Potential earnings
£68,593.86
Inspectors of standards and regulations undertake investigations and inspections to verify and ensure compliance with acts, regulations and other requirements in respect of: buildings, weights, measures and trade descriptions; the installation and safety of electrical, gas and water supplies and equipment; marine pollution, ships’ structures, equipment and accommodation; the treatment of animals; the operation of commercial vehicles; the welfare, health and safety in factories and all work sites subject to the provisions in the Factory Acts.
Main tasks
- Prepares reports and recommendations on all inspections made and recommends legal action where necessary.
- Undertakes other inspections including chemicals, drugs, flight operations, etc..
- Visits premises where animals are kept, advises on animal care and investigates complaints.
- Checks fishing licences and prevents illegal fishing.
- Samples and tests river water, checks and advises on premises discharging effluent to prevent pollution.
- Verifies the weight of commercial vehicles, checks driver’s licence and hours worked.
- Investigates industrial accidents or any complaints made by the public.
- Draws attention to any irregularities or infringements of regulations and advises on ways of rectifying them.
- Visits sites during construction and inspects completed installations of electricity, gas or water supply.
- Inspects factories and other work sites to ensure adequate cleanliness, temperature, lighting and ventilation, checks for fire hazards and inspects storage and handling arrangements of dangerous materials.
- Inspects measuring and similar equipment in factories and visits street traders, shops, garages and other premises to check scales, weights and measuring equipment.
- Inspects building structures, facilities and sites to determine suitability for habitation, compliance with regulations and for insurance purposes.
- Examines building plans to ensure compliance with local, statutory and other requirements.
Source: Office for National Statistics.
Salary and earnings
Average earnings
£34,165.83
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Skills & knowledge
The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
What course level do I need to study?
The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.
Educational requirements: Honours, Bachelor's degree
Source: Office for National Statistics.
| Level of study | Percentage achieved |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | 0% |
| Level 1 | 2% |
| Level 2 | 11% |
| Level 3 | 24% |
| Level 4-5 (Higher Education) | 9% |
| Level 6 (Bachelors) | 38% |
| Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) | 16% |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.
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Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
