General District Work

Bullet Inspection of premises for public health nuisances
Bullet Investigation of complaints and subsequent follow-up
Bullet Inspection of houses and preparation of reports
Bullet Inspection of hairdressers
Bullet Inspection of skin piercing establishments
Bullet Inspection of nurseries
Bullet 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.

The Abatement Notice specifies the works to be carried out to remedy the nuisance and allows a period of time for the works to be completed after which legal proceedings may be instituted against the recipient. When the case comes before the Magistrates Court the Environmental Health Officer presents the evidence to the Stipendiary Magistrate who may then impose a fine and/or order the works to be done if he finds the case proven. The complainant is not normally 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 is included in the report.

Inspection of hairdressers and skin piercing establishments
Certain other premises are visited routinely at random. Hairdressers, tattooists, skin piercing premises, and beauticians are inspected regularly 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 inspected for the following:
Bullet Child/teacher ratio
Bullet Teaching space
Bullet Sanitary accommodation
Bullet Washing and drinking facilities
Bullet Lighting and ventilation
Bullet Health and Safety

Additionally, those premises preparing in-house meals are checked for compliance with the Food Hygiene Regulations.