Environmental Health - Commercial Division

Food Safety and Hygiene, Infectious Disease Control, Water Supplies, Health and Safety at Work, Licensing, Pollution from Commercial Premises.

Principal Environmental Health Officer
Peter Burke

Environmental Health Officer
Helen Jones

Environmental Health Officer
Daniel Bradding

Environmental Health Officer
John Hawkes

Senior Technician
Stephen Ashton

Contact information for Runnymede's Food Safety Department

The Commercial division is responsible for the routine inspection of over 650 food premises in the Borough, including all restaurants, shops, catering facilities and mobile outlets. Compliance with food safety law is sort through an educational approach and enforcement where necessary. An establishment may be closed if it is found to pose an imminent risk to the public.

Food complaints brought to the Council's attention will be investigated for evidence of physical, chemical or biological contamination. Participation in national food sampling surveys is undertaken and food alerts are implemented where product recalls are deemed necessary.

Infectious Disease Control

Individual cases of food poisonings and water bourne infectious disease are investigated. Investigations are carried out in conjunction with the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control where larger outbreaks are suspected.

Water Supplies

The Department independently monitors mains and private water supplies in conjunction with the Three Valleys Water Company to ensure a wholesome supply to the public.

Health and Safety at Work

The division is responsible for the enforcement of Health and Safety standards in around 1400 premises, including private offices, shops and warehouses. It also has a role in advising the Council on Municipal Safety issues (the safety of the Council's staff and visitors to Council facilities).

Licensing and Registrations

The division carries out a wide range of Licensing duties which include Animal boarding and breeding establishments, pet shops, dangerous wild animals and riding establishments.

Registration of Tattoo Parlours, Ear Piercing and electrolysis treatments are also administered within the section.

Staff

These notes give only a brief overview of the complex and increasingly scientific work of the Environmental Protection Division.

The staff comprise:-

(i) Environmental Health Officers - who have completed either a B.Sc, MSc or Diploma course in Environmental Health and in some cases hold additional post graduate qualifications, either in technical or managerial subjects or both.

(ii) Technicians - who have usually completed a B.Tec course and qualified as Environmental Health Technicians. Some specialise in particular subjects such as noise, information technology, food, health and safety, pests or licensing, have obtained additional qualifications and provide invaluable support to the department.

The division has access to a range of specialist monitoring equipment in order to assist them with their work.