- Health inspectors periodically inspect various businesses, including restaurants, food processing plants, bars, hotels, hospitals, schools and waste disposal centers, to verify that health regulations and safety codes are being followed. They study the premises for any violations and make recommendations on how to improve the health and safety practices to ownership or management.
Health inspectors may examine machinery or equipment that is used and make sure that they meet federal, state or local regulations. They may also interview employees to determine the health and safety procedures that owners ask them to follow. Health inspectors also check records of employee injuries or accidents to establish the business’s safety record. If the health inspector makes recommendations to a business and management does not make the necessary changes, the inspector may issue fines and shut down the business until the health and safety codes are met. - Most health inspectors have a bachelor’s degree in environmental, public or occupational health. Some major in food sciences or water chemistry as well. Students who are interested in becoming a health inspector should also take college classes in radiation science, respiratory protection and hazardous material management. After earning a degree, prospective health inspectors must pass a series of exams in order to work for the federal, state or local government. They must then spend six months training in the field as an intern or apprentice before they are certified to work as a health inspector.
- Health inspectors work in offices, but must travel frequently to make inspections. They usually work standard 40 hour weeks, but may be required to work overtime if there is a public health crisis in the community. In addition, they may be required to work irregular hours, such as evenings or nights, to inspect businesses that operate during those hours. Health inspectors may be exposed to hazardous or infectious materials, so they must be careful to follow safety procedures while they make inspections. In addition, some business owners may become confrontational when issued violations, which can make a health inspector’s job stressful as well.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for health inspectors and other occupational health and safety specialists were $62,250 as of May 2008. The highest 10 percent were paid more than $93,620, while the lowest 10 percent were paid less than $35,870. The middle 50 percent were paid between $47,490 and $77,880. Health inspectors who were employed by the federal government had median annual wages of $73,180. Local governments paid inspectors median annual wages of $56,300, while state governments paid $55,600.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for health inspectors and other occupational health and safety specialists will grow by 11 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is about as fast a rate as the average for all occupations. Health inspectors who are employed by federal, state and local governments should enjoy significant job security, and are less likely to be affected by economic downturns than occupational health specialists who work in private industry. Some opportunities will occur as a result of experienced health inspectors retiring or leaving the occupation. Candidates who are knowledgeable in several health and safety specialties should enjoy the best prospects.
previous post