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School Health and Safety Program
History of our program
Student health and safety is an important issue to the community and to Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) school program. Our work with the school community is not new; we have conducted K-12 school inspections since the 1950s. Our most recent changes to the school program include the formation of the School Advisory Committee and the addition of a self-inspection program.
School Inspection Program Documents
School Self-Inspection Program
Resources for parents and schools/districts
What we do
- School inspections and reinspections
All public, private and parochial schools (K-12) in Spokane County are inspected periodically for health and safety issues in accordance with Chapter 246-366 WAC. Inspections address subjects such as lighting, ventilation, and general health and safety hazards. Elementary school inspections also concentrate on playgrounds and arts and crafts. Secondary school inspections focus on areas such as science labs and career/technical education. School inspection frequency depends on school participation in our self-inspection program. Participating schools are on a three-year cycle of routine inspection, reinspection, and self-inspection. Schools choosing not to participate are on a two-year cycle of routine inspection and reinspection.
Click here to learn more about our self-inspection program and view a list of participating schools.
- Construction activities
School program staff conduct site evaluations and review plans for proposed school construction projects, including new playground installations. After completion, pre-occupancy inspections are conducted prior to student use.
- Complaint response/illness investigation
School program staff respond to complaints alleging unsafe/unhealthy school conditions.
- Consultation
Consultations are provided to schools on health and safety issues.
- School Advisory Committee
A 10-member committee assists the school program in the development of program-related policies and procedures, including inspection frequency/content and the costs involved, training, compliance recommendations, and the development of educational materials. Representatives from local schools and the community serve on the advisory committee and are the liaisons between SRHD and the school community.
Click here to view a list of current School Advisory Committee members.
- Collaborative workshops
The school program partners with the school community to offer school staff many training opportunities on topics such as science safety, indoor air quality, playground safety, etc.
Who we are
The school program is staffed by two inspectors and a technical advisor, with clerical and management support. All school program staff share time in other programs.
Current schools in our county:
| Total number of schools |
209 |
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144 (14 school districts) |
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52 |
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13 |
| Total number of students |
>72,000; (>69,000 in public schools) |
Other Environmental Health programs are also involved with schools. For example, food
program staff inspect school kitchens and special school events where food is served, and the liquid waste program addresses small on-site sewage disposal systems at schools.
Funding sources
A fee for service is charged for activities such as inspections, reinspections, and construction activities. There is no charge for complaint response, illness investigation, or consultation. The school program is additionally supported by general fund dollars, i.e., state allocation and contributions from Spokane County.
School Inspection Program Documents
General:
Self-Inspection Program:
*Schools conducting self-inspections are not required to submit the Pesticide Use and Bloodborne Pathogens worksheets. They are provided for reference purposes only.
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