REHIS News

Food Standards Scotland has published its strategic ambitions for the next five years. It will focus on the issues that matter most to people in Scotland, including renewed emphasis on improving the Scottish diet and associated negative health consequences.

On 5 May 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region celebrated World Hand Hygiene Day with the launch of three improvement tools, which highlight the roles healthcare workers, infection prevention and control (IPC) experts, and hospital managers play in achieving effective hand hygiene.

The Scottish Government have released advice cards highlighting key ventilation practice within the workplace. Keeping the workplace well ventilated is vital to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees, customers and local communities safe.

OSHCR is the only HSE-backed source of assured, independent, consultancy OSH advice and there are some changes to the way it is managed.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has taken over management of the register. This is in many respects a logical step given that a large proportion of those on the register are IOSH members.

IOSH will be investing in raising the profile of OSHCR, helping to ensure that it is known for providing access to a valuable source of credible, independent OSH professionals.

The Western Isles' mild oceanic climate could be helping a pest to survive in places where it was not previously thought to thrive

Ticks can often be encountered in woodland, but new research has found high numbers in some treeless island habitats.

Lyme disease can be spread to humans from the bite of infected ticks.

Researchers found some isles had an incidence of the disease 40 times higher than the Scottish average.

The Western Isles has been trying to tackle the risk posed by infected ticks for a number of years.

The Scottish Government has published Coronavirus (COVID-19): close contact services which is for people who provide close contact services such as hairdressers, barbers and beauticians on working safely during coronavirus. This has previously been held within the Retail Sector guidance but has now been separated to have its own guidance.

As restriction ease Environmental Health departments will be ensuring businesses across all sectors are adhering to current Coronavirus Regulations and Guidance. Officers will continue to follow 'the 4 Es' approch: Engage. Explain. Encourage. Enforce. 

As places reopens, businesses should ensure their workplace is safe by following the appropriate government sector advice here.

In general, the following workplace controls remain unchanged:

This year’s Clean Air Day online resources for Clean Air Day 2021 have gone live ahead of the June 17 campaign. The 2021 packs enable all audiences across the UK from individuals, schools, businesses, health organisations, community groups and local authorities to demonstrate support for action on air pollution and have their say about building a healthy future for our children.

Guidance for the retail sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist has been updated. The update also has moved Close contact services which was once contained in this guidance to separate guide.

A planning application to deliver the UK’s largest electrolyser has been submitted by ScottishPower. The 20MW electrolyser will be the key component of a green hydrogen facility located close to ScottishPower’s Whitelee windfarm.