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Air handling units (411) Service
Ventilation and air-conditioning systems which are poorly installed or maintained may be a health risk to the public. The local authority can provide advice and guidance on all aspects of installation and can require that detailed plans are submitted for inspection prior to installation of new units. This particularly applies to catering establishments.
Animal by-products enforcement (1774) Service
The local authority is responsible for ensuring that anyone in the area who works with animal by-products complies with regulations including those on how to process, transport, store and dispose of such products.
Environmental health emergencies out of hours (601) Service
Out of hours emergency cover to deal with environmental health problems involving serious events, fatalities, noise pollution, imminent risks to health.
Environmental health placements (846) Service
To develop a career in Environmental Health you need to undertake an accredited course that is recognised by the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board, together with a 48 week work experience placement. Local authorities may run appropriate courses and offer placements to students.
Environmental information regulations (879) Service
Enforceable regulations that govern the public's right to access environmental information held by public authorities including local authorities. Environmental information covered by the regulations includes the state of the air, atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscape, as well as factors affecting the above elements such as substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, emissions, discharges into the environment.
Food poisoning and contamination (408) Service
This service investigates food poisoning and certain other food borne illnesses to prevent the spread of illness within the community and to try and establish possible causes.
Food safety advice (845) Service
The local authority provides advice and information to food businesses in the local area to ensure that all food supplied is wholesome and produced in a clean, hygienic manner
Food safety enforcement (407) Service
Food legislation places an obligation on food business operators to ensure that all their activities are carried out in a hygienic way and makes it an offence to supply food which is unsafe or harmful to human health. In the UK local authorities are responsible for ensuring that businesses comply with these requirements. Environmental health teams deal with hygiene except at primary production (farms), where trading standards and other bodies have responsibility.
Food safety inspections (406) Service
The local authority carries out regular checks on all food premises to ensure the public is protected and that high standards are maintained. Inspections take place on a frequency determined by the perceived risk in each premises and ensure that risks have been identified, staff are adequately trained and the condition and cleanliness of the premises meets required standards.
Housing and public health (661) Service
Providing advice and information to the public on all aspects of public health relating to housing. Enforcement of public health and housing regulations.
Infectious disease investigation (435) Service
Investigation of notifications of infectious diseases such as food poisoning received from GPs, the public, businesses and other local authorities.
Private water supply analysis (1051) Service
In general terms a private water supply is on which is not a 'mains' supply. Most private supplies are situated in the more remote, rural parts of the country. The source of the supply may be a well, borehole, spring, burn, river, loch or lochin. The supply may serve just one property or several properties through a network of pipes. The environmental health department will usually offer to monitor the quality and safety of private drinking water supplies. In most circumstances, for domestic premises this is a free service. Tests on the chemical and microbiological quality of the water will be carried out. Guidance will be provided to improve the quality of the water should it fail any of the tests.
Rabies protection (847) Service
All rabies susceptible animals entering the UK are required to spend six months in quarantine, unless arriving under and complying with all the conditions of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). The port authority is responsible for ensuring that such animals are taken directly into quarantine on arrival.
Scientific services (1011) Service
The fundamental purpose of the Scientific Service is to protect the public from unfair or unsafe trade practices and to promote good health and clean environment for the benefit of local citizens and businesses. The Service provides a scientific advisory and analytical service, of a quality acceptable to UK Government and the EC. The service operates in four key areas - food standards, consumer safety, environmental protection and health and safety at work.
Smoke control areas (1575) Service
Local authorities may declare the whole or part of the district of the authority to be a Smoke Control Area. It is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building, (commercial or residential), from a furnace or from any fixed boiler if located in a designated smoke control area. It is also an offence to acquire an 'unauthorised fuel' for use within a Smoke Control Area unless it is used in an 'exempt' appliance ('exempted' from the controls which generally apply in the smoke control area).
Smoking ban (1086) Service
Enforcement of a ban on smoking in most enclosed public spaces. Environmental Health Officers have the power to enter all 'no-smoking premises' in order to establish that the smoke-free legislation is being enforced in accordance with the law and can give out fixed penalty notices to people whom they believe are committing, or have committed, an offence.
Swimming pool and spa pool monitoring (1597) Service
Monitoring the quality of water in public swimming pools and spa pools. The frequency of monitoring is usually risk based and dependant on factors such as the frequency of usage of the pool. It is the responsibility of the operator to carry out their own more frequent checks. The Health and Safety Executive and Health Protection Agency have developed joint guidance on the management of spa pools to control risk of infection
Water fluoridation schemes (1776) Service
Water fluoridation is considered as a safe and effective measure to help people improve their oral health. Local authorities can implement, vary or terminate water fluoridation schemes in their area. The authority is responsible for operating any such schemes in their area.