The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Environmental Health, Indoor Environments Section houses the School Environmental Health Program.  This program works to improve the environmental health of Ohio’s schools through both regulatory and non-regulatory means.  Staff provide technical assistance and training to local health departments, school personnel and the general public.  In 2006, the Ohio General Assembly passed Substitute House Bill 203, also known as Jarod’s Law.  This bill requires sanitarians from local health departments to conduct annual inspections of the school buildings and associated grounds contained within their jurisdictions to identify health and safety concerns.  As part of this legislation, Ohio Administrative Code chapter 3701-54 was created. This chapter includes the regulations that school buildings must comply with, and that local health departments must enforce during their inspections.   In an attempt to provide additional assistance, ODH created the Ohio School Environmental Health and Safety Inspection Guidance Manual.  This manual provides information regarding the requirements of the regulations as well as additional recommendations that are designed to establish a safe and healthy environment in school buildings throughout the state.  You will find a link to the guidance manual on the left side of this page in addition to other helpful information regarding the School Environmental Health Program.

Announcements:

Update on the School Inspection Program (Jarod's Law)

Sample Inspection Report and Plan of Abatement:
In response to requests from school and local health department personnel, ODH has developed a sample inspection report and plan of abatement.  These documents have been designed to be reference materials, and their contents include some of the most noted violations observed during the inspections conducted over the past year.  You can view these documents by clicking on the following links:
Sample Jarod's Law School Inspection Report
Sample Jarod's Law Plan of Abatement

Equipment Calibration:
Local health departments who wish to have their carbon dioxide meters calibrated can do so by shipping the devices to ODH.  The devices must be shipped, in a manner in which they can be tracked, to the mailing address contained on this page.

If you have questions, please contact program staff through the information listed below.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
School Environmental Health and Safety Program
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556

E-mail: BEH@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated:  8/11/09