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What does a Health Inspector do?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A health inspector is a trained professional who can perform many different types of jobs and work in a variety of environments. Many jobs available are those through government agencies (municipal, state or federal) that involve assessing safety of workplaces both for employees and for consumers that might use them and/or purchase any product produced by a workplace. A second set of work opportunities is available in the form of private consultancies. A number of companies hire a health inspector consultant to make sure that the company complies with all laws governing safe work environment or to get advice from the consultant on how to increase worker safety.

Under most circumstances the health inspector has trained for his/her job by getting an undergraduate degree. Two majors that may be considered are biology or chemistry, but another major growing in popularity is occupational health and safety. The person who wants to become an inspector must also study and be able to pass tests on municipal, state or federal standards that would apply in a specific work area. A person inspecting restaurants, for instance, would have to be able to identify compliance with health and safety standards, and those primarily working in the areas of worker safety at a factory, would need to know all guidelines for worker safety and safe handling of hazardous materials. Since these guidelines periodically change, the health inspector is likely to require continuing education to understand the changes.

Many businesses hire health inspectors to make sure they are meeting standards.
Many businesses hire health inspectors to make sure they are meeting standards.

The consultant health inspector may work alone or for a consultancy company, and could have areas of specialization. He or she will travel to companies that require consultancy and thoroughly inspect an environment to make sure it meets minimum standards for safety. If it doesn’t, the consultant prepares a list of changes that need to be made. Many companies now go this route, because they would rather make changes before any form of government health inspector discovers problems and initiates any action, such as demanding changes or levying fines.

Some health inspectors monitor worker safety in factories.
Some health inspectors monitor worker safety in factories.

From a business prospective, the government health inspector may be somewhat feared; however from employee and customer perspectives, inspectors help people feel safer. Many companies must routinely undergo health inspection, and depending on the company’s status, it may have to make changes right away so a workplace environment is safer or is complying with safe handling and disposal laws. Those employed as health inspectors by the government can thus expect they won’t always be greeted with enthusiasm. People who undertake this work are better off if they can easily take rejection and still maintain a cheerful manner.

Health specialists may be required to wear some kind of face mask while performing an inspection.
Health specialists may be required to wear some kind of face mask while performing an inspection.

It is really not the inspector’s job in most circumstances to “bust” companies. Instead they are there to help businesses comply with laws. Unless a company repeatedly ignores citations to change aspects of its business, the relationship between health inspector and company doesn’t have to be adversarial. Instead the inspector and business can work cooperatively to make certain that the business complies with all health and safety laws.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon272483

If I am majoring in sociology and minoring in health care social issues at a four year university, would I have to apply to a graduate school that would prepare me for the field of public health inspection?

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    • Many businesses hire health inspectors to make sure they are meeting standards.
      By: Kadmy
      Many businesses hire health inspectors to make sure they are meeting standards.
    • Some health inspectors monitor worker safety in factories.
      By: .shock
      Some health inspectors monitor worker safety in factories.
    • Health specialists may be required to wear some kind of face mask while performing an inspection.
      By: Johan Larson
      Health specialists may be required to wear some kind of face mask while performing an inspection.
    • Health inspectors can help determine if chronic headaches are cause by environmental factors.
      By: 9nong
      Health inspectors can help determine if chronic headaches are cause by environmental factors.