General District Work
Inspection of premises for public health nuisances.
Investigation of complaints and subsequent follow-up.
Inspection of houses and preparation of reports.
Inspection of hairdressers
Inspection of skin piercing establishments
Inspection of nurseries
Service of Abatement Notices as necessary
Inspection of premises for public health nuisances
The core principle for much of Environmental Health revolves around the concept of nuisance. This is not defined in law but
has been interpreted over the years by courts to mean "an act, default or sufferance which prevents a person from enjoying his
property". The Public Health Act specifies certain nuisances that are offences and the remedial action that can be taken
by the Government to abate the nuisance. Public Health Nuisances can include items like dampness in dwellings, defective roofs,
pests, sewage and drainage problems.
Investigation of complaints and subsequent follow-up
All complaints received are investigated forthwith and action taken as necessary. An Abatement Notice may be served on the
person or body by whose "act default or sufferance" the nuisance has been allowed to exist or continue. For example in the
case of defects in buildings, the Abatement Notice may be served on the landlord of the property (who may be a person or a
company). In other circumstances the recipient may be the occupier or tenant of the premises if the nuisance is attributable
to them.
Before the service of an abatement
notice. | 
Piece of the soffit plaster of the balcony. |
After being repaired following a
notice. |
The Abatement Notice specifies the works to be carried out and allows a period of time for the works after which legal
proceedings may be instituted against the receiver. When the case comes before the Magistrates Court the Environmental Health
Officer presents the evidence to the Stipendary Magistrate who may then impose a fine and/or order the works to be done. The
complainant's anonymity is maintained and the person is not required to attend court as the expert evidence is given by the
Environmental Health Officer.
Inspection of houses and preparation of reports
Inspections are carried out of the homes of persons applying to the Housing Allocation Committee for Government Housing.
A report is made to the Housing Manager on the living conditions of the applicant which includes measurements of the rooms
available and details of the persons in occupation as well as any defects in the structure of the premises.
Spatial overcrowding, external WC, shared facilities and mixing of sexes are also mentioned in the report though defects
which can be repaired by the landlord are not.
Inspection of hairdressers and skin piercing establishments
Certain other premises are visited routinely at random. Hairdressers, tattooists, skin piercing premises, and beauticians are
inspected so that hygiene and safety standards are maintained and that there is no risk of transmission of diseases
like hepatitis B and HIV. The premises and actual persons carrying out any skin piercing activities are required to
be registered.
Inspection of nurseries
Nurseries and play-schools are regularly visited and reports made to the Department of Education if necessary.
H. M. Prison is also inspected and reports made to the Superintendent of Prison and the Board of Governors.
The officer has a right to enter all premises at all reasonable times and if necessary by the use of force on application
to a Justice of the Peace for a Warrant of Entry.
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