Sam Lauder
MCEIH CEnvH

"I enjoy seeing how my work makes a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the public."

What environmental health means to me

Environmental health for me is ultimately a people-centred discipline. It is about anticipating, identifying and tackling issues in the ‘environment’ which have an impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

My inspiration

I had a week’s work experience with Anglesey Council’s Environmental Health Team. This included exploring various premises, carrying out food hygiene and pest control visits, and swimming pool and bathing water sampling. I remember the weather was amazing – which probably had something to do with it!

How I got started

I had a student placement with Powys County Council and spent the third year of my degree programme working for the authority.

After qualifying, I returned to Powys on a temporary contract as one of the food officers had broken their arm and they needed a replacement! It was great to work in a familiar area with a team I already knew.

My current job

I currently manage a team of Environmental Health Officers working in the Commercial section, however I also retain an operational role and still carry out food hygiene inspections, health and safety interventions and investigate cases and outbreaks of communicable disease.

What I like most about being an EHP

I enjoy seeing how my work makes a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the public.

When you have to close a food premises because of a pest infestation or prohibit a piece of machinery that is imminently dangerous, you know that your actions have prevented individuals from either becoming ill or seriously hurt.

The least glamorous part of my job

Let’s be clear about one thing: there is nothing glamorous about this job! It can be exciting, challenging and provide job satisfaction, but it is not glamorous, unless you think crawling on your knees beneath dirty work surfaces in search of rat droppings is glamorous…?

What I am most proud of

I was very proud to pass my professional log book (the forerunner to the PPP). This took a lot of work to complete but I got there in the end.

I have also had the privilege to use my environmental health skills in humanitarian emergencies overseas. I wouldn’t say that I am ‘proud’ of these experiences, more ‘humbled and honoured’ to have been able to help, even just a little.

My greatest professional challenge

This was getting my head around Section 4 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. I had to use this section when pursuing a prosecution after a child was killed by a falling goal post. Section 4 is not often used, but once you’ve worked it out, it is a very useful piece of law to keep hold of.

In five years’ time

I would like to be working in the humanitarian sector more, and demonstrating that EHPs have a significant role to play in these types of emergencies. The skill-set of an EHP is invaluable, yet often unknown or overlooked in the humanitarian world.

My advice to someone thinking
about becoming an EHP

Don’t be confined to thinking that EHPs only work for local authorities or consultancies. There are many more things that you can do with your qualification than you might first be aware of.

Download Sam's case story and other resources