Environmental Health Officers: Securing Health & Safety behind the Scenes

As we go about our day-to-day activities of doing chores and running errands, going up and down buildings and walking around workplaces, we often forget how dangerous our surroundings can be. One false step on a dilapidated staircase, one tiny leak in your building’s gas line or one speck of mould in your tap as you brush your teeth is all it could take to send you straight to the hospital. Luckily, there are dedicated people we don’t often see who make sure these disasters never happen to us. These silent guards to our health and safety are the Environmental Health Officers.

What are Environmental Health Officers?

Environmental Health Officers (EHO) are those responsible for the development, implementation and enforcement of established occupational health and safety policies in any establishment. They make sure proper measures are taken to ensure health and safety within built and natural environments. Not only do they have to make sure environments pose no threat to health and safety, they also have to make sure that workers are trained and equipped in carrying out safety measures and programs.

The work of EHOs covers several specialisations, including:
• Occupational health and safety
• Food and water safety and safety standards
• Noise control
• Waste management
• Pest control
• Public health
• Environmental protection
• Housing

EHOs work mostly in the office, but they are also tasked to go to sites and business premises in order to check if policies are still being adhered to. They can work for either the government departments and authorities or for private companies and organisations.

EHO Functions and Duties

EHOs have several duties and functions which depend on their specialisation and location. These consist of but are not limited to:
• Routine health and safety inspections
• Investigation of food safety complaints
• Investigation of workplace accidents
• Investigation and prevention of outbreaks of infectious diseases
• Checking premises for compliance to safety regulations
• Monitoring levels of air, noise, water and land pollution and radiation
• Acting as company spokespersons during government health inspections and hearings
• Giving health and safety advice for new buildings
• Arranging licences for animal-related businesses
• Giving talks and trainings to ensure compliance to safety regulations
• Arranging the removal of abandoned vehicles and refuse

Requirements of an EHO

In order to be an EHO, you have to have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in environmental health, safety engineering, industrial engineering, industrial health or occupational health. This should include a background in biology, chemistry, physics and geology. Additional courses on environmental legislation, hydrology, geologic logging, fluid mechanics and hazardous-waste management may be useful as well.

There are several employers that would require EHOs to go through an Associate in Risk Management program, have knowledge of first aide, or have certifications as safety professionals or emergency cardiac care providers.

Easy Access to EHOs

If you’re interested in EHO jobs or are looking for certified EHOs in Brisbane, look no further than Resord Recruitment. Resord Recruitment not only links qualified EHOs to the right companies and the right environmental health officer job, they also make sure that their EHOs are up to date with the latest industry news, training, conferences, workshops, forums and other important environmental health events. To jumpstart your career in environmental health or reach the best EHO for your needs, visit the Resord Recruitment website today at www.resord.com.