Environmental and occupational health inspectors and associates

Environmental and occupational health inspectors and associates investigate the implementation of rules and regulations relating to environmental factors that may affect human health, safety in the workplace, and safety of processes for the production of goods and services. They may implement and evaluate programs to restore or improve safety and sanitary conditions under the supervision of a health professional.

Duties and tasks

• Advising employers’ and workers’ representatives on the implementation of governmental and other rules and regulations concerning occupational safety and the working environment
• Inspecting places of work to ensure that the working environment, machinery and equipment conform to governmental and other rules, regulations and standards related to sanitation and/or occupational and environmental health and safety
• Giving advice on environmental sanitary problems and techniques
• Inspecting places of work and, by interviews, observations and other means, obtaining information about work practices and accidents to determine compliance with safety rules and regulations
• Inspecting areas of production, processing, transport, handling, storage and sale of products to ensure conformity with governmental and other rules, regulations and standards
• Advising enterprises and the general public on the implementation of governmental and other rules and regulations concerning hygiene, sanitation, purity and grading of primary products, food, drugs, cosmetics and similar goods
• Inspecting establishments to ensure that they conform to governmental and other rules and regulations concerning emission of pollutants and disposal of dangerous wastes
• Initiating action to maintain or improve hygiene and prevent pollution of water, air, food or soil
• Promoting preventive and corrective measures such as control of disease-carrying organisms and of harmful substances in the air, hygienic food handling, proper disposal of waste and cleaning of public places
• Estimating quantities and costs of materials and labour required for health, safety and sanitation remediation projects