Did you ever think that the design of a restaurant kitchen can make a difference in how safe your dining experience may be? Annette Nicholls knows this. She’s worked in Plan Review at the Fairfax County Health Department for more than 20 years. Annette knows that if a hand sink is placed where employees prepare, cook and serve food, it can impact how often kitchen staff wash their hands – which is the best way to prevent food borne illness.

Before a new restaurant can open in Fairfax County, whether a new build or taking over a prior restaurant’s space, plans must be submitted for review and approval. This allows Environmental Health staff to review plans to ensure the design maximizes food safety.  For example, reviewers evaluate if the water heater is correctly sized so hot water is always available during operation, hand sinks are appropriately located, enough hot and cold holding units are provided to keep food at proper temperatures, and appropriate finishes are used for easy cleaning. 

Annette noted that Plan Review consists of a close collaboration among the reviewers, architects, and owners to provide a well-designed, cost effective, and safe environment.  “Proper design is one of the keys to food safety,” said Annette. “A well-designed kitchen with the correct placement of hand sinks, prep sinks, approved finishes, adequate dry storage space, refrigerators and freezers, all contribute to an environment that provide safe food to the public.”

In addition to reviewing plans for restaurants, grocery stores that provide dine-in areas, food trucks, and breweries and wineries, Annette also has a hand in the design of swimming pools, spas, and saunas. 

While a pool is under construction, Annette does a site visit called a plumbing pipe layout inspection. It is during this inspection where Annette will conduct a pipe pressure test to ensure the right size pipes for skimmers, returns, main drains, and other accessory piping are installed according to submitted plans. “This inspection can often be a muddy and somewhat precarious adventure traversing across a large hole over mounds of dirt and makeshift wooden walkways,” said Annette.

And if ever wondered why you must walk through the bathhouse when visiting a pool, it’s to encourage you to use the restroom and shower before entering the pool. “We don’t want your urine, lotion, or sweat to contaminate the pool, thus reducing the effectiveness of the sanitizer,” said Annette.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Annette attended the University of Miami on a full scholarship majoring in Marine Science and Marine Biology.  Shortly after graduating, Annette returned to Trinidad to work as a fisheries officer managing an aquaculture unit. But it wasn’t too long before she ultimately made the decision to immigrate to the United States, moving to New York City.
Finding a job in fisheries was more challenging in the Big Apple, so Annette took a job working as a Sanitarian for the New York City Health Department. Her first assignment: Rikers Island. 

“We wore big badges which were similar to those that were worn by the commissioner, which afforded me some respect from the prisoners and thus made my life a bit easier as I traveled the halls,” said Annette. “There were a total of five inspectors or sanitarians as we were called, for the 10 facilities on the island. We inspected the kitchens, checked air temperatures and air quality in the cells, we also reviewed medications of patients with TB [tuberculosis] to ensure there were no contraindications with other medicines… we were very much generalists.”  Annette shared that initially working on Rikers Island was scary, then mundane, except when they had total lockdowns and could not leave for hours.

Getting her start at the New York City Health Department helped prepare Annette for coming to Fairfax County and working in a male dominated field. Over the years, not only has Annette witnessed her department become more diverse, but she’s also seen the change occur within the county.

“Working in Plan Review has provided me with the unique opportunity of interacting with people from diverse background and cultures,” said Annette. “My understanding and appreciation of the broader community has greatly expanded – and that’s what I love – it is never dull, and I get to see it all!” 

This story is shared in honor of National Women's History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, declared the theme for 2023 as “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”