Today's Objectives

​6.1z Recognize that all individuals have a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.

6.2y Explain the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local agencies in protecting the environment.

6.3y Identify careers and professions associated with environmental health.

​Environmental, Health, & Safety Workers combine their knowledge of the environment, health, and safety to protect people from illness and injury.

They also ensure certain chemicals, industrial machinery, and other products will not cause harm to people or property. They use their knowledge to develop best practices to ensure workers do not get sick or injured by their work environment.

What roles does this include and what work positions can be found in this field?

• Natural Gas

• Manufacturing Facilities

• Automotive

• Aerospace

​Job Positions in
Environmental Health
and Safety

• Review new equipment

• Check hazardous conditions

• Make recommendations for improvements

• Health & Safety regulations

​

​What do these workers
typically do?

You need at least an Associate's Degree...

A Bachelor's Degree would allow you more options.

A program that allows you to get a Bachelor's Degree and obtain a Master's Degree following that, would be the highest level. You would be able to enter the field at a higher level and implement your own safety systems.

Environmental Protection Agency

The overall health and safety in communities is governed by the guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA.
- This is a government operated agency in Washington, D.C.
- The mission of the EPA is to protect human and environmental health at the local, community, and government level.
- This means that they create all the laws and rules about what employers and local citizens are allowed to do as it relates to health and environmental safety.

• Americans have clean air, land and water;

• National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information;

• Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress indended.

​

​EPA Mission

The Impact on Local Communities

Our overall health is impacted in our local communities in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Our local environment is a direct link to our health.

• ​The air you breathe is tested and monitored in the homes you live, schools you attend, and places you work. This decreases illness and cases of radon that cause lung cancer.

The Impact on Local Communities

Our overall health is impacted in our local communities in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Our local environment is a direct link to our health.

• ​The water you drink is tested and monitored in the homes you live, schools you attend, and places you work. Also, septic systems are tested and monitored. This decreases illness and cases of stomach and bowel illness.

The Impact on Local Communities

Our overall health is impacted in our local communities in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Our local environment is a direct link to our health.

• ​The food you eat - The food chain from farm, to stores, to restaurants, to homes; is educated, investigated, and evaluated to make sure food is safe to sell and eat. This decreases food related illness.

Community Agencies

The EPA is a national agency.

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
deq.virginia.gov

Environment Virginia
environmentamerica.org/virginia/about/

​Any Questions?