REHIS Training Advisers carry out remote monitoring visits
- 26 October 2020
With the opportunities to conduct the standard visits to Training Centres delivering the REHIS Community courses being restricted at present, the Training Advisers role has had to adapt to doing some virtual audits. A high proportion of courses currently registered are being delivered via the “Zoom” platform. Not having the face to face usual interaction […]
Environmental Health Officers enforce new coronavirus regulations
- 26 October 2020
On 9 October the Scottish Government published legislation to introduce temporary restrictions to help reduce the spread of the virus. The Regulations partially came into force at 6pm on Friday, 9 October and fully came into force on Saturday, 10 October. The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Additional Temporary Measures) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 imposed a […]
In memory of George Brechin, OBE
- 26 October 2020
The Institute are saddened to hear of the passing of George Brechin, OBE. Mr Brechin was a great supporter of the Institute and was known to many. Mr Brechin was a Board member at the Health & Safety Executive, the Chair of the HSE’s board has paid tribute here and also a Board member of Food Standards […]
Scotland’s new strategic framework considers new powers for Environmental Health Officers
- 25 October 2020
On 23 October at the Coronavirus (COVID-19) update the First Minister's announced Scotland’s strategic framework which considers new powers for Environmental Health Officers. The five-level framework indicates different levels of protection that might be needed based on different levels of transmission for the virus. It will allow for rapid but proportionate responses on both a local and national basis using a […]
COVID Diary- Lisa McCann
- 25 October 2020
Lisa McCann, Service Manager – Environmental Health (Food & Workplace Safety), Fife Council and President of REHIS Council, discusses how both her roles have adapted and how she hopes that positive changes made with hygiene continues into the future. 1. Describe your work before the pandemic? Before the pandemic, I had not long taken up the […]
COVID Diary- Tim Lush
- 25 October 2020
Tim Lush, Environmental Health Officer at Glasgow City Council, has been working on the Contact Tracing team for NHS Test and Protect. His contribution gives an insight into the role of contact tracing which is becoming more difficult with rise in cases but also increasingly important in combating the pandemic. 1. Describe your work before the […]
Spot checks and inspections at schools in Scotland
- 22 October 2020
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have carried out a programme of COVID-secure school spot checks in Scotland regarding the implementation of school reopening guidance. Since August, a total of 500 schools have been contacted across Scotland to check compliance. To give a representative sample of schools across Scotland, 16 local authorities were selected for […]
Scottish government propose delay smoke alarm legislation until 2022
- 22 October 2020
The Scottish Government will ask parliament to delay new regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by 12 months due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). Legislation due to come into effect in February 2021 meant the standard which currently applies to private rented property and new-builds would have been extended to all homes in […]
Scottish government propose delay smoke alarm legislation until 2022
- 22 October 2020
The Scottish Government will ask parliament to delay new regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by 12 months due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). Legislation due to come into effect in February 2021 meant the standard which currently applies to private rented property and new-builds would have been extended to all homes in […]
Food Standards Scotland opens public consultation on their draft strategy for 2021-2026
- 22 October 2020
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has opened a public consultation on its proposals for its new strategy for 2021-26. The draft strategy is titled ‘Protecting Scotland in a Changing Food Environment’, and identifies FSS’s proposed key priorities for the next five years. The proposals in the strategy sets out how FSS would intend to deliver these priorities, taking […]
FSS issues precautionary advice on cooking processed chicken products following link to UK cases of salmonella
- 21 October 2020
FSS have issued precautionary advice on cooking processed chicken products following a link to UK cases of salmonella Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Public Health Scotland (PHS) are reminding consumers to take care when handling and cooking chicken products at home. The move comes as both organisations are involved in a multi-agency investigation into a […]
COVID- 19 – face covering regulations
- 21 October 2020
On Thursday 15 October the First Minister’s statement announced that from Monday 19 October face coverings must be worn in all communal areas in indoor workplaces, where people mingle or gather (except where exemptions apply such as where measures are in place to keep persons separated). Face coverings must be worn in all communal areas […]
