• Food Safety Auditing;
• HACCP Development and Implementation;
• Food Hygiene Training (Foundation and Intermediate levels);
• Food Poisoning Investigation;
• Health & Safety Auditing;
• Health & Safety Policy Development;
• Health & Safety Risk Assessment; and
• Health & Safety Training

Food Safety Auditing
Food safety auditing can assist food businesses in the identification of potential food safety hazards and the promotion of improved standards of food safety. Stewart Harris Agnew can undertake audits of your food business, identifying potential breaches of food safety legislation and unsatisfactory practices which could lead to Local Authority intervention or other food safety problems (e.g. food poisoning). Our audit reports include not only what is required to comply with the law, but recommendations to achieve best practice in the food industry. Audits can be undertaken against either a client's in house standards or using SHAP's own standards for food premises. SHAP is experienced in undertaking food safety audits of the complete range of food businesses from simple catering operations to high care food manufacturing operations.

HACCP Development and Implementation
HACCP (a form of food safety risk assessment) has been a requirement of food safety law from 1995. However since the 1st January 2006, a new European regulation (EC) 852/2004 Article 5, paragraph 1 has introduced the additional requirement that all food businesses must document their food safety risk assessments and document the routine monitoring records (e.g. fridge and freezer temperature records) which are undertaken to control the hazards identified during the food safety risk assessment. Failure to undertake and document a food safety risk assessment and to keep monitoring records is an offence. Stewart Harris Agnew can help food businesses by undertaking detailed food safety risk assessments (or HACCP studies); identifying the unique food safety hazards which may exist and in the development of suitable controls and monitoring procedures. An audit of a client's food operation is initially undertaken to prepare the risk assessment. Businesses are provided with a comprehensive manual containing their unique food safety risk assessment and copies of all necessary monitoring documentation. Training in the correct operation of the monitoring system can also be provided, but this is usually not necessary.

Food Hygiene Training (Foundation and Intermediate levels)
Stewart Harris Agnew offers the following Chartered Institution of Environmental Health (CIEH) courses:

• Foundation Level Food Hygiene Certificate Training
• Intermediate Level Food Hygiene Certificate Training

Food Poisoning Investigation
In the unfortunate event of a food poisoning complaint, Stewart Harris Agnew can assist in the investigation of such complaints. We can liase with the affected party, reassuring them that their complaint is being thoroughly investigated by an experienced third party. We can arrange for food samples; surfaces; ice supplies, etc. to be microbiologically tested. We can audit suppliers premises and standards. If required, we can assist in liasing with Local Authority Environmental Health Officers. In the event that an allegation of food poisoning is confirmed, we can assist in the development of systems to minimise the potential for the recurrence of similar problems.

Health & Safety Auditing
Workplace accidents can be avoided if employers observe high standards of health and safety in the workplace. Complying with the increasingly complex array of health and safety legislation can also assist in reducing workplace accidents, but which regulations apply to your business and what do they actually require? Stewart Harris Agnew can help by undertaking a health and safety audit of your business. We look at all aspects of the business and produce comprehensive reports detailing not only where there are failures to comply with legislative requirements, but also make recommendations in respect of good practice.

Health & Safety Policy Development
Written health & safety policies are a legal requirement for all businesses employing 5 or more staff (including part time). The need to have a health and safety policy should not however be seen as an administrative burden. Such policies can produce significant benefits in improving health and safety standards within an organisation, by specifying the standards/controls in place to minimise or prevent particular workplace hazards. Good quality health and safety policies also serve as a useful point of reference, providing answers to questions as diverse as what procedure should I follow if a member of my kitchen team tells me that she's pregnant? and do the Working at Height Regulations apply to the changing of kitchen lightbulbs?

Stewart Harris Agnew can help in the preparation of a bespoke health and safety policy for your business. A comprehensive policy manual containing all additional safety management documentation (e.g. accident investigation forms; internal health and safety audit report forms; induction training record forms, etc.) is prepared after a comprehensive health and safety audit of the clients business is undertaken.

Health & Safety Risk Assessment
Health and safety law requires that the operators of all businesses undertake an assessment of the risks to their staff when they are at work. The law also requires that employers with 5 or more staff document the significant findings of their risk assessments. Stewart Harris Agnew has extensive experience in assisting employers in the catering industry undertake health and safety risk assessments. For clients with multiple sites, part generic risk assessment packs can be provided which can be quickly completed to provide a unique, site specific health and safety risk assessment. Training in the operation of this risk assessment system can also be provided.

Health & Safety Training
SHAP can provide a wide range of health and safety training courses, including:

• Basic Health and Safety Certificate Training Course (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health)
• Intermediate Health and Safety Training Course (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health)

We would be delighted to answer any queries and, if you wish, we can arrange a meeting to fully explain our services and discuss what SHAP can do for you. If you would like to get in touch, simply mail us or call 0208 504 0669.