Health Protection Services

The Agri-Food Services group is responsible for the inspection and sampling programs of provincially licensed abattoirs, dairy farms, bulk tank milk graders, bulk milk tank trucks and dairy plants. Agricultural technicians require a diploma in agriculture from an institute of technology or agricultural college. Agrologists must have a degree or post-graduate study in agriculture and membership to the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists.

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) deliver health protection and health promotion programs throughout New Brunswick. PHIs are members of a multi-disciplinary team serving regional needs with the authority to enforce the Public Health Act.

Legislative authority for health protection programs is defined by provincial acts and regulations including the Public Health Act, Clean Water Act, Smoke-free Places Act, Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Sales Act, Fish Inspection Act and Cemetery Companies Act.

PHIs deliver services in the following areas:

• Communicable Disease Control – application of standard operating procedures for the investigation of both sporadic cases and outbreak response and management of enteric, zoonotic and vector-borne disease occurrences that are reported to the Department and undertake appropriate control measures to prevent future occurrences and further spread.
  
• Food Control – enforcement of regulations pertaining to premises that process, prepare and sell food for human consumption including abattoirs, education of food handlers, communication with multiple community stakeholders such as public/farmers market groups.
  
• Environmental Health – enforcement of acts and regulations pertaining to the installation of on-site sewage disposal systems, licensing of on-site sewage disposal system installers and legislation pertaining to smoking in public places. Review of environmental projects for determination of the need for environmental impact assessments and participation on technical review committees.
  
• Water Quality – ensuring the safety of public, private and recreational water supplies through routine testing and taking remedial action when indicated; providing health risk advice to municipal and private water supply owners who may have various microbiological or chemical contaminants in their drinking water and consulting with multiple government departments and community stakeholders with regard to water quality and protection.
  
• Emergency Preparedness – participation on regional and provincial committees and emergency preparedness exercises.
  
• Institutional Health – inspection of day care centers, schools, and adult residential facilities to ensure health standards are met and recommendations made as per the requirements of other government departments.

Support is also provided to the Regional Medical Officers of Health, Communicable Disease/Immunization Program Officers and the Administrative Program Director for Public Health programs offered through the Regional Health Authorities.

To learn more about the programs delivered by Health Protection Services and how you and your business can be supported, contact your nearest Health Protection Services office.