Food Safety

Food Premises Inspections

Environmental Health Officers conduct regular unannounced inspections of all food premises in the City. Inspections are designed to assess the condition of the shop and the food hygiene practices involved. There are strict laws relating to food hygiene and safety under the Health Act.

Food transport vehicles are also inspected.

Food Handler Training - FoodSafe Program

The City of Nedlands supports and promotes the FoodSafe Food Handler Training Program.

FoodSafe is a basic self-training aid and food safety planning tool. It consists of a video, workbook and training manual.

Food shops that display the FoodSafe Certificate have completed the program and have had all staff training in basic food safety.

Council's Environmental Health Officers award the Certificates after the premises have been inspected and audited. Regular audits are conducted, and if the standards fall, the Certificate is removed.

The City of Nedlands awarded the very first FoodSafe Certificate in Australia to Caf Sol of 26 Stirling Highway, Nedlands in 1996.

Public Building Safety

Public Building Inspections

Public Buildings are defined as buildings or places where people assemble for a certain event (entertainment, social, educational, religious, etc) i.e pubs, clubs, sporting facilities, halls, etc.

Council's Environmental Health Service conducts routine and operational inspections of public buildings to ensure that ventilation, sanitary facilities, emergency escape and the maximum number of people attending are within approved standards.

Locked or obstructed exit doors/gates are prohibited when a public building is in use. Any such incident should be reported to the Environmental Health Service.

Special Events

Council's Environmental Health Service is responsible for assessing and approving large events such as concerts, sporting events and the World Swimming Championships.

People planning similar events should contact the Environmental Health Service to determine whether they need an approval.

Public Swimming Pools

There are 15 public and semi-public pools in the City ranging from aged persons complexes to the Challenge Stadium.

Environmental Health Officers regularly inspect these pools and take water samples for analysis to determine chemical and bacterial quality.

Hairdressers/Tatooists

Environmental Health Officers inspect hairdressers, beauticians and skin penetration premises to ensure that hygiene standards are complied with.

Hairdressers are required to use clean towels, napkins and equipment for each customer. Scissors and combs are to be disinfected between users by dipping in a bactericidal solution or wiping with sterile swabs.

Accommodation

Environmental Health Officers inspect lodging houses, bed and breakfasts and other places of accommodation to ensure the health and safety of occupants. There are also requirements for private houses relating to the maximum number of occupants, ventilation, drainage and weatherproofing.

Houses that are considered unfit for habitation can be condemned under the Health Act in extreme cases.

Infectious Diseases

Environmental Health Officers investigate all instances of diseases that are classed as 'Notifiable Diseases' under the Health Act.

These include Hepatitis, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Legionnaire's Disease. Cases are referred to the Environmental Health Service for investigation from the Health Department of Western Australia after notification by general practitioners.