, convenience stores, mobile trailers, food vending machines, and temporary food sales at events. Public health sanitarians are responsible for the enforcement and education of the ORC 3717, OAC 3717-1, OAC 3701-21, OAC 901:3-6, OAC 901:3-4.The State of Ohio requires a minimum of one to four inspections per year (depending on type of license).

As of July 1^st 2019, inspection reports conducted by Salem City Health District were made available to the public online at https://healthspace.com/Clients/Ohio/Salem/Web.nsf

Ohio law requires a food service license for anyone who prepares or serves meals or portions of a meal for a charge or required donation. This includes hot or cold sandwiches, pizza, sloppy joes, etc., but generally does not include operations serving only prepackaged soft drinks, popcorn, candy bars, snacks, etc.

How To Obtain A Food Service Operation (FSO) Or Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License?

If a new FSO or RFE is proposed, the owner or operator must first complete a plan review process. A plan review application can be obtained, on-line (below under links and resources), in person or by contacting the Division of Environmental Health Services. Plan reviews must be done on facilities preforming extensive alterations or remodeling also.

Plan Review Form

If plans are determined to be acceptable, the owner or operator will receive a letter of approval and an application for a license to operate from the Salem City Health District. The letter will state any conditions, if any, placed on the facility as part of the review process. A copy of the letter bearing a signature of acceptance must be submitted with the application and fee prior to an opening inspection being conducted by a Division of Environmental Health Services staff member. Also prior to opening inspection written documentation of inspections completed and passes from the following agencies must be submitted to SCHD:

• Zoning approval – Salem City Zoning Department 330-332-4241 (Ext 228)
• Tax information – Salem City Tax Department 330-332-4241 (Ext 225)
• Utility information – Salem City Utilities Department 330-337-8723 (Ext 239)
• Building inspections – Ohio Department of Commerce (Occupancy Permit must be obtained)
• Fire inspections – Salem City Fire Department 330-337-6183
• Plumbing inspections – Columbiana County General Health District 330-424-0272 Ext. 117

In the event of a change in ownership of a FSO or RFE, the new owner must make application and submit a fee for a license to operate prior to conducting any business activities. So long as the type of FSO or RFE remains the same and/or no more than twelve (12) months has passed after the expiration of a license to operate, a plan review process is normally not necessary. However, a plan review process must occur if the type of FSO or RFE is proposed to change and/or more than twelve (12) months has elapsed after the expiration of a license to operate.

To obtain a temporary license, complete the Temporary Food Service Operation or Retail Food Establishment Application.

Food-borne Illness Complaints

We investigate food-borne illness complaints from the public. You may notify us by phone, or in person.

We investigate all food service complaints, unless deemed frivolously per the definition in the Salem City Health District Complaint and Enforcement Manual. A complaint form must be filled out by complainant and received via mail or in person by the Salem City Health District in order for SCHD to investigate a complaint.

Fillable PDF complain form

Links for further information

ODH Food Safety

ODA Food Safety

Columbiana county plumbing

Ohio Department of Commerce

Recreation Licensing & Inspection

Public Swimming Pools & Spas

SCHD licenses and inspects public swimming pools, and spas to ensure safe and sanitary conditions at these facilities. Prior to the issuance of an initial license and annually thereafter, the Division of Environmental Health Services will inspect each public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool to determine whether or not the pool or spa is in compliance with Chapter 3749 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 3701-31 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The Division of Environmental Health Services may inspect a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool at any other time if deemed necessary.

No person shall construct or install, or renovate or otherwise substantially alter a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool until the plans for the pool or spa have been submitted to and approved by the Ohio Department of Health. The plans and approval process does not apply to repairs or ordinary maintenance that do not substantially affect the manner of water re-circulation or basic design of the public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool.

Swimming pools are tested for chlorine or other disinfectant levels, ph, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, water clarity, and other parameters. Facilities are also checked to make sure all equipment is operating properly, required safety equipment is present.

How To Obtain a Pool License?

To begin the plan review process, the owner/operator must submit an application for plan review, all pertinent project-related information and plan review application fee to the Ohio Department of Health. Upon completion of the plan verification inspections by the Ohio Department of Health, the owner/operator can obtain a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool license application in person, by contacting the Division of Environmental Health Services. A license to operate will be issued by the Division of Environmental Health Services upon receipt of a completed license application and license fee.

Any license swimming pool, spas or special use pool, wishing to make alterations from the original approved plan review an Equipment Replacement Notification must be filled out and sent to the Ohio Department of Health prior to making the alteration for approval.

Equipment Replacement Notification Report

ODH

School Inspections

The Salem City Health District is required to inspect both private and public primary and secondary schools, on a semi-annual basis, by The Ohio Revised Code, Section 3707.26. This program is employed to ensure that necessary and routine maintenance programs are implemented and upgraded. In addition, safety issues are addressed as soon as possible to provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment that is conducive to creating an atmosphere for the greatest degree of academic achievement and standards.

Areas of inspection include, but are not limited to: classroom conditions, lighting standards, water supply, toilet and locker room facilities, ventilation systems, insect and rodent control, accident prevention, condition and operation of windows and doors, traffic safety, stairwells and halls, etc.

Public Health Nuisances

SCHD was given authority by the board of health in Ohio Revised Code 3707.01 to the abatement of nuisances with in its jurisdiction. SCHD works closely with the City of Salem Housing Department and the Salem City Fire Department to abate public health nuisance that are considered to be a condition dangerous to life or health of the public.

We investigate all nuisance complaints, unless deemed frivolously per the definition in the Salem City Health District Complaint and Enforcement Manual. A complaint form must be filled out by complainant and received via mail or in person by the Salem City Health District in order for SCHD to investigate a complaint.

Fillable PDF complain form

Vector-Borne Disease

Animal Bites and Rabies

Ohio law requires that all animal bites be reported to the health department so that rabies testing or vaccination can be conducted if needed. Once the health department is notified, a letter is sent to the owner of the animal. It is the owner’s responsibility concerning quarantine and vaccination requirements. Animals that have bitten a human should not be destroyed, but should be quarantined (kept separate from other animals and people) for ten days to check for signs of rabies.

The biting animal must be inspected by a veterinarian at the end of the 10-day quarantine period, and the inspection form must be completed by the veterinarian and submitted with the rabies vaccination report.

If the owner fails to quarantine or vaccinate the animal in accordance with State and Board of Health regulations, fines will be warranted and the City of Salem Law Director will be notified

Rabies, Mosquitoes and Ticks

Each summer, mosquitoes are a familiar biting pest in backyards, parks and campgrounds.  Most are merely a nuisance and not major vectors of disease.  In fact, only a few of the 59 species of mosquitoes in Ohio can transmit disease.  However, the diseases these mosquitoes can carry are very serious ones, such as encephalitis and malaria in humans and heartworm in dogs.  Therefore, it is always advisable to take preventive measures to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites.

SCHD supported the Columbiana County General Health District in its efforts to obtain a grant funded by the Ohio Department of Health for Mosquito surveillance and Control efforts. SCHD environmental health division further collaborates with CCGHD in the placement of equipment and submission of specimens in our jurisdiction.  For more information pertaining to Moquito control measures and disease visit the Ohio Department of Health https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/resources/mosquito-borne-diseases

_Ticks

There are about a dozen species of ticks that have been identified in Ohio.  However, most species are associated with wild animals and are rarely encountered by people.  Three species, the American dog tick, the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick, are among the most likely ticks to be encountered by people or pets.  All three of these species are of significant public health importance and are responsible for nearly all tickborne diseases reported to the Ohio Department of Health.

Diseases spread by ticks are an increasing concern in Ohio and are being reported to the Ohio Department of Health more frequently in the past decade, with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) being the most common.  Other tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are also on the rise.  Though rare, diseases such as tularemia, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) and Powassan virus may also be carried by Ohio ticks.

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/resources/tickborne-diseases

Take action to decrease your risk of infection.  Wear repellent containing up to 30 percent DEET, check your body daily for ticks and limit your exposure to ticks and tick habitats.

For more information pertaining to Tick control measures and disease, visit the Ohio Department of Health at:

ODH Vectorborne Disease Surveillance Update