REHIS News

The law requires employers to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air in the workplace and this has not changed during the pandemic. Good ventilation, together with social distancing, keeping your workplace clean and frequent handwashing, can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have updated their guidance to  help businesses identify poorly ventilated areas in the workplace and provides steps to take to improve ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature. It will apply in most workplaces and includes guidance on:

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has today published Self-Assessment tools for food businesses and food retail establishments.

The UK Government has launched a consultation on proposals to ban online adverts for foods high in fat, sugar and salt in the UK. The areas being consulted on include: 

Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland have produced a guidance document to support food business operators with preparing for the investigations that will take place if an outbreak of COVID-19 is suspected in the workforce.

Food Standards Scotland have updated its guidance for food business operators (FBOs) and their employees on 30 October. It aims to assist all businesses in the food and drink sector in following government guidance on infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19.

Dr Tracy Morse, Honorary Vice-President of the Institute, has returned from Malawi and is now based back in Scotland. Tracy has taken up the position as Head of the Centre for Sustainable Development at Strathclyde University. Tracy will be continuing the research work in Malawi and also with her teaching. Tracy is very keen that Strathclyde University continues to work with the Environmental Health profession in areas of research and teaching which tackle Environmental Health issues.

Scottish Licensing Courses

The Institute has been working with the Scottish Government, People 1st, the SQA and other awarding bodies to review the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) and Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (Refresher) (SCPLHR) qualifications.  

As a result of this, the Institute is delighted to announce that from 1 December 2020, Approved Training Centres can apply to the Institute to offer these courses. 

The President was delighted to announce, at the recent Annual General Meeting, that Honorary Membership has been conferred on Tom Bell in recognition for the many years Tom has committed and contributed to the field of Environmental Health.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance has recently been updated.

The changes include updates to the frequently asked questions page and amendment to amusements in games in hospitality statutory guidance section.

The Institute’s Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 20 November and for the first time in the history of the Institute it was held virtually as a result of COVID-19. Lisa McCann, elected President welcomed fifty-nine members to the virtual meeting where she give an interesting Presidential Report and the election of the 2020/21 Council took place. Thank you to all those who were able to attend.

Current members of the Council can be found here.