Jacob Handley’s commitment to public health tobacco legislation has been recognised with Environmental Health Australia’s (Queensland) Early Career Environmental Health Professional of the Year 2019 award.
The Mackay Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit environmental health officer was presented with the award in Townsville which acknowledges the valuable efforts and contributions of any person who has enhanced, shown passion and dedication for or achieved environmental health outcomes.
Mr Handley said he was surprised but proud to be recognised for his environmental health work.
“I didn’t know I was up for the award till the day of the presentation so just being shortlisted as a nominee was an honour,” Mr Handley said.
“Being nominated by my environmental health peers and receiving the award in front of a lot of senior people in the industry was a great feeling.”
A presentation by Mr Handley at two Environmental Health Australia (Queensland) events in 2019 attracted praise and supported his nomination for the award.
“My paper on How EHOs can meet the challenges of the emerging cannabis industry focused on how cannabis is being legalised throughout the world and the challenges currently facing the environmental health officers who regulate tobacco legislation in Australia,” he said.
Mr Handley’s day-to-day work includes engaging with individuals and businesses to protect the community against potential harm or illness caused by exposures to hazards, diseases and harmful practices.
“My job is to enforce legislation relating to food and radiation safety, drug, poison, tobacco and pest management, water quality, Public Health communicable diseases and disaster management within in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac communities,” he said.
“I’m often out conducting proactive inspections of businesses making sure they comply with legislation, providing education and advice on how businesses can meet legislative compliance.
“I really enjoy the work I do, and the receiving award means not only am I on the right track with my career but more importantly, I’m helping to improve the health of our communities.”
Acting Director Public and Environmental Health Andrew Jones said Mr Handley has been with the unit for two years and in that time he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the discipline of environmental health.
“Jacob is certainly a deserving recipient of the award. He is an active member of the team and is never far from the action,” Mr Jones said.
“He is always willing to be involved in activities and has the drive to expand his knowledge and understanding of new and evolving aspects of the environmental health profession.
“The recognition shows that while we are the smallest Queensland Health Environmental Health team, being recognised at a state level showcases our dedication to the industry and health and safety of everyone living within our health service.”
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