> STCS News

CIEH The need for workplace safety

When operating a food business of any type and size it can be all too easy to focus only upon Food Hygiene and the safety of the product, understandable perhaps when the amount of investment that will have been used to create a food safe environment with all of the attendant systems and procedures; but has the safety of employees been overlooked on the mission for food safety excellence.

Manufacturing injuries in the Food & Drink Industry

A quarter of all manufacturing injuries still occur in the food industry. In the ten year period April 1997 to March 2007 over 94,000 workers in the food and drink industries suffered an injury reportable to HSE and there were 37 fatal injuries (excluding contractors). The combined injury rate for food and drink industries is among the highest of manufacturing injury rates. Indeed the injury rate is 1.6 times the average for manufacturing industries generally and is 1.8 times that of the construction industry.

The main causes of injury continue to be:

• manual handling/musculoskeletal injury
• slips on wet or food contaminated floors
• falls from height
• workplace transport, Fork Lift Trucks (FLTs)
• struck by something (e.g. sharp knives or falling objects)
• machinery

So What are the Primary Causes of Fatal Injuries?

Of these, the main causes of fatal injury continue to be workplace transport (including FLTs), falls from height and machinery.

The main causes of occupational ill health continue to be:

• musculoskeletal injuries
• dermatitis
• noise
• occupational asthma
• rhinitis
• work related stress

Ref HSE website.

Diversity of the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry & Workplace Health and Safety

When the diversity and type of food and drink manufacturing is considered it is easy to see the potential for this level of injuries, and then also consider the logistics of moving product from one location to another and delivery to customer the situation takes on a greater level of enormity.
So, despite marginal net profits the food manufacturing business is faced with a further challenge to improve upon health and safety in the workplace (more…)

Food Hygiene Consultancy Services

from STCS - SHEilds Training and Consultancy Services

SHEilds Training and Consultancy Services is an appropriative training and development partner across a diverse range of companies, from micro businesses to corporate organisations; the current Lead Tutor / Consultant of STCS Paul Bell has over twenty five years management experience in the food industry, in particular in the processing sector.

“Having worked in the food industry in senior positions in Technical, Production and Operations roles allows me the relevant experience to focus STCS resources to work in a collaborative manner with clients to provide realistic and cost effective solutions”. Paul Bell

STCS takes a holistic view of providing food hygiene consultancyservices, food hygiene and general health and safety training to companies with the provision of sustainable training, which is focused on both the continuous development of the business and equally the development of the individual.

Training Needs Analysis

Quite often when we undertake a Training Needs Analysis of a company. We find that the training no matter how good, is not appropriate for that business, and has been sold as a quick fix in reaction to a code of practise change or the take up of government sponsored training incentive; this often creates a solution at the expense of creating several more!

STCS can offer training from the induction of those employees new to the food sectors and at the other end of the spectrum the training that allows Directors and senior manager’s even greater insight into their role of corporate governance.

Approved Training Provider

In addition to being approved training providers for organisations such as the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the (CIEH) Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the (RIPH) Royal Institute for Public Health, STCS also provide consultancy services across a broad range of areas such as; Food Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety, Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Environmental Management to list but a few.

Understanding Business Needs

STCS understand the physical and financial demands that food companies are faced with and that reduced profits affecting almost all food sectors do not allow for large training budgets. STCS can provide a multi solution approach to such conditions and can if required in addition to training provide a managed interim development infrastructure allowing your business to operate with the minimum of disruption to the working day.

To discuss your requirements or for a free consultation
call STCS on +44(0)1482 639 510

CIEH Course prices from £100 per person.

CIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety

Introduction to CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety

For those working in all food businesses at a supervisory level

• Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering
• Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing
• Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Retail

CIEH Level 3 Awards in Food Safety Overview

CIEH Level 3 Awards in Food Safety - Changes in legislation effective from January 2006 have placed greater onus and accountability on anyone in the food business with supervisory responsibility. It is therefore vital they are equipped with both the knowledge and confidence to do their job effectively.

CIEH - New levels

In response to the requirements of the Sector Skills Councils and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the CIEH are launching new sector-specific awards in food safety which will replace the CIEH Intermediate Certificate in Food Safety.

CIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety - Course Benefits

• Promotes good practice and safer working environments
• Can help to reduce insurance premiums and minimise the risk of litigation
• Valued by environmental health professionals
• Developed to nationally recognised standards as identified by the sector skills council
• Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
• Examination papers are available in almost any Language
• Accredited training extends the duration of employment and reduces recruitment costs.

Syllabus - CIEH Level 3 in Food Safety

• The CIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety training programme covers the following topics:
• Legislation
• Supervisory management
• Temperature control (chilling, cooking)
• Cleaning
• Contamination control
• Applying and monitoring good hygiene practices
• Implementing good food safety procedures
• Contributing to the safety training of others

Further information - CIEH Level 3 Food Safety Course

• CIEH Course Duration: 3 Day
• CIEH Examination: Multiple Choice
• QCA Accredited: Yes

Price per CIEH course (+ VAT):

• 0-5 Candidates: £995
• 6-10 Candidates: £1’295
• 11-15 Candidates: £1’495

Prices include all certification and workbooks

• Larger class sizes are available

Telephone: +44 (0) 1482 639 510

Prices quoted are for the CIEH Level 3 Awards in Food Safety courses to be delivered at STCS test centres and subject to confirmation, Courses may be delivered on a client premises subject to terms and conditions. Please contact our customer services department for further details.

CIEH Course prices from £60 per person.

CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety

Introduction to CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety

Fundamental food hygiene knowledge for all food handlers

• Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
• Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Manufacturing
• Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail

CIEH Level 2 Food Safety Course Overview

CIEH Level 2 Awards in Food Safety have been designed to address the food safety needs of the catering, manufacturing and retail sectors, which will replace the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene.

CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety - Course Benefits

• Promotes good practice and safer working environments
• Can help to reduce insurance premiums and minimise the risk of litigation
• Valued by environmental health professionals
• Developed to nationally recognised standards as identified by the sector skills council
• Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
• Examination papers are available in almost any Language
• Accredited training extends the duration of employment and reduces recruitment costs.

Syllabus - CIEH Level 2 in Food Safety

• The CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety training programme covers the following topics:
• Legislation
• Food safety hazards
• Temperature control
• Refrigeration, chilling and cold holding
• Cooking, hot holding and reheating
• Food handling
• Principles of safe food storage
• Cleaning
• Food premises and equipment

Further information - CIEH Level 2 Food Safety Course

• CIEH Course Duration: 1 Day
• CIEH Examination: Multiple Choice
• QCA Accredited: Yes

Price per CIEH course (+ VAT):

• 1-5 Candidates:£495
• 6-10 Candidates:£695
• 11-15 Candidates:£895

Prices include all CIEH certification and workbooks

Telephone: +44 (0) 1482 639 510

Prices quoted are for the CIEH Level 2 Awards in Food Safety courses to be delivered at STCS test centres and subject to confirmation, Courses may be delivered on a client premises subject to terms and conditions. Please contact our customer services department for further details.

CIEH Course prices from £50 per person.

CIEH Level 1 Awards in Food Safety

Introduction to CIEH Level 1 Food Safety

• Level 1 Award in Food Safety Awareness in Catering
• Level 1 Award in Induction into Food Safety for Manufacturing
• Level 1 Award in Food Safety Awareness for Retail

CIEH Level 1 Awards in Food Safety Course overview

The new CIEH Level 1 in food safety are run as half-day courses, suitable for a variety of candidates, including new employees with minimal or no prior food safety knowledge, employees handling low-risk or wrapped food or those who work front of house, such as waiting or check out staff, as well as back of house such as kitchen porters or warehouse staff.

CIEH Level 1 Award in Food Safety - Course Benefits

• Promotes good practice and safer working environments
• Can help to reduce insurance premiums and minimise the risk of litigation
• Valued by environmental health professionals
• Developed to nationally recognised standards as identified by the sector skills council
• Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
• Examination papers are available in almost any Language
• Accredited training extends the duration of employment and reduces recruitment costs.

Syllabus - CIEH Level Award 1 in Food Safety

The CIEH Level 1 in Food Safety training programme covers the following topics:

• Food Safety (food hygiene, hazards, responsibilities)
• Personal Hygiene
• Cleaning
• Contamination

• CIEH Course Duration: ½ Day
• CIEH Examination: Multiple Choice
• QCA Accredited: Yes

Price per CIEH course (+ VAT)

• 0-5 Candidates: £375
• 6-10 Candidates: £650
• 11-15 Candidates: £750

Prices include all CIEH certification and workbooks

Telephone: +44 (0) 1482 639 510

Prices quoted are for the CIEH Level 1 Awards in Food Safety courses to be delivered at STCS test centres and subject to confirmation, Courses may be delivered on a client premises subject to terms and conditions. Please contact our customer services department for further details.