Overview

Every time you enter a building, you put your life in the hands of the people who designed, constructed and maintain that structure and all the systems inside.

If they’ve done their jobs right, you have nothing to worry about. The walls are solid. The roof is supported. The floors are steady beneath your feet. There are no rats or termites hiding in the walls. The air inside is safe to breathe. If a fire breaks out, an alarm will warn you, and sprinklers may activate to douse the flames.

You don’t think about these things when you enter a building. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) who specialize in the safety of our built environment do.

EHP/Built Environment Specialists monitor the safety of homes, apartments, schools, and other buildings. They are trained to assess basic structural soundness and to inspect buildings for evidence of poor maintenance, infestation, fire hazards, blocked exits, lead paint, poor air or water quality, improper sanitation and other potential health concerns.

They often work for government agencies to help enforce codes and standards, and they may be empowered to issue citations, assess fines and even lockdown unsafe properties.

Other EHP/Build Environment Specialists focus on design and planning, applying the latest research about potential hazards, such as asbestos or mold, to improve building design and reduce risks.

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Built Environment Specialist 16 May 2008 [pdf, 159 KB]

Working Conditions

EHP/Built Environment Specialists usually work a standard 40-hour week. They spend some time in an office, writing reports and coordinating their work with other professionals. The rest of their time is spent inspecting buildings.

Building inspections fall into two general categories: Routine and problem-focused. Routine inspections involve verifying that a building believed to be safe is, in fact, safe. This involves visually examining various parts of the building according to a checklist. Equipment also may be used to assess air quality and test for other potential issues.

Problem-focused inspections happen when a complaint has been filed or the inspector has a reason to believe a structure is unsafe. In this case, the EHP/Built Environment Specialist may encounter unpleasant or even dangerous conditions, as well as potential opposition from building owners or management.