Health inspectors are the professionals that evaluate variety of public places visited by millions of people every year and ensure they are abiding by the health standards. Public places must meet all the health standards and rules for the safety of people visiting and working in the environments. These public places could be malls, beauty salons, restaurants, hotels, nursing homes, swimming pools, tattoo parlors, and schools etc. This way, the job of a health inspector is a very noble one and also full of responsibilities. Public places, if not kept properly can cause serious harm to the visitors. Factors like filth, pollution and dirt etc can trigger infection and other health hazards. Apart from regular visitors, employees working there are most susceptible to such potentially hazardous environments.
Health inspectors make sure all the health risks are eliminated. They are authorized to take necessary actions to improve the situation. They also work on the complaints and concerns made by the people. Additionally, health inspectors can take punitive measures against the establishments for not abiding by the health guidelines. But before that, they offer advice to the concerned management about the problems and solutions. It is the duty of a health inspector to inform public places about new policies and regulations as regards to health and safety programs. They are also responsible for testing the quality of air and surrounding environment.
To become a health inspector, one must complete an associate or bachelor degree in environmental health, occupational health, public health, safety, or other related subjects. The required qualification is subject to the positions. For example, at some places, a health inspector needs to have a master degree in industrial hygiene or related field. Additionally, they need to get license the requirement of which includes an associate or bachelor degree and passing of written examination. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) offer voluntary certifications in this field. Health inspectors get lots of learning opportunities on the job. Important aspects like inspection procedures and applicable laws etc are taught to them on the job.
Because of increasing public demand for healthy and safe environments, demand for health inspectors is expected to remain good in coming years.
In UK, one must complete a BSc or MSc in environmental health, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). The basic education qualification to get into this course is either NVQs or A-levels. Health inspectors are also known as health and safety awareness officer or health and safety officer in Britain.
In India, there is a course for Sanitary inspector which is of one year duration.
The colleges offering course in this field are:-
Stanley Medical College, Chennai
Industrial Training Centre, New Delhi
Madurai Medical College, Chennai
Madras Medical College, Chennai
Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu
Once the course has been completed, successful candidates can find employment opportunities in government departments like municipal corporations, factories, railways, hospitals or can work in private hospitals.