Operational definition

Public health authorities undertake risk assessment and supervise enforcement and control of activities for minimizing exposure to health hazards in order to protect the population by ensuring environmental, occupational, toxicological and food safety. 

• Legal and regulatory framework for health protection in the following areas, and in line with regional and global priorities and commitments;
• Supervision/monitoring and enforcement mechanisms; and
• Management and mitigation of risks.

Scope of the function

Legal and regulatory framework for health protection in the following areas, and in line with regional and global priorities and commitments:

• Environmental standards and regulations
• Occupational health protections and guidelines for industry
• Health codes for food safety (production, transport, distribution, labeling, marketing, sale)
• Smoke-free laws in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
• Road safety framework
• Consumer product safety norms, including on import/exports

Specific laws and regulations pertaining to patient safety:

Pharmaceutical safety and medical devices

Human blood, organs and tissue

Clinical safety norms

Supervision/monitoring and enforcement mechanisms

• Audits of water, air and soil quality
• Occupational hazards reporting system and workplace inspections
• Food chain monitoring
• Coordinated resource mobilization (incl with other civil servants such as police)
• Effective penalties for infractions.

Management and mitigation of risks

• Information and communication
• Existence of incentives for preventive actions
• Institutional capacity to respond to hazards.