 In today’s Sector Spotlight, we hear from Mark Coleman who is an Environmental Health Officer (Commercial) and Lead Food Officer with Orkney Islands Council. Mark qualified with a degree in Environmental Health, while there are multiple disciplines within this area, he has always specialised in food and health and safety. During his career has worked for local Authorities in Scotland and England, supermarket chains and has been a consultant in Health and Safety. Can you describe a typical day in your role in Environmental Health?
No two days are the same. I could be inspecting a supermarket or a cruise ship galley one day, and the next day signing documents to permit the export of fish to France, investigating a case of food poisoning or a serious accident, discussing the steps needed to prevent mould growth in jams or helping a new business in what they need to write on their labels for sandwiches. The job is varied and challenging as it impacts everyone – businesses, residents and visitors. Every day brings new learning opportunities and the potential to help make Orkney a safer, better and more interesting place to live and work. How did you end up in this role? I qualified with a degree in Environmental Health and have worked for eight local Authorities in Scotland and England, two retail supermarket chains and as a consultant in Health and Safety. I have always specialised in food and health and safety, but the role of an Environmental Health Officer has multiple disciplines, including pollution, water supplies, housing standards, acoustics, pest control, public health, port health, infection control and licencing. What is the best thing about your job? Making a difference and problem-solving. I love helping people and supporting businesses. I get to interact with different businesses and people and as every day is different I have learned to think on my feet as you never know what the next case is going to be! This job is really what you care to make it, for example over my career, I have really enjoyed investigating food crime, prosecuting for illegal slaughter and dealing with complex food fraud, along with working behind the scenes to improve public health. What is the worst thing about your job? People often don’t understand the breadth of environmental health work and pre-judge what environmental health is about. We are often portrayed as ’getting in the way’ whereas in reality we are there to support businesses in complying with the law, making sure risks are managed in a sensible way and to protect the public. What skills do you need to undertake your role? Good communication skills are essential along with an enquiring mind. Investigation skills demand precision and attention to detail and the ability to interpret and work with legislation is something I do on daily basis. All EHOs need good oratory and debating skills, notetaking abilities and the ability to think outside the box and an overriding desire to help. I work as part of a team, but I also need to be able to work on my own. I have also found a strong stomach, broad shoulders, empathy and a sense of humour helps! What qualifications do you have? Formal qualifications include: BSc (Hons) Environmental Health Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Safety Enforcement ISO 9000 Lead Auditor I am required to undertake regular continuous professional development relevant to my role so I have also attended courses on things as diverse as accident investigations, shellfish depuration and covert surveillance. Would you recommend this job to young people, if so why? Although the profession is not well known, it is a profession that will always be in demand. Importantly with the constant change and flux of legislation and technological advances you will never be bored or have to do the same thing on a daily basis. There is national shortage of EHOs and jobs are always available in local authorities or industry. Visit Orkney Islands Council on: Website: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OICUpdates Twitter: https://twitter.com/orkneycouncil Comments are closed.
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