Environmental health
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Environmental health is concerned with physical, chemical and biological factors that impact on health. It is aimed at preventing disease and creating healthy environments.
[edit] Environmental health professionals
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health are the professional body for environmental and public health and safety. The broad roles of environmental health practitioners can be categorised as:
[edit] Environmental protection
Implementing UK and European laws in relation to air, water, noise, contaminated land and so on. In relation to air pollution control and air quality management, audits and action plans may be undertaken to identify and rectify any problems. The management of noise is a key role within neighbourhood noise disputes.
[edit] Food safety
Ensuring food is stored, handled, prepared and served in a hygienic and safe way:
- Inspections of food businesses.
- Advising businesses and schools on food regulation and hygiene improvement.
- Investigating food complaints.
- Investigating food poisoning cases.
- Issuing hazard warnings if outbreaks occur.
[edit] Health and safety
Offering advice about health and safety in the workplace, safeguarding employees and the public, carrying out visits and inspections looking into health and safety incidents.
[edit] Housing
Monitoring housing standards within rental properties to ensure they are a suitable standard to live in and inspecting facilities such as fire escape routes, smoke alarms, sanitation and so on. If necessary, enforcement action will be taken to secure improvements.
[edit] Public health
Working alongside doctors, health visitors and dieticians to help protect and promote better public health. Human health can be affected by the environment we live in, the job we undertake, the food we consume and the lifestyle we live, as well as diseases.
[edit] Local authority environmental health
Local authority environmental health services are generally administered by the local authority which has a range of responsibilities and the power to prosecute and enforce regulations and legislation.
Typical areas of responsibility include:
- Food hygiene and safety.
- Control of infectious disease.
- Health and safety at work.
- Pollution control.
- Animal welfare.
- Pest control.
- Private water supplies.
- Private sector housing.
- Health promotion.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building regulations.
- CDM.
- Competent person.
- Construction dust.
- Contaminated land.
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
- Designing to reduce the chemical, biological and radiological vulnerability of new buildings (IP 7/15).
- Ergonomics in construction.
- First aider.
- Health and Safety Executive.
- Health and safety inspector.
- Health and safety.
- Human comfort in buildings.
- Local authority.
- Manual handling.
- Mental health.
- Nature and Wellbeing: The Evidence.
- Noise nuisance.
- Occupational health.
- Pollution.
- Public Health Act 1984.
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
- Wellbeing.
- Work at height regulations.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..