News Feature                   For Immediate Release

December 23, 2004

Public Health Inspectors

Preventing disease, promoting health and protecting our environment

The week of January 3-9 is Environmental Public Health Week in Canada. This is the time of year we recognize and celebrate the hard work of Canada’s public health inspectors. These professionals are committed to preventing disease, promoting health and protecting us from environmental threats to health. Nineteen public health inspectors in Grey and Bruce counties dedicate themselves daily to this work. The great value of their work is seen all around us.

The following is a list of just some of the invaluable services and education provided by our public health inspectors:

·        investigation of health hazards (biological, chemical or physical)

·        planning for public health emergencies (nuclear, bioterriorism, natural disasters, pandemic influenza, and power failures)

·        controlling communicable and infectious diseases (long-term care facilities, daycares, tattoo parlours, and beauty salons)

·        enforcing provincial legislation (health hazards, tobacco, food safety)

·        inspecting food premises (restaurants, supermarkets, butcher shops, cafeterias, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes and special events)

·        conducting food handler certification courses

·        inspecting recreational water sites (pools, spas, beaches)

·        monitoring public drinking water supplies and protecting groundwater

·        approving and inspecting private sewage disposal systems

Please join us in congratulating our local public health inspectors for their priceless work. 

-30-

For more information:

Lou D’Alessandro
Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit
(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456