Environmental Health Officers

Environmental Health Officers develop, enforce and evaluate environmental health policies, programs and strategies to improve health outcomes, and oversee the implementation and monitoring of environmental health legislation.

What the job involves

• Develops, implements and reviews environmental health management plans and occupational health and safety plans

• Prepares and implements plans and strategies for the safe, economic and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes

• Advises on and enforces relevant legislation

• Implements prevention programs and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, waste water treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality and any contaminated or hazardous substances

• Works to minimise air, sea, water and noise pollution to improve health outcomes

• Identifies hazards, assesses and controls risks in the workplace

• Develops, implements and monitors programs minimising workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical and physical hazards

• Promotes ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees

• Inspects and audits workplaces, processes, plant, chemical and physical hazards for legislative compliance

• Trains employees in personal protective equipment and safe working procedures

• Records and investigates injuries and equipment damage, as well as reporting on safety performance

• Co-ordinates the return of injured workers into the workplace