Commercial Section -
Food Safety and Hygiene, Infectious Disease Control, Water Supplies, Health and Safety at Work, Licensing, Pollution from commercial premises.

Food Safety
The Commercial division is responsible for the routine inspection of over 700 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 hazard warnings 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 conjuction with the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control where larger outbreaks are suspected.

Water Supplies
The Department independently monitors mains and private water supplies in conjuction 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 over 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 the licensing of Taxis, places of Public Entertainment, Animal boarding and breeding establishments, pet shops, dangerous wild animals and riding establishments.

Registration of Tattoo Parlours, Ear Piercing and electrolysis treatments and 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.