What powers does an Environmental Health Officer have?
Environmental Health Officers (EHO) have a responsibility to investigate all work-related accidents. Following an accident, an EHO will carry out an inspection of the premises. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, an officer is permitted to, if they deem necessary, remove any samples, records or equipment, take photos or drawings and conduct interviews, during any inspection. The officer will always seek to ‘make safe’ any area or equipment first. They may then serve improvement notices or prohibition notices for items of equipment, or for a process. Formal action Having taken all steps to try and identify the cause and remedy any deficiencies in the health & safety practices of a business and/or the victims, the EHO would consider the possibility and value of taking some punitive action against the perpetrator. Careful consideration of all the circumstances is needed to decide whether subsequent court action is an appropriate course of action and in the Publics’ interest. EHO’s
