This training prepares the inspector with a specific set of skills. For example, training gives the inspector trainee the knowledge to conduct building or outdoor inspections. He must use a checklist to identify potential health risks for human occupants. Training for the restaurant inspector, for example, teaches a her to check for multiple conditions, such as proper food handling and cleaning procedures to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness and food contamination.
Health inspectors need training to perform inspections in specialized facilities. For example, inspectors may perform walk-throughs of on-site waste disposal facilities, water treatment plants, hotels, pools, beaches, tattoo and permanent make-up facilities, X-ray facilities and biomedical waste facilities. Each type of inspector job demands that the public agency send the inspector to subject-specific training that explains applicable rules and regulations. Inspectors will specialize depending on their job tasks. For example, environmental health inspectors may focus on water treatment, mold or asbestos, whereas professional regulation inspectors may focus on restaurants and hotels.
Public health inspectors enforce federal, state and local regulations. Training should include an understanding of the applicable laws from two federal agencies--the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. For example, health inspectors that inspect heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems would benefit from EPA-based training on indoor air quality and OSHA safety practices for HVAC workers. Childcare inspectors must know how to check for safe conditions and practices that protect both children and daycare workers.
Government training programs represent a good starting point for training health inspectors. Professional associations such as the Indoor Air Quality Association also provide health inspectors with training by professional trainers who are also subject matter experts. Inspectors can enroll in training online or travel to conferences for instructor-based training.
A helpful way to complete inspector job training is to shadow an experienced health inspector in the same agency. Building on previous reading in laws and regulations and other training materials, the trainee sees concepts in action during site visits. He watches how the inspector interacts with people to gain information and uses the checklist to document health concerns. The ability to document becomes important when the trainee follows up with facilities to monitor their compliance. The experienced inspector also teaches the trainee how to perform multiple site visits per day.
Some jobs require that the candidate has previous industry experience before qualifying for the training program. Agencies use the intern program to help fill vacancies; they link hiring with training. For example, the U.S. Mining Safety and Health Administration Inspector Career Intern Program requires candidates for some positions to demonstrate experience working in specific types of mines.