National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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21120 - Public and environmental health and safety professionals

Public and environmental health and safety professionals review, evaluate and monitor public health and environmental safety hazards and develop strategies to prevent, control and eliminate disease and environmental impact caused by biological and chemical factors. They inspect restaurants, industrial establishments, municipal water systems, public facilities and institutions to ensure compliance with government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control and the handling and storage of hazardous substances. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • environmental health officer
    • environmental officer
    • environmental safety advisor
    • hazardous waste inspector
    • pollution control inspector
    • public health inspector
    • public health inspectors supervisor
    • public safety consultant
    • public safety coordinator
    • public safety officer
    • restaurant inspector
    • rodent control inspector
    • water inspector

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers (See 43202 By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers)
    • Construction inspectors (See 22233 Construction inspectors)
    • Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers (See 22231 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers)
    • Ergonomist (See 41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
    • Occupational health and safety specialists (See 22232 Occupational health and safety specialists)
    • Occupational hygienist (See 41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Inspect the sanitary conditions of restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and other public facilities or institutions
    • Conduct surveys and monitoring programs of the natural environment to identify sources of pollution
    • Collect biological and chemical samples and specimens for analysis; measure physical, biological and chemical; and conduct safety and environmental audits
    • Investigate health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases or poisonings
    • Inspect workplaces to ensure that equipment, materials and production processes do not present environmental hazards to the environment or a health and safety hazard to employees or to the general public
    • Lead the development and the implementation of public safety and environmental health and safety programs and strategies to mitigate risk and optimize the general public and worker's health and safety and environmental protection
    • Initiate enforcement procedures to fine or to close an establishment contravening municipal, provincial or federal regulations
    • Provide consultation and deliver training programs to employers, employees and the general public on issues of public health, environmental protection or workplace safety.
  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in a discipline such as food science, environmental studies, chemistry or health and safety is usually required.
    • Public health inspectors employed outside Quebec require certification with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.
    • Environmental health and safety professionals may require certification with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP).
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