Net Zero by 2050

Posted on | by Kevan

net zero by 2050In the news this week:

HSQC is publicly committed to achieving Net Zero carbon neutrality by 2050. As an environmentally conscious business we are working towards the following targets:

  • Using ULEZ compliant vehicles, with the ambition of being electric-only by 2030.
  • Using public transport for travel where practicable.
  • Maintaining Working From Home when possible.
  • Moving towards paperless communication.
  • Using non-toxic baits for pest control where achievable.
  • Promoting the use of low energy lights in electronic fly killers.
  • Continuing the responsible  disposal of waste

We have an ongoing partnership with Fare Share, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste. Together, we save good food from going to waste and redistribute it to frontline charities.

HSQC offer support to food business operators in developing food safety management systems, offering hygiene training and auditing practices.  Contact us if you need any support with any of the above or to discuss our Net Zero commitments: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

World Food Safety Day 2024

Posted on | by Kevan

food safety hazardsIn the news this week:

Friday 7 June is World Food Safety Day 2024.

  • One in ten people worldwide fall ill from consuming contaminated food each year.
  • Over 200 diseases are caused by eating contaminated food.
  • 40% of the foodborne disease burden is carried by children under 5.

Governments, food business operators and consumers are called to action to tackle these areas.

As a food operator you must update your food safety management system, follow good hygiene practices and regularly train your staff.

As a consumer you must follow safe food handling practices in the home, report poor standards and labelling if you see these whilst out in the community.

World Food Safety Day 7 June 2024HSQC offer support to food business operators in developing food safety management systems, offering hygiene training and auditing practices at a location.  Contact us if you need any support with challenges arising from the article: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from World Health Organisation here (07.06.24)

Join our Team as a trainee EHT

Posted on | by Kevan

We are seeking graduates and suitably qualified individuals to join us as a student Environmental Hygiene Technician.

You will be enrolled on our 2 year work experience training programme. You will work alongside our Pest Management Team and Safety Officers gaining first hand practical and theoretical experience.

For details and to express an interest, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Unexpected visitor to A&E

Posted on | by Kevan

Pest control for hospitalsIn the news this week:

Rats and cockroaches have been identified inside English hospitals.

Do you have pests in your hospital setting? There are many potential hygiene issues.  What happens if these pests enter kitchen or food preparation areas of the hospital?

For support with cost effective solutions to deal with your infestation, email us at: [email protected]
HSQC can help to prevent pests entering your buildings and assist you in developing a pest management strategy for the hospital trust.

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from The Guardian here (09.04.24)

Hazard spotting becomes habit forming!

Posted on | by Kevan

A recent hotel stay for one of our consultants!

What are the potential health and safety hazards which come to mind? Which controls could be in place to negate the hazard? Has your hotel business got the correct documentation in place regarding windows?

If you need advice regarding the safety systems within your workplace, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

 

  • Possible hazards include:
  • Staff and customers falling out of the window
  • Fall from height
  • Contractor safety
  • Lack of training or risk assessment
  • Controls include:
  • Fitting adequate window restrictors
  • Staff and management checks on a regular basis to ensure restrictors are in place, in good repair and working correctly

The UK Health & Safety Executive says:
“Windows that are large enough to allow people to fall out should be restrained sufficiently to prevent such falls. The opening should be restricted to 100mm or less. Window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key.”

Did you spot them all?

electric fly killer best usage

Insectocutor queries

Posted on | by Kevan

insectocutor fly killerRegular queries come up during audit visits relating to the proper usage of electric flying insect killers.

Do they work?
Where should they be placed?
How often should they be cleaned?
Should they be kept on at all times, even through a cost of living crisis?
What is the best way to prevent flying insects from entering food premises?

If you need any pest control advice regarding the systems within your workplace, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

 

 

 

  • The short answers:
  • An insectocutor does help with the prevention of flying pests in food premises. It is normally a requirement of a food safety management system to provide one as pro-active pest control.
  • They are best placed in a dark area so the Ultra Violet light attracts flying insects. They should NOT go above a work surface, this could end up with flying insects in food items meaning foreign body contamination.
  • The unit in the larger picture clearly shows dead flies inside it. This now needs cleaning. For the UV bulbs to be continuously working it is vital to liaise with your pest control contractor regarding the cleaning and maintenance of the bulbs.
  • Yes, the unit must be kept on at all times to attract flying insects into the UV light. Always use compatible UV bulbs. We have seen units where the UV bulbs have been replaced with normal light bulbs! These will not attract flying insects.
  • The best way to prevent flying insects entering food premises is having screens on all openable windows and doors.

Did you get them all?

Can you believe it’s not…?

Posted on | by Kevan

In the news this week:

There is an ongoing discussion about food labelling in the UK: when is it misleading, and are new proposals draconian? Are you confident about the correct labelling of milk, cheese and dairy products in your business?

HSQC can support your operation and offer advice on appropriate food labelling, just email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from The Guardian online here (24.02.24)

How would you navigate a food borne disease outbreak?

Posted on | by Kevan

In the news this week:

A potential cholera outbreak left cruise ship guests in quarantine. What would you do if a food borne disease outbreak was associated with your premises?

For information and advice on the prevention of food borne diseases in your business, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

Full article from LBC News online here (27.02.24)

Hazards all around us…

Posted on | by Kevan

hazard analysisOne of our environmental health consultants was returning home and had to stop to snap this scene. Above the hedge is a gentleman undertaking some window cleaning activities on a domestic dwelling. On closer inspection he was standing on the conservatory roof with cleaning apparatus. Wow, so many questions!

Which potential health and safety hazards come to mind? Which controls should be in place to prevent a nasty accident?

If you need advice regarding the safety systems within your workplace, email us at: [email protected]

HSQC have over 40 years of experience as a leading international safety and quality management consultancy. Our team provide technical advice and laboratory and scientific support to businesses in the hospitality, food, leisure, tourism, and catering industries.

 

  • Possible hazards include:
  • Slip, trip & fall
  • Fall from height
  • Contractor safety
  • Lack of training or risk assessment
  • Potential Legionella from water spray
  • Controls include:
  • Use extension equipment from ground level
  • Work in pairs
  • Use appropriate working at height equipment such as mechanical lifts, fall arrest systems, towers

Did you spot them all?