Roles of an Environmental Health Officer in Planning

Roles of an Environmental Health Officer in Planning

 

Normally, environmental health officers are assigned by local government to advice on and enforce to the different communities the public health standards in their households and places.    Many of the health officers are employed in the private organizations and in the military service.  Furthermore, the most enthusiastic part of being environmental health officer is that the assigned person has the great opportunity to take charge for the planning, coordination and development of the workplace, in terms of strategies.    The role of this person is to provide advice on the important health strategies that are vital to prevent health hazards in a community.  Primarily, this person’s responsibility is to lead on the planning, coordinating and implementing control   strategy programs for sanitation and hygiene, in order to reduce the adverse health problems in the   households, different communities, workplace and the entire environment.  He or she is in charge of checking up the water safety, food safety, epidemiological studies, occupational hygiene, waste control management, vector control, emergency management, workplace assessments and radiological evaluations. 

(http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airforce/jobs/EnvironmentalHealthOfficer/)

Moreover, the areas of employment of the Environmental Health Officers are normally in health support environments.  They commonly help the Defense Operations both local and abroad.  Most of the time, they are carrying out their tasks with minimum supervision from the higher ranks. Relatively, their working conditions are hazardous, that they need to wear personal protective devices in order to do their duties in the field.  They are also helping the ADF operations and disaster relief coordinating agencies during emergency cases such as typhoon, floods, and earthquakes along with other unexpected calamities that many people need all kinds of support from the government sector.  In the same manner, the Environmental Health Officers in the Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve are well trained officers readily prepared for their major roles as one of the Air Forces Operational Units. They are responsible in the health squads and detachment departments, as well as in the higher command headquarters, expeditionary and in-situ combat support teams.  In Australia, ENVH are assigned to Reserve squadrons that organize their trainings and employment either in squadron or in ADF unit. They have the same duties, plus to manage the impact of military operations or activities in the environment. 

(http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airforce/jobs/EnvironmentalHealthOfficer/)

Correspondingly, the Environmental Health Officers are the one who make sure that all high risk food businesses in the city are subject to investigation by them. They are required to inspect the premises of various food businesses such as restaurants, hotels, fast foods, kiosks, coffee shops among others   must be complied with the environmental health standards. Most officers from the Public Protection Service come on a routine visit announced or surprised visit due to complaints from the customers.   Being authorized by the government, they have the right to enter and inspect food premises during operational hours.  The officers are expected to be polite during their visits.  They are   providing the information about the food inspections law about food businesses in different areas. In view there of, the environmental health officers provide advice and help to food businesses to be informed and aware of the food safety laws and maintain a high level of food hygiene in the entire premises.  Similarly, if problems and complaints arise or something must be addressed in the business area, the enforcing authority can initiate action as needed, and in accordance with the environmental health policy. Besides, environmental health officers are the one who investigate food poisoning cases and give precautionary control measures to the community in order to prevent the incident to happen again. As a result, a food sample will be subjected to microbiological testing in the government health agency.  More than that, the EHO must be working closely with the local food businesses, to be able to ensure proper compliance with the establishments with the environmental health laws.

(http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/business/4271.html)

In addition, the Environmental Health Officers are in charge of reviewing vital information about the food businesses.  Every officer has the duty to know the scope of the business.   They must ensure that the food legislation is applied properly in every food establishment.  The officer is responsible for explaining the procedures and processes of food regulatory law among food handlers, contractors, proprietors and managers.  At the end of the inspection, the environmental health officer should discuss any sanitary intervention, to be able to correct any wrong food practice in any food business; as well as to recommend   further corrective practice for more improvement in the food establishment. Aside from this area, the EHO is also responsible in assisting different communities about drainage, air pollution, land, water problem and noise pollution in commercial, industrial areas. Likewise, he is also in charge of pest control management, health and safety at work, management control of infectious diseases in his area. (http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/business/4271.html)

References:

(http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airforce/jobs/EnvironmentalHealthOfficer/)

 (http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/business/4271.html)

 

 

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