HealthWise Inspection Results
The Porcupine Health Unit works to protect your health and prevent illness. Environmental Health ensures owners and operators understand and comply with Ontario regulations. Businesses and facilities that are inspected include campgrounds, public pools and spas, personal service settings, beach testing, as well as restaurants and businesses that sell food. These inspections are a snapshot of daily operations at these establishments and can often vary.
Infection Prevention and Control Investigations
Reports on premises where an infection prevention and control lapse was identified through the assessment of a complaint or referral, or though communicable disease surveillance.
Licensed Child Care Settings
All facilities that offer licensed child care to the public are inspected by the Porcupine Health Unit’s Environmental Health department. Inspections assess: food safety; the environment; hygiene; and infection prevention and control practices.
Personal Service Settings
All personal service settings are inspected by the Porcupine Health Unit’s Environmental Health department. These include, but not limited to: hair salons and barber shops; tattooing, micro-blading, and piercings; spas/massage parlours; manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
Porcupine BeachWise - Beach Sampling Results
During the summer months, Porcupine Health Unit inspection staff monitor the conditions and the water quality of public bathing beaches. Every week, the beach water is tested for Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.
Recreational Camps
All recreational camps are inspected by the Porcupine Health Unit’s Environmental Health department. Recreational camps, also known as summer camps, are inspected according to the Ontario Recreational Camp Regulation. Inspections focus on: food safety; infection prevention and control practices; and waterfront safety.
Recreational Water
All public swimming facilities are inspected by the Porcupine Health Unit’s Environmental Health department. Year-round facilities are inspected at a minimum of four times a year depending on the risk associated with the facility; and seasonal facilities require an inspection prior to opening for the season.
Restaurants & Food Premises
The Porcupine Health Unit is responsible for inspecting food establishments within our jurisdiction, including the City of Timmins and surrounding communities. These inspections are conducted by Public Health Inspectors who work closely with food establishment owners and operators to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Food Premise Regulations.
Skin Cancer Prevention Act – Tanning Beds
Tanning bed facilities are inspected on a complaint basis to ensure that they are complying with the Skin Cancer Prevention Act, 2013. This regulation dictates the prohibition of sale and marketing to anyone under the age of 18 years of age, as well as prescribed signage and protective equipment.
Small Drinking Water Systems
Water that is offered to the public must be safe for consumption; therefore, facilities that are classified as a Small Drinking Water System (SDWS) must comply with the Ontario Small Drinking Water Systems Regulation. The water supply may come from one of the following sources: drilled wells; shallow wells; or surface water (lake or river).
Tobacco and Vapour Products Retailer Convictions
The Porcupine Health Unit is mandated to carry out inspections and respond to complaints regarding retailers to enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017.