Job Description of a Health Inspector
A health inspector is responsible for ensuring that working environments are safe and secure for the workers, environment, property and general public. The health inspector gets this assurance by testing the air quality, inspecting machinery or equipment and helping businesses design safe working spaces. A health inspector works in different settings, including offices, factories and mines.
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Educational Requirements
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Some health inspectors are required to have a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a related field such as engineering or chemistry. Some positions even require a master's degree in industrial hygiene or a related subject. The type of education required depends on the company or business a health inspector is applying to. Some employment agencies require a health inspector to be certified. Several organizations offer certification, including the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.
Inspecting Equipment
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A health inspector does not just inspect a working environment for safety, but she also helps a business or company increase cost efficiency. A health inspector inspects equipment or machines to ensure the equipment is working properly, which helps an employer avoid downtime resulting from faulty or broken equipment. It also cuts down on insurance premiums and worker's compensation payments, because the health inspector can determine if a machine has the potential to harm an employee operating it.
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Approving Health License
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Health inspectors also work for government officials or agencies; in this capacity, they visit companies, businesses, schools, events, fairs and other places where health can be an issue. The health inspector has the power to approve or withhold approval for the business to operate; he can order a business to fix problems and even shut it down if the problems are extreme or are not addressed. Someone opening a restaurant has to pass a health inspection for equipment, procedures and cleanliness.
Investigating Injuries
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When an employee or other person is injured at a business or on the job, a health inspector can be ordered to investigate the injury. The inspector will determine what caused the injury and whether the injury was related to health violations by the company or business. The health inspector will file a report and might be required to testify in court. In the wake of an injury or disease outbreak, a health inspector might be asked to determine how a recurrence can be avoided.
Different Work Settings
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The job of a health inspector will vary, depending on his work setting. A mine health inspector inspects mines for proper airflow and health hazards caused by the buildup of methane or other noxious gases. Other health inspectors inspect workplaces for health hazards such as asbestos, pesticides, communicable diseases or exposure to lead.
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