National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

Foreword by Minister of HealthGovernment recognises the importance of prevention across all areas of health care, therefore wheneverpossible the burden of illness and disability must be averted by preventative interventions. EnvironmentalHealth is a fundamental public health approach affecting the whole population. Services provided byEnvironmental Health Practitioners are essential elements in building healthy populations; which includesamongst others, food safety; sanitation; water quality monitoring; health surveillance of premises; wastemanagement, the protection of indoor and outdoor air quality, communicable diseases control andtobacco control.The continued neglect on basic public health practices in general and of environmental health, hasresulted in the emerging and re-emerging of diseases seen around the world. Environmental Health for usremains the first line of defense against diseases; therefore the provision of quality environmental healthservices is critical. It is for this reason that I have gazetted the Regulations that governs the Scope ofProfession for Environmental Health and for these norms and standards to be developed.Environmental Health Practitioners are health officers appointed in terms of the National Health Act, (Act61 of 2003) and registered with as such in terms of the Health Professions Act (act 56 of 1974). EHPSare provided with powers to enter any premises, excluding a private dwelling to ensure compliance withthe act. EHPS must enter any premises for the purpose of conducting inspections and or environmentalhealth investigations, to ensure abatement of any condition that constitute a health hazard or nuisance.EHPs may further issue compliance notice to any person if a provision in Act has not been complied with.These norms and standards have been developed with extensive input from the environmental healthfraternity, which includes Environmental Health Practitioners at District and Metropolitan Municipality,Provincial Department’s of Health, academic institutions and other government departments.These norms and standards speak to everyone; they address Environmental Health Practitionersresponsible for providing environmental health services, the private and public, as well as the communityin general. They reflect the vision of South Africa’s Environmental Health to ensure provision of qualityservices, as well as requirements to ensure the protection of human health. Continuous monitoring inaccordance with these standards, as well as monitoring to ensure compliance with the standards willcontribute towards the prevention of diseases as a result of environmental factors and the promotion ofhuman health.DR A MOTSOALEDI, MPMINISTER OF HEALTHDOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 4