Public Health Inspector

What is a Public Health Inspector?

As a public health inspector (PHI), Leanne works to protect the health and safety of the community, including the most vulnerable residents: children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly. When addressing public health concerns, PHIs use their knowledge and expertise to assess risk, and their communication skills to educate, inform and guide the public to protect their health.

Food premises are inspected for potential health hazards and compliance with the food premises regulation.

 

To protect the safety of bathers, public swimming pools are inspected to ensure they are being operated in accordance with the public pools regulation.	Water meters at public swimming pools are checked to ensure enough fresh water is being added.	Personal services settings are inspected to ensure service providers are following proper infection prevention and control measures.

 

Inspecting a water treatment system for a food premises serviced by a private well.

Good hand washing practices help prevent the spread of infections.	Dishwashers in food premises are checked to ensure that washing and sanitizing is done at the correct temperatures and with the correct sanitizers.	Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn for some types of inspections.

A typical day in the life as a Public Health Inspector:

Every day is different for Leanne. To protect the public from health hazards, PHIs inspect beauty and body art salons, food premises, public pools and spas, small drinking water systems, day nurseries, recreational camps, arenas, public bathing beaches, and more. PHIs investigate animal biting incidents to prevent and control the spread of rabies.  

Private on-site sewage systems are inspected to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.