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You’ve probably heard of an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) before. The chances are, you’ve even seen the results of their work around your local community. But how much do you actually know about what they do? If you’ve ever been curious about a career as an Environmental Health Officer or you own a business where EHOs may have to visit, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to be providing a detailed insight into the day-to-day duties of an EHO, the roles they play in public health and safety, and in what kind of industries you may come across an Environmental Health Officer.
Although commonly associated with food hygiene and safety, the world of an Environmental Health Officer is in fact incredibly varied. Despite common misconceptions, most Environmental Health Officers will have upwards of 100 different kinds of establishments on their inspection list, which extend far beyond restaurants and catering vans, and can include anything from rented properties and farms to public buildings and care homes. Sometimes known as Public Health Inspectors, EHOs have a huge responsibility in ensuring that protective measures are in place – making sure that public health and safety is upheld across a range of industries.
The daily work of an EHO is diverse, and tasks can vary from one moment to the next depending on the type of business in question. EHOs can be employed by both the private and public sector and are responsible not only for inspecting businesses and properties for risks but they also have an obligation to take action in the event that a health and safety breach has taken place. Here are just some of the main areas where an Environmental Health Officer has responsibility:
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Due to the varied nature of everyday work, there are a number of industries that could come into contact with an Environmental Health Officer, including the following:
Ever wondered what the average day of an Environmental Health Officer looks like? It may surprise you to know that this role involves a host of different duties, including the following:
When it comes to legalities, an Environmental Health Officer has a certain level of power to ensure they can carry out the necessary actions in the case of a health and safety breach. With regards to food hygiene and safety, an EHO has the power to do all of the following:
The amount that a site will be visited by an EHO really depends on the nature of the business, and the severity of the risk. Some establishments may receive a routine visit every six months or so, whilst others may have much more frequent visits where a possible risk is posed. It is important to remember that most Environmental Health Officers will come unannounced. This is to make sure conditions cannot be temporarily altered specifically for the visit, and that they are able to get an accurate idea of the situation.
Typically, an EHO will be hired by the local authority to deal with health and safety complaints. However, there are a number of other employers who may seek out the specialist knowledge of an EHO. These include:
With so many variants on the average day of an EHO, it can be tricky to get an accurate idea of what the role entails. Below are a few examples of scenarios where an Environmental Health Officer would be required.
The take-home message is that although Environmental Health Officers get a bad reputation amongst a range of industries, these specialists train hard to be on top of the health and safety laws required to protect both businesses and the general public. Also, the EHO will publish a rating when visiting food premises. These ratings can be seen by customers on the Food Standards Agency website. Although often misunderstood, most EHOs want to support and educate business owners to improve. They do not aim to shut businesses down and will go above and beyond to provide the tools needed to offer a safe and trustworthy service, regardless of the industry. |