Environmental Health - The Food Safety Team
Food Safety
On 1st January 2006 new food safety regulations were implemented which required food businesses to have a documented Food Safety Management System in place.
Food businesses were already required to produce food that is safe to eat by controlling food hazards, but the new regulations mean that you now have to be able to demonstrate more clearly what you do to make food safely and this has to be written down.
To help you to do this, a free pack called ‘Safer Food Better Business’ is available from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). To order a copy of the pack contact the FSA on telephone number 0845 606 0667 or Fax 020 8867 3225 or email foodstandards@ecgroup.uk.com.
Using the pack in your business will help you to:
- Comply with the new regulations
- Reduce the risk of food poisoning/food complaints
- Improve your business
- Show what you do to make food safely
- Train staff
- Protect your business's reputation
The Food Safety Team of the Environmental Health Division enforce food hygiene and safety legislation in food businesses within the district. Our aim is to ensure food is safe to eat by carrying out the following duties:
- Inspections of Food Businesses
Carrying out programmed inspections of food businesses to ensure good hygiene standards are being maintained. An essential part of the inspection is discussing steps that the proprietor needs to take in controlling potential food safety hazards. This is known as hazard analysis.
A physical inspection of a premises takes place to ensure adequate standards of hygiene are being maintained. Following a visit, a written reports are provided which give advice to businesses following the visit. The report clearly distinguish legal requirements and recommendations of good practice.
Officer's also give advice to people wishing to start new businesses by inspecting plans submitted for planning or building regulation approval which may require food safety comments. There are approximately 950 food premises in the district of North East Derbyshire. These range from small corner shops to large international food manufacturers.
*To view up to date Food Hazard warnings, visit our Environment & Services News Page
- Sampling of Food
Carrying out sampling of food as part of locally and nationally co-ordinated sampling programmes. This involves working closely with the Public Health Laboratory Services (PHLS).
- Investigating food poisoning and infectious disease cases.
- Responding to complaints and enquiries from members of the public.
Health and Safety
The Health and Safety Officers within the Commercial Team of the Environmental Health Division carries out regular checks on offices, shops, warehouses, places used for leisure activities and other non-industrial premises.
The Health and Safety Executive deal with factories and other industrial operations. This ensures that safe and healthy working conditions are provided for all employees, the self-employed and other persons affected by the work activity.
As with food safety, inspections are carried out on a routine basis without prior notification and the high risk premises are visited more frequently.
During an inspection, Officers will need to be satisfied that any hazards to people's health, safety and welfare, which arise out of or in connection with work have been identified and the associated risks adequately controlled. They will look at the level of health and safety training of managers and employees to ensure that it is suitable. Checks will also be made on the adequacy of structural and environmental conditions and that the plant and equipment are safe.
Where work practices or conditions fall short of what is regarded as satisfactory every attempt will be made to resolve the situation by informal means, but if this is not possible, or if the danger posed gives rise to a risk of serious personal injury, then officers will resort to formal action. This could involve either the service of a legal notice, prosecution, or in situations where serious personal injury could arise, a prohibition notice requiring immediate action.
- Complaint Investigation
Complaints about working conditions are always investigated sensitively and the complainant's confidentiality is assured. Such matters are usually resolved by giving advice to the employer, but as with accident investigation, if formal action is needed then this will be taken.
- Programmed Inspections
We provide a routine inspection programme for workplaces, ensuring that employees and members of the public are protected from unsafe working practices. The frequency with which businesses are inspected is determined by a process of risk rating with most inspections being undertaken at intervals of between 12 months and 4 years.
- Accident Investigation
The investigation of dangerous occurrences and accidents at work also forms an important part of the Section's work. The outcome of these enquiries usually involves the giving of advice to the employer. If a blatant breach of requirements is identified as the main reason for an accident happening, then formal action will be taken.
In the event that someone who has been injured as a result of a work related accident wishes to pursue a compensation claim their legal advisor may wish to obtain a factual statement from us. This details the investigation into the accident and the findings.
Cooling Towers
All premises where cooling towers and evaporative condensers are situated must register with the local authority. For more information please see our section on cooling towers.
Information and Advice
The Council is committed to working together with proprietors and managers to achieve high standards and prevent problems. We are always willing to give advice on legislation, or practical problems, so if you are considering setting up a business, or wish to discuss anything in relation to your existing premises, please feel free to contact us.
You can also contact the Health & Safety Executive or The Royal Society For the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
For further information please contact us (details at bottom of the page).
Promoting Workplace Health Connect
Workplace Health Connect is a service launched in February 2007. It provides free, confidential and impartial advice on creating a safer and more healthy workplace for smaller businesses in England and Wales.
Simply calling the advice line on 0845 609 6006, puts businesses in touch with specialist advisors.
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