Environmental health officers develop, regulate, enforce and monitor laws and regulations governing public health, building, and environmental management, in order to promote good health, hygiene and environmental practices.

Loddon Shire Councils Environmental Health Officer key duties include:

• investigate complaints about food and make sure that food is hygienically prepared, stored, served and sold by inspecting places such as shops, cafes, food processing factories and dairies, and by examining food samples using chemical and microbiological analysis
• inspect and license premises, such as tattoo parlours and acupuncturists, where skin penetration and body piercing occurs and inspect hairdressing and beauty salons
• investigate and manage significant incidents concerning public health like outbreaks of infectious or communicable diseases such as hepatitis A, legionella or dengue fever
• maintain records, prepare statistics, write reports, and give evidence in court cases where health or environmental regulations have been violated
• investigate building blocks and proposed subdivisions in unsewered areas for suitability of on-site waste water disposal
• assessing building and development applications to make sure that they comply with environmental and health standards
• examine water samples using chemical and microbiological analysis to make sure that it complies with standards
• make sure that houses, offices, factories, caravan parks and other buildings and locations are clean and not overcrowded, and have adequate ventilation, lighting, washing and toilet facilities and garbage disposal systems
• monitor and control water, air and noise pollution
• advise employers, tenants and other clients on health and environmental regulations
• assess the risks associated with poisonous materials within the local community
• prepare and conduct health education seminars and lectures for students and industry
• conduct food hygiene education seminars and other community health education programs for students and food handlers
• prepare policy documents, guidelines, pamphlets and brochures.

*For further information don’t hesitate to contact Council’s EHO on 03 5494 1200.

A short video following an EHO during a working day can be found at the following site: