Contact details

Moshoeshoe Road
Sebokeng
1984
Tel: 016 930 5400

Vision

A safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the community of Emfuleni.

Motto

“Vaal River City, the Cradle of Human Rights”

Mission

To facilitate and promote environmental health through effective management and partnerships with stakeholders, to ensure services which are equitable, acceptable, available, affordable and accessible.

The role of the Environmental Health Practitioners

The provision of environmental health services and the enforcement of relevant statutory requirements to protect the health of a community and the prevention of ill health, disease and injury are the classical and historical work sphere of an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Environmental health comprises of those aspects of Human Health, including the quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psycho-social factors in the environment.

It also refers to the theory and practice of ascertaining, correcting, controlling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially and adversely affect the health of present and future generations.

The classical title ”health inspector” Environmental Health Practitioner usually refers to the main historical task, which includes inter alia the following:
Service rendered by Environmental Health Services.

Food Security

Food safety in respect of acceptable microbiological and chemical standards and quality of all food for human consumption and optimal hygiene control throughout the food supply chain. All food premises must have Certificates of Acceptability issued by the Environmental Health Services.

Procedure in the application for trade license and COA:

In terms of the Business Act 1991, (Act 71 of 1991) and R962 no person shall carry on any of the under mentioned business, unless in possession of an apposite licence and certificate of acceptability issued by the Environmental Health Services.

Type of businesses that require licensing:
1)    Sale or supply of meals of perishable foodstuffs.
2)    Provision of certain types of health or entertainment facilities.
3)    Hawking in meals or perishables foodstuffs.

To obtain an apposite licence and COA, the applicant must apply at the Environmental Health Services.

Health Surveillance of Premises

The assessment of an overcrowded, dirty or unsatisfactory conditions in any residential, commercial, industrial and other premises. Prevention and abatement of any condition on any premises that is likely to constitute a danger to health.

Waste Management and General Hygiene Monitoring

Ensure proper refuse collection, storage and disposal; investigations and inspections of any activity relating to the waste stream.

• Advocacy on appropriate sanitation

Vector Control

Identification of vectors and their habitat and breeding places. Vector control of public health interest. This includes the control of anthropoids, mollusces, rodents and other alternative hosts of diseases.

Remedying of conditions resulting in or favouring, the prevalence or increase of rodents, insects, disease carriers or pests.

Disposal of the Dead R363

The control, restriction or prohibition of the business of a funeral undertaker or embalmer and other places or facilities for the storage of dead bodies.

Also control and monitor exhumations and reburial or disposal of human remains. All funeral undertakers must have a certificate of competency issued by the Environmental Health Services in terms of R363.

Pre-school / Crèches Hygiene Security

Informal and formal pre-school/crèches must be categorized according to health and safety, as well as  the conditions of the premises with regard to its compliance with legislation and approved guidelines.

Evaluation of formal and informal pre-school/crèches in view of issuing health certificates and health reports.

Tobacco Control

The Tobacco Control Amendment Act 12 of 1999, seeks to protect non-smokers from the dangers of passive smoking. This Act or law prohibits smoking in public places or allows for designate smoking areas in public places.

Pollution Control

Water Pollution Control

Emfuleni is faced with many sources of water pollution caused by pollutants from factories, farming activities and household detergents. Further contributors to water pollution include animal feeding lots, unprotected landfill sites and illegal dumping.

Land Pollution Control

The pollution of the land may either be in te form of solid waste, hazardous waste of liquid waste. Although house to house refuse removal system is in place in most areas under Emfuleni Local Municipality, illegal dumping and dumps still pose health hazards and nuisances. These accumulation of rubble are the ideal space and food source fo rodents.

Noise Pollution Control

Noise may be defined as undesirable sound. Hearing is just as important as being able to touch, smell, taste or see and yet we often take our hearing ability for granted. Noise is often described as an unwanted sound. Noise travels in waves of sound. The best way of controlling noise pollution is where it starts. Noise come from many sources: social, commercial / industrial and transportation.

Air Pollution Control

The earth is covered by a layer, which consist of gases called the atmosphere. The troposphere is made up of oxygen, nitrogen and a small amount of carbon dioxide. If we pump too much carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other gases into the troposphere we will disturb the fine balance of gases which in turn will be dangerous for our health and environment. Emfuleni Local Municipality is part of the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area.

Special Events

The Environmental Health Services forms part of the Disaster and Emergency Management Service Forum. The purpose is to manage emergencies that may emanate during any event that take place in the area of jurisdiction of Emfulelni Local Municipality. This section is also involved in making sure that safe and sound foods are provided to the public through inspections and health education to the caterers / vendors / Informal street traders.