Food
Hotels/Massage
Pools/Campgrounds
Body Art/Food
Complicated Complaints
100

A customer reports seeing a mouse run across the dining room floor during dinner. They posted a video on social media.

  • What information do you gather before the inspection?
  • What areas do you inspect?
  • What records would you review?
  • Does one mouse sighting automatically warrant enforcement?
100

A client reports that massage tables are not being cleaned and sheets are reused between customers.

  • What evidence would you seek?
  • What observations would support or refute the complaint?
  • What public health risks are involved?
100

A parent reports that a public pool is "green and cloudy" but remains open.

  • What immediate concerns exist?
  • What tests should be performed?
  • Under what circumstances would closure be warranted? 
100

An employee reports food is being held for hours without temperature control.

  • What records would you review?
  • What observations would you make?
100

A customer reports seeing rats in a restaurant but provides no details. Inspection reveals no evidence.

  • Is the complaint unfounded?
  • How should the inspection be documented?
  • Would follow-up be warranted?
200

A complaint alleges that three family members developed vomiting and diarrhea after eating at a local restaurant.

What additional information is needed?

200

A guest reports waking up covered in bites and claims the room has bed bugs.

  • What observations would you make?
  • What documentation should the hotel provide?
  • What constitutes sufficient evidence?
200

A caller states the pool has no lifeguards on duty despite signs advertising a lifeguarded pool.

  • Is this a health department issue?
  • What regulations apply?
  • How would you proceed? 
200

A nursing home experiences a water interruption but continues normal operations.

  • What immediate concerns exist?
  • What contingency plans should be reviewed?
  • What operational restrictions may be necessary? 
200

A caller complains that a hotel's air conditioning is not working and rooms are uncomfortable.

  • Is this a health department issue?
  • If not, who may have authority?
  • How would you respond to the complainant?
300

An anonymous employee reports that workers are required to work while sick because management is short-staffed.

  • How would you investigate?
  • What evidence could support the allegation?
  • What observations might indicate a broader issue?
300

A guest alleges black mold is growing throughout a hotel room.

  • What falls within your authority?
  • What conditions would concern you?
  • How would you distinguish staining from mold growth?
300

Several campers complain that the campground water smells like sulfur and tastes strange.

  • What records should be reviewed?
  • What testing may be necessary?
  • How do you assess risk? 
300

A customer claims they developed an infection after receiving a tattoo.

  • What records should be reviewed?
  • What practices should be evaluated?
  • Can causation be established?
300

An inspector receives a Facebook message showing a photograph of food stored on the floor at a restaurant.

  • Is a photograph sufficient evidence?
  • What additional information is needed?
  • How should anonymous online complaints be handled? 
400

A video circulating online shows a cook handling raw chicken and then preparing sandwiches without washing hands.

  • How much weight should be given to the video?
  • What if the video was recorded six months ago?
400

A complainant alleges staff are living inside the massage establishment.

  • Does this affect public health?
  • What regulations might apply?
  • How would you investigate?
400

Campers report sewage flowing across campsites after heavy rain.

  • What hazards exist?
  • What observations are needed?
  • What corrective actions might be required? 
400

An anonymous caller claims artists are reusing needles.

  • What would be your inspection priorities?
  • What evidence would support the allegation?
400

Over two months, five separate complaints are received about sanitation issues at the same facility.

  • Does complaint history affect your response?
  • Would you alter inspection frequency?
  • What enforcement considerations arise? 
500

A customer complains that chicken served at a restaurant was undercooked.

  • What facts would you gather?
  • What temperatures and procedures would you evaluate?
500

Several guests complain that the hotel has had no hot water for three days.

  • How would you verify the complaint?
  • What health concerns exist?
  • What corrective actions would be expected?
500

A patron reports seeing staff remove a fecal accident from the pool and immediately reopen it.

  • What information would you collect?
  • What procedures should have been followed?
  • How would you verify compliance?
500

An anonymous caller alleges numerous violations at a restaurant. During the inspection, the manager states the caller is a recently terminated employee.

  • Does the source affect your investigation?
  • How do you evaluate credibility?
  • How do you document findings?
500

A caller insists a restaurant should be shut down immediately because they found a hair in their food.

  • What is the actual public health risk?
  • How do you manage expectations?
  • What would warrant closure?
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