Launch Your Career in Commercial Health & Hygiene!

Posted on | by Kevan

Are you a graduate or someone with a passion for health and safety? HSQC is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our growing Health & Safety Team.

We are seeking graduates and suitably qualified individuals to join us as a student Commercial & Industrial 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.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • A two-year work experience training program as a trainee Student Technician.
  • Work alongside our experienced Pest Management Team and Safety Officers.
  • Gain valuable hands-on experience through real-world audits.
  • Develop a strong foundation in hygiene, health and safety theory and practices.

This is your chance to:

  • Launch your career in a dynamic and rewarding field.
  • Make a real difference in the safety and well-being of others.
  • Learn from industry experts and gain practical skills.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Is a recent graduate or has relevant qualifications.
  • Has a strong interest in hygiene, health and safety.
  • Is a team player with a positive attitude.
  • Is eager to learn and grow their skillset.

Just some of the skills and duties you’ll be involved in include:

  • Conducting commercial and industrial inspections of public and private facilities to identify and assess potential health hazards.
  • Enforcing regulations related to hygiene, health and safety.
  • Investigating health complaints such as food-borne illnesses, air quality concerns and water contamination.
  • Providing technical assistance to individuals and organisations regarding health regulations and best practices.
  • Evaluating food safety practices in restaurants, stores and other food establishments to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
  • Managing data such as inspection reports to track trends and identify areas of concern.
  • Developing and implementing health programmes.

Ready to take the next step? For details and to express an interest, email with your CV: [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

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)

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?

Swedish water park fire

Posted on | by Kevan

fire safety hazard checksIn the news this week:

Video footage from a fire at Liseburg water park, showing how quickly the fire took hold.

For support with fire safety issues and inspections at your leisure facility, 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 BBC News here (13.02.24)

Cancer risk from refrigerated potatoes?

Posted on | by Kevan

killer spudsIn the news this week:

Which food stuffs should not be refrigerated? The presence of acrylamide in certain food such as potatoes kept in the fridge and then cooked has been known about for some years. However, there is a growing trend amongst food inspectors to see whether food businesses know as much about its potential risks as they should.

For assistance with food safety and health and safety issues within your catering operation, 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 Food Standards Agency here (26.04.22)

Full article from MSN.com here (16.02.24)

Is your fire safety regime up to date?

Posted on | by Kevan

fire safety checksIn the news this week:

A terrible fire took hold and destroyed an apartment block in Valencia. It was reported that fire alarms within the building did not work.

For assistance with fire safety issues within 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 The Guardian online here (23.02.24)