This chart shows the structure for the Environmental Health service for Wealden Council. A total of 21.75 full-time officers are engaged in the shared Environmental Health service at an annual cost of £1,088,950.
The health and safety service of Wealden District Council is carried out by the Food and Safety Team as part of the shared Environmental Health service and interlinks with neighbouring local authorities, Health and Safety Executive and Regulatory Delivery (Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy).
Work Achieved 2023-24 and Plan for 2024-25
Our work plan uses a range of interventions – advice and guidance, spotting safety problems during food hygiene/licensing inspections, reactive investigations into accidents and complaints, taking appropriate enforcement action and working with partner agencies on traditional Sussex bonfires.
Provision of advice and guidance
Wealden Council offers a range of business advice through the website at
Business Support
The Wealden business newsletter and support leaflet are available in hard copy or electronically to all and includes health and safety advice for business.
Advice is available for those thinking of starting a new business on the website at
Starting up a business, which links to the Health and safety advice webpage.
The Environmental Health service webpages provide health and safety advice at
health and safety advice at Health and safety at work the basics for business
Matters of Evident concern
During food hygiene and licensing inspections, officers may spot safety problems which need immediate action to remediate the risk. These matters of evident concern may not be the reason why the officer is on site, but are self-evident and could lead to serious personal injury or illness. Twenty-two such reports were made in 2023-4, including.
- An unprotected mezzanine floor from which employees could fall when retrieving stock
- Damaged wooden steps used by employees to retrieve goods
- Unguarded meat slicer in butchery
- Leaking dishwasher created wet floor – slipping hazard.
- Oil split on kitchen floor from deep fat fryer – the officer fell.
- Inadequate protection for those using deep fat fryer – risk of burns to arms
- Lack of gas safety certificates
It was obvious to officers that many businesses were struggling with costs. This resulted in cost cutting or lack of maintenance. There were numerous examples where the business was aware of damaged electrics but had not sought the expertise required to repair safely.
Investigation of accidents, incidents and complaints
Reported accidents, incidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) and complaints are subjected to the HSE’s incident selection criteria and complaints handling criteria. This means that each complaint is investigated if it poses a significant risk to safety or health.
Food and Health and Safety Complaint Investigation Policy – Wealden District Council – Wealden District Council
In 2023-4 thirty-one complaints were made about a variety of health and safety issues in businesses – disrepair in the workplace, excessive noise and smoking inside the workplace were among the concerns raised. We also receive reports from insurance companies when lifts, forklift trucks and other lifting equipment fails their statutory inspections.
Eighty-nine reports of accidents and incidents were received through the RIDDOR system.
- An employee slipped on the stairs and fell down the remainder of the flight resulting in extensive bruising. Investigation revealed the anti-slip grip on the edge of the stairs had become loose.
- Grounds keeper slipped on wet grass allowing the equipment in use to crush the persons foot. Investigation revealed – Had not used the “dead mans handle” – retraining recommended.
- Employee was guiding a roll cage down a ramp when it hit a damaged patch of flooring, the roll cage fell onto the persons’ leg causing extensive bruising. Company repaired flooring when report submitted.
- A thorough investigation was made when a report was received which described an employee suffering broken ribs and a punctured lung, following a fall down a stairway, while carrying stock down two flights to the shop floor. The officer discovered that the goods lift provided for this work, had been out of action for several weeks. Following the intervention of an officer, the goods lift was restored to use. The business accepted the full recommendations made by the investigating officer.
- A full investigation was made into reports that the swimming pool floor, at Freedom Leisure Hailsham caused lacerations to children’s feet. This resulted in the temporary closure of the facility and the recoating of the swimming pool floor. No further such reports have been received.
- One fatality at work was reported from a business in Polegate. This has been
investigated and the officer’s report is with HM Coroner.
Enforcement Actions
Two enforcement notices were issued in 2023-4. Both relate to serious incidents which remain under investigation.
Safety Advisory Groups
Traditional Sussex bonfires and firework displays are held throughout the district. Some of these events are held on district and parish council owned land and attract very large numbers of visitors. These events can pose crushing and burning risks in crowds. This work is recognised by the HSE as suitable for proactive intervention by local authorities to prevent injuries to members of the public (safety priority 8).
To protect public safety Wealden DC Environmental Health chairs Safety Advisory groups for the traditional bonfire societies of Chiddingly, East Hoathly, Hailsham, Heathfield, lsfield and Little Horsted, Mayfield, Ninfield, Rotherfield, Warbleton and Rushlake Green and Uckfield. Buxted bonfire society is reforming and will have its first SAG this summer.
The aim of the Safety Advisory Group is to bring together the bonfire society and the local authority with Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire & Ambulance, Southeast Coast Ambulance to review the safety plans for the event. The plans are discussed, and advice is given, where needed, to all parties to improve arrangements.
In 2023-4 eight safety advisory groups were held – some in person, others online, to review risk assessments and other arrangements. This was the first full year without the involvement of Sussex Police planning unit. Sussex Police presence on the night of bonfire celebrations was significantly reduced on previous years. Minimal contributions were made by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS).
EHHCS – East Hoathly & Halland Carnival Society
During the Mayfield carnival evening, disorder broke out which resulted in an injury to a police officer. Environmental health Officers held an urgent meeting of the safety advisory group in the days following this incident. Organisers and the police came together to discuss what had happened and how it could be prevented at future events. This learning will be applied by the Safety Advisory Group for this years’ carnival and bonfire event in Mayfield.
Police officer injured in Sussex funfair attack | ITV News Meridian
Plan for 2024-25
We will continue giving advice to businesses, responding to complaints from the public, and taking enforcement where necessary. We will also continue with the Safety Advisory Group work.
We will raise awareness of the need to report accidents at work through the RIDDOR system
www.hse.gov.uk/riddor. The number of accident reports received are very small (89 in 2023-4), compared to the number of businesses in Wealden (8585). Not all accidents are reportable, not all businesses in Wealden are subject to local authority health and safety enforcement, but we would expect to receive more than a hundred reported accidents annually. We will email all businesses reminding them of their obligations about accidents at work.
We will continue to raise awareness of the risks associated with inflatable devices.
Nationally, there have been several serious incidents where inflatable amusement devices have collapsed or blown away in windy conditions. Inflatables can be found at many local premises, and we will raise awareness of the general risks associated with the operation of such devices. That devices are correctly anchored to the ground, there are suitable arrangements for measuring wind conditions at regular intervals, there is written documentation from a competent inspection body to show it complies with British Standard BS EN 14960. Full details at
Inflatables – Wealden District Council – Wealden District Council
Safety of pressurised coffee machines
Many high street food outlets have a pressurised coffee machine, which should be subject to regular servicing to ensure the correct pressure is maintained. During food inspections, we will check the correct servicing has been completed and if not, we will act. This is a local campaign.
Electrical Safety in Hospitality Settings
Many hospitality venues have extended their space to make the most of outdoor areas. We will urge pubs, restaurants, and cafes to ensure outdoor electrical equipment such as lights and heaters are specifically designed for outdoor use, installed by a competent person, and checked regularly for damage or water ingress. If we identify problems, we will take action to ensure the electrical fittings are made safe. (HSE National Priority No.5)
Working with other regulators
The Food and Safety team will continue to work with Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Southeast Coast Ambulance on safety at traditional bonfire events and other outdoor events.
Special Project – Funeral Directors
In April 2024 all local authorities received a request from the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Local Government and Levelling Up, that we carry out visits to all local funeral homes. This unexpected and unusual request follows the criminal investigation into Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull, and other similar cases. Four-week update on Legacy Funeral Directors investigation | Humberside Police
This project is to “reassure the public that local funeral directors are safe, professional and care for loved ones as we would all want”.
We have been asked to do a basic check that funeral directors comply with health
and safety legislation regarding buildings, vehicles and equipment.
The greater part of the project is about ensuring the dignity and condition of persons
In the funeral directors’ care; traceability through the funeral procedure and
transparency for families. The information collected is to be provided to the two
government departments, for their consideration.
We have also been asked to gather information on funeral plans and to report our
findings to Financial Conduct Authority.
Where appropriate we will give advice to funeral directors. Should we uncover
criminal activity, we will liaise with Sussex Police.
Although health and safety law applies to funeral directors, there is no sector
specific legislation. In 2020 the Competition and Markets Authority recommended
that independent regulation was needed, which HM Government has agreed to.
We have begun preparations to deliver this project and expect to start the visits in
July.
Resources
The number of full-time equivalent officers allocated to work on health and safety regulatory activity is 2.4. The list below is of all officers authorised by Wealden DC under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. Note EHORB is the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board.
| Environmental Health Officer |
Additional Qualification |
Level Authorisation/Inspection |
Level Authorisation/Enfocement |
| Edwards, Simon |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Hoyland, Richard |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Kamunda, Maybee |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Kane, Una |
EHORB registration Env Health Degree Health and Safety Diploma MSc |
A-E |
Full |
| Oginni, Oladayo |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Piper, Richard |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Powell, Jamie |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Simmonds, Rachel |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Whitcombe, Ann |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
| Wright, Philip |
EHORB Registration Env Health Degree |
A-E |
Full |
Environmental Health Officers outside the Food, Safety team who are authorised:
| Name |
Role |
| Parker-Harding, Richard |
Head of Environmental Health |
| Randolph, Mark |
Senior Environmental Health Officer |
| Beaumont, Catherine |
Deputy Head of Environmental Health |
| Biggs, Steve |
Senior Environmental Health Officer |
Database
During 2024-5 a new cloud-based database was brought into use – ldox Public Protection. Every accident report, service request, investigation etc. is recorded on the database. The Environmental Health Manager provided training for all members of FAST, including procedure notes.
Reference materials
All reference materials and internal work procedures are stored on the RIAMS website. In addition, there is material available on the HSE’s general website and secure extranet site, a library of law encyclopedias and reference books is maintained in the office.
Competency and Consistency of Officers
The shared Environmental Health service between Wealden and Rother has created resilience, improving collective knowledge and experience. Annual appraisals are conducted to identify training needs which form an annual training programme. In 2023-4 training was directed towards the use of the new cloud-based database, ldox Public Protection and a fatal accident investigation exercise.
Every member of the team attends external seminars, to progress their professional knowledge and self-development.
It is essential that officers are well informed and knowledgeable in health and safety matters. Competency of all officers is judged against HSC (G) 4 “Standards of Competency”, using a matrix developed by the Sussex Health and Safety Liaison Group. Annual appraisals are conducted to review performance and to identify specific training needs. Officers attend training days, county liaison meetings and food and safety team meetings. During 2023-4 all team meetings were held in person.
Wealden continues to attend and support the Sussex Health and Safety Liaison Group. This group includes all Sussex local authorities that are responsible for regulating health and safety and includes a representative from the HSE. It encourages the sharing of knowledge and expertise and develops joint resources.
Complaints Against Service
Wealden operates a local complaints procedure which allows anyone dissatisfied with the Council’s service to pursue their complaint and expect a quick response. No complaints were made against the service in 2023-4.
Customer Survey
A proportion of businesses are contacted online to seek their views on how we perform. These responses are collated and contribute to the performance management monitoring and reporting carried out by the Environmental Health Service. This includes taking action where performance does not meet the expected standards.
Disclosure of Information
Disclosures will be made on receipt of a written application under the Freedom of Information Act 2001.
Contact Details
Website:
www.wealden.gov.uk
E-mail:
foodhs@rother.gov.uk
Telephone: 01424 787550
Address: Vicarage Lane Hailsham East Sussex BN27 2AX
Agreed and Approved
This service plan has been agreed by Cllr K Williams Portfolio Holder and is published on the Wealden District Council website.
Decision – Health and Safety Service Plan 2024/25 (Recommendation to Full Council) – Councillors Committees – Wealden District Council
Signed:
R Parker Harding
Mr R Parker-Harding BSc (Hons) MSc OMS MCIEH CIEnv AMIOA Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner
Head of Environmental Health
Dated: 22nd July 2024
Signed:
K Williams
Councillor Mr K Williams
Cabinet Portfolio Holder Public Health and Asset Management
Dated: 22nd July 2024
Health and Safety work is carried out by Environmental Health Officers who also conduct food hygiene inspections, infectious disease investigations, commercial and residential caravan site licensing, skin piercing registrations, kennel and cattery licensing, risk assess private water supplies, pest control and stray dog control.
The service operates Monday to Friday from Vicarage Lane Hailsham from 8 30am – to 5pm Monday – Friday; 01323 443322. Planned out-of-hours work is undertaken and emergency calls are taken by the standby system (Cornwall Council) on 01424 787868.
