A day in the life of a public health inspector

Behind the scenes with a public health inspector Josh Crabb gets a behind the scenes look at a day in the life of a public health inspector.

With the summer season comes festivals, food trucks and the opening of outdoor swimming pools.

That means the people who help make sure the food you are eating, and the pools you are swimming in, are safe and in the midst of their busy season.

CTV News spent the day with a public health inspector.

Natalie Lowdon visited a daycare, a tattoo and piercing shop, a swimming pool and a restaurant.

Most visits are unexpected, but in this case the operators knew she was coming.

During her visits, Lowdon looks for several things to make sure operators meet provincial standards.

She checks for health permits, proper hand washing facilities and signage in places like pools.

Lowdon also makes sure dishwashers are working properly so that the machines are washing and rinsing at a temperature hot enough to properly sanitize dishes and cooking tools.

Inspectors look for tidiness of cooking surfaces and equipment, as well as floors to make sure there is no buildup of grime, which could attract rodents or insects.

If operators are not following the rules, they can be forced to shutdown or pay fines, depending on the infraction. Fines and closures are not always necessary if operators are able to rectify the problem quickly.

Any closures or fines are posted publicly on the Manitoba Government's website.

Fines collected go to general revenues.

There are currently 47 public health inspectors in Manitoba.