Doudelyne Cenafils

 Introduction:

       The Division of Housing & Health Inspections at the Worcester Public Health Department is responsible for providing a wide range of community based public health and environmental inspectional services (WDPH, 2011). Based on such program, I was able to assist Housing Health Inspectors conducting several housing inspections throughout the city. The purpose of these inspections were to elicit that the residents follow the Massachusetts regulations as noted in Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, and to prevent the deterioration of acceptable standards (Galvin, 2012).

        In fact, the standards apply to every owner-occupied or rented dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit or rooming house unit in the state, which is used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating (Galvin, 2012). Each unit is required to have proper kitchen and bathroom facilities, water supply, provision of oil, hot water, heating, lighting and electrical facilities, smoke detectors, proper exits and materials for insulation and covering. Certainly, other standards such as garbage storage and disposal, insects and rodents exterminations and much more are to be maintained. All occupants are responsible to attend to these regulations. Upon receipt of an oral, written or telephone request pertaining to any violation of such standards, the board of health will conduct a complete inspection of the premises. The following artifact is a housing report detailing the violations, conditions of the premises visited and the actions taken to resolve the issues.

 Reflections:

       The division programs are designed and implemented in an effort to enhance the quality of life in the City. Federal, State and City ordinance requires the division to enforce all public health regulations for the safety of the community (WDPH, 2011). In an effort to correct any violations, all tenants receive a copy of the inspection report. Owners/tenants may also file a petition within 30 days of the initial report. However, the final decision of the board of health may be appealed to the appropriate Massachusetts court.

      This exercise was a great practice for me as it propelled me straight to the field. It permitted me to observe certain issues in the community and determine how I would work to improve customer service and promote public health. This has helped me acquire knowledge on specific regulations and be able to implement preventive measures in the community, using environmental health skills, as to reducing risk of contamination and infection.