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Here is a proposed map or register of all social media chats by EHO members whether they be international, internal or with external agencies. It is proposed that EHPA head office establish an email address….. healthy.chat.track@ehpa.org.au to be included in al EHPA social media chat groups, not to necessarily participate, but to be able to go into the social media platform and see what is going on if the board or executive would like to see. Items of interest might be considered for the e-newsletter or the basis of EHPA events. It is up to the EHPA members when they establish an internal chat group on a social media platform of some sort, term include the email address healthy.chat.track@ehpa.org.au as a member of the group so activity can be monitored and reported on if necessary. The structure of this healthy.chat.map is based firstly on the IFEH sig chat groups and the EHPA SIG groups to create a numbering configuration for easy reference. In some cases these internal chat groups will work out what to submit to a separate external chat group given the same identification number with an “EI” code (External Interaction) on the same topic. IFEH code for interaction with the international SIGs IE code for interaction with external government agencies, professionals, trades people and the public. The first part of any chat code numbers will be the IFEH code, followed by the predominant EHPA SIG Code, EHPA subject code, task cell code (T-cell) and in some cases sub-task cell codes. The IFEH Codes are 1. Air pollution. 2. Climate change and environmental health 3. Communicable disease 4. Disaster management and risk reduction 5. Drinking water 6. Food safety and security 7. Housing and shelter 8. Indoor air-quality (including tobacco control) 9. Nature and wildlife protection 10. Noise pollution 11. Pest and vector control 12. Pollution from industry 13. Port health 14. Public health and health equity 15. Waste management 16. Waste water management These are the first part of the code number used to identify a chat. The second part of the code is based on EHPA SIG code numbers. The EHPA SIG and CoP Codes are 1. Aboriginal public health SIG 2. Emergency management SIG 3. Environment and waste water SIG 4. Food safety and security SIG 5. Public health and well-being SIG 6. Student and new graduate SIG 7. Leadership in environmental health SIG 8. Climate Change SIG (coming soon) SIG 9. Barwon South Western CoP 10. Gippsland CoP 11. Grampians CoP 12. Hume CoP 13. Loddon Mallee CoP 14. North and West Metro CoP 15. South and Eastern Metro CoP 16. Queensland CoP 17. New South Wales CoP 18. Australian Capital Territory CoP 19. South Australia CoP 20. Western Australia CoP 21. Northern Territory CoP Each social media chat group code is made up of (IFEH Code).(EHPA SIG or CoP Code).(EHPA SIG Subject Code).(Task Cell Code/s)…. So Examples……. 5.4.1.1.1 Drinking Water Metals Lead (Pb) in Rainwater Tanks - (name),(platform) If a member on the same topic got onto an international environmental health chat group with IFEH or Red Cross etc then they would list their chat interaction as International5.4.1.1.1 Drinking Water Contaminants - (name),(platform) 16.12.1.2.1 Hume Region Plumbers doing conventional septic Wisconsin mounds External16.12.2EPA,GMW,MAV,BGCMA Hume Region Wastewater Management Plans The EHPA SIG and CoP Codes are 1. Aboriginal public health SIG Subject Listing 1. Reconciliation Action Plan 2. Aboriginal Traditional Accommodation Chat Listing 14.1.1 EHO’s on Reconciliation Action Plans - Callum Morrison (social media platform yet to be determined) 14.1.2 Aboriginal Traditional Accommodation - Callum Morrison (social media platform yet to be determined) 2. Emergency management SIG 3. Environment and waste water SIG 4. Food safety and security SIG 5. Public health and well-being SIG 6. Student and new graduate SIG 7. Leadership in environmental health SIG 8. Climate Change SIG (coming soon) SIG 9. Barwon South Western CoP 10. Gippsland CoP 11. Grampians CoP 12. Hume CoP 13. Loddon Mallee CoP 14. North and West Metro CoP 15. South and Eastern Metro CoP 16. Queensland CoP 17. New South Wales CoP 18. Australian Capital Territory CoP 19. South Australia CoP 20. Western Australia CoP 21. Northern Territory CoP Only Members are able to fully copy, paste into a word document, update and repost this full document back in the Healthy.Chat.Map forum. They can also choose to subscribe to get tipped off about any updates or turn off the subscription if they get annoyed by it when there is too much traffic. Add your chat group title idea to the list, when someone contacts you then list a contact and the social media platform you are going to use. Don’t forget to also invite healthy.chat.track@ehpa.org.au to join your chat group. We could break these into their own forums listed separately on the EHPA website if the traffic gets too great on some SIGs you are not interested in. The public and non-members can see all this if they know where to look but they cannot alter anything or subscribe (check?)

Dear Members, EHPA is proposing to use "Linked In" to promote our profession but in order to encourage face to face online discussions and back it up with the ongoing chats then some of us are using "Teams" as EHO Brains Trusts for discussing and trouble shooting day to day EHO issues. List your Ideas for "Chats" here and then put your name after as an initiator. (If you don't want to be the initiator then just list the topic and see if someone else puts their name down and initiates it in "Teams". The initiator is just a contact and pathway to the group but everyone is responsible for their own comments and the group has to lead itself or seek assistance from the SIG if they need it.) Proposed or Initiated EHPA member Chat Group List EHPA Caravan Parks - Callum Morrison (Teams) (5 members) Informing EHPA Food SIG EHPA Foodtrader Problems - Callum Morrison (Teams) Class 3a's - Callum Morrison (Teams) Supermarkets - Callum Morrison (Teams) Fast Food Chains - Callum Morrison (Teams) Environment and Wastewater SIG EHPA Aboriginal Health SIG EHPA Public Health & Wellbeing SIG EHPA Leadership SIG EHPA Hume / North East Community of Practice Chat - Callum Morrison (Teams) (X Members) Rather than members just being admitted, there will be a process by which the group votes on addition of new members to screen out non-contributers or threats to our profession. (There is nothing to stop those not admitted initiating and setting up their own rival more accommodating group on the same topic to demonstrate their commitment if they are not admitted at first group.) The idea is that these groups of members on a chat group then report problems and solutions summaries up to applicable SIG's or Communities of Practice. In effect rather than EHPA determining a structure and topics for meetings, members list the topics they want to discuss on this forum and their contact detail if they want to be the initiator. On "Teams" once they have created as a group then they get to list the platform they are on. If there is too much interest in a specific group then they may have to split or narrow into smaller subgroups to tackle specific issues - EG: Fastfood involving chicken or specific supermarket problems. The actual list just gets cut and pasted in and the new listing added each time. As members of EHPA you can then decide whether you want an electonic email notification every time this happens by subscribing or at any time you can turn this off and just hotlink to the latest listing each time you read the EHPA electronic weekly newsletter. Non-members can see this list but can not alter any part of it. Any thoughts on this? Kind regards Callum

I've got the DT's A dedication of memorial poetry to David Thomas by Callum Morrison 1/12/2023 As EHO's mature, And harden in their shell. They gradually start to lose some hair, And wrinkles start to tell. They start to do their "bottle", You probably know the feeling well. Something little sets them off, A dirty problem or a smell. I don't mean "bottle" of sanitiser, Or a "bottle" of lovely red. They grapple with a problem, Until it's well and truly dead. "Communities white blood cells", That's why EHO's are about. Honing in on injustice, Before people get a bout. They learn the problem inside out, Attack from every angle. Do their bit for public health, Or at least they try to wrangle. So when you get the DT's Ask what David Thomas would do? Calm down and write some poetry, And narrowly avoid the poo! Cheers David from Callum Morrison

I managed to get in some vigorous kayaking exercise within 5km from home for less than 2 hours, with one other person and a mask on board!

Maybe a stall at the next symposium !!! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aristotle-a-38940917_innovation-business-robotic-activity-6785148826253705216-hQaH

How many EHO's are musicians? Race remote control yachts? Scuba dive, ski? Ride mountain Bikes, Rail Trails, kayak, fishing, Motorbikes. Hit reply and share your hobbies, events and interests here and find other EHO's to share these with.

In many caravan parks with with long term residents or holiday cabins there are issues that arise with accumulation of building materials, fences and garden that impact on firefighter access and safety. In many situations it is not practical to ask for removal of everything and re-spacing to occur - how do we reach a reasonable compromise, put conditions on new ownership and aim for long term improvement and reduced fire risk. How do we weigh these up with residents security concerns, privacy, comfort and a place for the dog to exercise ! Do emergency management plans for caravan parks need to be different to deal with the different issues throughout a park and also manage the ongoing compliance. How do we manage CODE RED fire danger days and issues with caravan park and individual site insurance issues. Share the issues and strategies that can be made public here in your replies.

Has anyone had any experience with these?

Just like armour, EHO’s need to regularly update their knowledge and skills to protect themselves and the businesses and the public they serve. The Hume Region has noticeably been very quiet because of bushfires, pandemic and a long history of stretched Environmental Health. Ned Kelly is the one common element running thought the history of virtually all our municipalities. We could have called it the Ongoing Online Forum and Group Discussion List of the Hume Region. If this works the way I think it might then it is important not to limit this forum to just our region to get participation and contribution of others as we move onto this platform for communication and problem solving. Participation is voluntary and any EHPA member can turn their subscription on and off any time they like if they are getting sick of emails but if they fine tune to forums to their interests and look at the big picture occasionally they can stay updated. It also gives anyone quickly compiling newsletters or SIG groups access to topics of hot conversation and a platform for easy engagement and any necessary corrections. If you are only going to subscribe to one forum then make it this one and it will at least keep you informed of other forums on occasions you might be interested in or find useful. Hit the [SUBSCRIBE] button above this forum. This site may also effectively be a place to assemble meeting agendas and content that maybe could be processed before having to meet online of face to face and with a broader group. Just like a Normal EHPA Meeting Agenda (Still appropriate sometimes for face to face or online.) 1. Attendance 2. Key Reports 3. Special Guest Speaker 4. Round the Table (Currently there is often a shortage of detail provided, lots of work compiling, stop start with meetings many months apart. Details need emailing out. The proposed new approach is to where possible either use a Forum or Group for all details of a meeting by an EHPA GROUP with links to forums on what ever the topics are being discussed. If the matters are too sensitive then limit the participation away from the public access just to Group members.) Proposed Parallel Use of Forums & Groups before, during and after meetings. 1. Attendance and participation by members is logged automatically. 2. Key Reports in Ongoing Forums & Groups from SIGs etc depending on whether the discussions were public or not. 3. Guest Speaker can maintain an ongoing relationship with EHPA members via a Forum or non-publicly via a Group if they were given member status. 4. Work out whether your comments are best placed on an existing or new Forum & Group. (This makes topics and discussions accessible to the wider membership (and the public where it is appropriate) without having to wade though lots of unlinked documents. 2. From the SIGS…………. ENVIRONMENT SIG Repurposing Single Use Plastics for a Second Purpose https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=9853 FOOD (SIG) Special Interest Group New Research into Microplastics from Babies Bottles https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=9963 INDIGENOUS (SIG) Special Interest Group What might be the next option for many beyond Tiny Houses? https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=10276 PUBLIC HEALTH & WELLBEING (SIG) Special Interest Group Choice of Hand Sanitiser https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=9989 What are the components of a good EHO CovidSAFE Plan? https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=10150 How long can COVID19 survive on surfaces – CSIRO Research https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=9889 Updated Aquatic Facilities Check List https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=10222 HUME REGION COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE Reviewing Caravan Park Fee Structures in Covid and Bushfire Recoveryhttps://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=9933 Use of Body Worn Cameras by EHOs https://www.ehpa.org.au/forums/?e=_forum.discussion&topic=10222 (Contribution from OTHER COP’S?)

What new types of ecological, nutritional and ecotourism components could be used to create a new type of healthy housing ideal for remote locations but potentially anywhere. Is anyone interested in going back to environmental health first principles to try and devise ways to more comfortably live and thrive in remote locations?

Dear Hume COP Member, You can read all forums without even logging in as a member and anyone can see these so be careful what you write… (Before you try and write your name in a reply to this forum below, make sure you sign in as a member up in the red section of the EHPA webpage in the top right hand corner.) 2. Write your name in the thread below. 3. While you are here in the forums part of the website consider looking and commenting on some of the other forums. (These are useful as posting as links in emails for the general public or non-members for general information.) 4. To automatically let everyone in your Community of Practice region know that you know what you are doing on the EHPA website and know how to utilize EHPA Groups then go to this Discussion (only listed under the Hume Group only so far) and write your name……. Click on EHPA Groups up at the top of the EHPA webpage, go into Hume Discussions (or Cut and Paste after making sure you are signed in as a member. (unfortunately it does not appear to create hotlinks so you will need to look through the current list) https://www.ehpa.org.au/EHPA-Groups/ and look for Challenge - Prove you know how to use the EHPA website EHPA Groups and Forums - Write your name in the thread below ! Have a Great Christmas and if you get a moment and want to invest some time in your profession and your professional development and the development of others then start reading and posting on the EHPA website.

Work out what you would like from your EHPA and list it in the appropriate location, forum, groups or email to your colleagues and then set about working together to try and make it happen for your benefit the benefit of others and for future EHO's.

Work from Home to minimise exposure to remaining office staff - Covidsafe Family Bubble - Covidsafe Shopping Decontamination - Covidsafe family and elderly support. - Covidsafe Travel Restriction If EHO's have to come into the office - Covidsafe Access to Building - Covidsafe PPE, office spacing, partitioning, heating, air conditioning - Covidsafe Cleaning of Vehicles before and after use, travel arrangements - Covidsafe Toilet Access - Covidsafe Staff Room Food Handling and Water Fountain Access - Covidsafe Photocopier/printer - Covidsafe Paperless Files - Covidsafe Meetings - Covidsafe Screening - Covidsafe testing - Integration of Covidsafe Plans - Covidsafe Decontamination / Showering - Covidsafe Immunisation - Covidsafe Municipal Public Health Planning and Vulnerable Group Support - Covidsafe Emergency Management, Emergency Accommodation - Covidsafe support to Police and DHHS (what would be the trigger for EHO involvement?) - Covidsafe Inspection techniques where appropriate - pre-inspection desktop assessments, remote inspections, minimum time and contact inspections, and post inspection phone contact followup. - Covidsafe recreational activities and community groups - Covidsafe Bucket List Revision

SANTA I have observed some euphoria in the air with the impending arrival of Christmas. It seems there is a rumour that a fat man named “Santa” wearing a seriously retro red suit is expected to fly around the sky behind a team of Reindeer dropping gifts into the houses of “Good” children. Further, it seems he is expected to do this to all houses containing “Good” children in the world in a single night. I have researched the facts as follows: (1) No known species of Reindeer can fly. BUT as there are believed some 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be fully described and classified this does not fully and completely rule out “Flying Reindeer” that only Santa has seen, and presumably be able to capture, domesticate and train. (2) There are some 2.5 billion children (people under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn’t (appear to) handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total – 378 Million, according to the Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household that’s 91.8 million homes (one presumes there is at least one “good” child per household) (3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to earth rotation, differing time zones etc. and assuming he travels east to west, which only seems reasonable. This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children Santa has around 1/1000th of a second to park his Sleigh. (An unlikely aeronautical contrivance), squeeze his bulk down a chimney (risking an oil heater pipe enema), fill the stocking(s), eat whatever snacks are left, ascend the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move onto the next house. (4) Now assuming these stops are evenly distributed (and we know they are not, but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept.) we are now talking about 0.98 kilometres per household, a total trip of some 85.5 million kilometres. This is not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours. This means Santa’s sleigh is moving at an average speed of around 989 kilometres per second, or about 3,600 times the speed of sound. (For the purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle ever created, the Ulysses Space Probe can cover a pokey 42.4 kilometres per second. A conventional Reindeer can run at 45 kilometres per HOUR, Tops. (5) The Payload of such an undertaking adds another interesting element to the equation. If we assume that each ‘good’ child receives no more than a medium sized Lego set weighing a paltry 1.5 kg then the sleigh must therefore weigh 478,000 tonnes, not counting Santa who is invariably described as overweight. On land a ‘conventional’ Reindeer can slowly pull a load of 450 kilos a limited distance at a modest rate. If we grant “Flying Reindeer” (see point 1) unlimited stamina and speed and a pulling load 10 times that of a conventional reindeer, say 4,500 kilos we don’t need 6, 8 or even ten reindeer. No. We must have 114,300 Reindeer. This increases the weight of the load to 393,430 Tonnes. By comparison Queen Elizabeth (Yes, the Ship) weighs less than one quarter of this. (6) 478,000 tonnes travelling at 989 kilometres per second creates enormous air resistance, made even worse at low altitudes. This will heat the Reindeer up in a similar fashion to a spacecraft entering the earth’s atmosphere, but 10 times faster and weighing 150,000 times more. (7) The leading pair of Reindeer. (They are always shown hitched in pairs, except for the little guy in front who has a red nose- I presume a concession to ‘frictional heating’ as described here) will absorb 1400 QUINTILLION Joules of energy. Each……Per second……Repeatedly. …… and burst into a massive ball of flame instantaneously, in turn exposing each pair of Reindeer behind them and creating deafening sonic booms to disperse the ash. The entire Reindeer train will be vaporised within 4.26/1,000th of a nanosecond. Santa in the meantime will be pinned into his Sleigh by centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than the force of Gravity. A 150-Kilo Santa (which would be slim compared to contemporary depictions) would be pinned into his sleigh by 2,315,015.61 Kilos of Force. (8) In conclusion. If ever Santa really did exist and ever attempted to deliver presents in this manner. He is dead now.

1. These are public forums everyone can search for or see on the internet . 2. Only EHPA members that have signed into the website seem to be able to post reply comments or an error is generated. 3. If you have something more publically sensitive but you are happy enough to share it with your colleagues not in "Forums" but "EHPA Groups" (SIG or COP) or go back to email. 4. Sometimes you can put a pointer on the forum for the general membership alerting them to more happening over in groups when they have signed in a member on the EHPA site at the time. 5. If you ever do get the "falling parachute something has gone wrong" error then it the back arrow, copy the text, confirm you have signed in properly as a member (they time out) and then paste the text in again.

Choice Magazine is looking into sanitiser standards and labelling https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/beauty-and-personal-care/skin-care-and-cosmetics/articles/hand-sanitiser-labelling

Bottle-fed babies may consume millions of microplastic particles, new research suggests. Microplastics can now be found in almost every environment on Earth, but scientists know surprisingly little about how the products we use every day shed these tiny plastic particles. If you drink from a plastic water bottle or eat out of a microwaveable container today, there’s a good chance that you’re using polypropylene. Polypropylene is thought to be safe and suitable for lots of different applications – which is why it’s the most widely used plastic in food preparation. This new research has shown that baby formula preparation with polypropylene bottles exposes infants around the world to an average of one million microplastic particles per day. (Many times higher than what was thought to be the previous exposure for an entire year.) The four quickest and easiest steps to minimise exposure and maintain hygiene are: 1. Rinse sterilised feeding bottles with cool, sterile water. 2. Always prepare formula in a non-plastic container. 3. After formula has cooled to room temperature, transfer it into the cooled, sterilised feeding bottle. 4. Avoid rewarming prepared formula in plastic containers, especially with a microwave oven. I will forward this up to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment and provision of advice to Maternal and Child Health Nurses. https://www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/bottle-fed-babies-may-consume-millions-of-microplastic-particles-our-research-suggests-148350

Ever since the bushfires and pendemic they have been nowhere near full occupancy. Some Councils have scrapped all registration fees in bushfire areas refunded by the State, Some outside bushfire areas have dropped theirs to 50% and others still charging the full fee amount and over all three years. The State has frozen the fee units for a year. Any thoughts on how this might be better managed?

Updated flowchart demonstrating the Public and Members only parts of the EHPA Website and ways of reducing the number of notifications activations of all members in SIG and COP groups that would otherwise be notified excessively.

https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Health/Infectious-diseases-coronavirus/Understanding-the-virus/how-long-the-virus-can-survive

In SIG's and COP when ever someone makes a post then everyone is notified whether they want to be or not so the best place to start of identifying ideas or issues for EHO's is in the "Forums" part of the EHPA website. Hopefully new forum topics or active forums will get a link published in the EHPA member email for general promotion. The initiator of each Forum can notify applicable SIG's of the link to their Forum and the SIG's can also report these to each of the COP in their reports. The SIGS can also establish Forums of their own to tackle common issues.