Environeering

Another happy client. Department of Labour had no findings with the premises, neither the Health and Safety Files we have developed and maintained for them.

For more information about our awesome services please do not hesitate to contact us:
[email protected]
[email protected]

AI might not be 100% accurate:

Over the past few months I've been receiving enquiries from our clients about Health and Safety Requirements for their workplaces that seemed foreign to me. The first thing I ask them is where did they get their info from, and a large percentage of them said its from AI.

Most of these enquiries were things I've never came across in my 20+ years experience in this field. Before giving them feedback I always make sure I run this by my government contacts (not mentioning my client's name ofcourse), they have also confirmed that some of the items they've never heard about, thus its not a requirement for compliance in South Africa.

My guess is that sometimes AI imports laws from other countries by mistake and make it seem as its SA law. This can be dangerous as a Health and Safety Service Provider as you might be giving inaccurate information to your clients.
This can mount up to unnecessary costs for your clients, which could result in reputational damage for yourself and your company.

My recommendation is to first run these enquiries pass your local government institutions like the Department of Labour or Health inspectors to make sure its actual laws and regulations. While Im not discrediting the benefits of AI, research should still be done into the mandatory laws of your country.

Be safe.

Brent Lawrence (Environeering)

Quick flights in and out of Port Elizabeth to service our client.

Food and Hygiene Safety training with a difference.

Our hotel client were setting up for a movie night for their guests and we used the opportunity to do our Food and Hygiene Safety training with their Food and Beverage staff in the movie venue.

Contact us for more information on our training courses:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Environeering Health and Safety Services

From international 5 star hotels, to industrial areas like bread factories and roof sheets production plants, Environeering has over 17 years' experience in the Occupational Health and Safety field.

Our services includes:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Audits
2. Risk Assessments
3. Various Health and Safety Training
4. Health and Safety File developments
5. Daily, weekly, monthly services
6. Etc.

Don't hesitate to contact us for more info:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Food and Hygiene Safety Training

Our Brent Lawrence gave Food and Hygiene Safety training at one of our clients in Mozambique.

Why Is Food Safety and Hygiene Training Important?

According to the World Health Organization, foodborne illnesses are a serious public health concern globally. In South Africa, outbreaks of foodborne illness, such as the 2017–2018 listeriosis outbreak, have underscored the need for strong food safety and hygiene standards. Proper food safety training helps employees understand how to handle and prepare food safely to prevent contamination and protect public health.

What Is Food Safety?

Food safety involves the essential practices and procedures required to ensure that food is safe to eat. These include proper handling, preparation, processing, storage, and distribution of food. By following food safety measures, businesses can reduce the risk of contamination and prevent foodborne illness or injuries.

Types of Food Contaminants:

Food can be contaminated in several ways:

1. Biological contaminants: such as bacteria, viruses, moulds, and parasites.

2. Physical contaminants: such as hair, metal shavings, and glass.

3. Chemical contaminants: including pesticides, cleaning agents, or food additives used incorrectly.

4. Allergenic contaminants: such as milk, eggs, nuts, soy, and other common allergens.

Do You Need Food Hygiene Training?

Under the food related acts and related municipal health regulations, all individuals who work with food in South Africa must be trained in food safety practices appropriate to their role. Municipal by-laws also require that food premises obtain a Certificate of Acceptability (CoA), which is only issued if food handlers are properly trained and competent in hygiene and food safety standards.

Several laws and regulations govern food safety in South Africa, as well in other countries:

Regulations require that:

1. All food premises must have a valid Certificate of Acceptability.

2. Food handlers are trained in hygienic practices.

3. A food safety system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is implemented and maintained.

4. Consumer Protection Act requires that food products are safe, correctly labelled, and not misleading. It gives consumers the right to fair and responsible services and to be protected from hazardous goods.

4. Municipal Health By-Laws

Local municipalities (e.g., City of Cape Town) may enforce additional requirements, such as routine inspections and hygiene certifications.

Benefits of Food Hygiene and Safety Training

1. Prevent Foodborne Illnesses

Most foodborne illnesses result from improper food handling. Training ensures that employees understand safe practices and how to minimize health risks to customers.

2. Reduce Food Waste

Trained staff are better at managing storage, temperature control, and stock rotation, which helps minimize spoilage and saves money.

3. Improve Staff Efficiency

Employees who know what to do can work more effectively, handle food safely, and avoid costly mistakes.

4. Create a Positive Workplace Culture

When staff feel competent and understand the value of their role in maintaining food safety, morale and responsibility improve.

5. Build a Strong Business Reputation

Consistent food safety practices lead to cleaner operations, better customer reviews, and trust in your brand. This can lead to more business and increased revenue.

Food safety and hygiene training is not only a legal requirement in South Africa and other countries —it’s a critical investment in public health, your staff, and your business. With proper training, food handlers can confidently serve safe, high-quality food, reduce risk, and protect both your customers and your reputation.

If you or anyone you know are looking for Food and Hygiene Safety Training or any other Health and Safety Courses, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected]

Personal Hygiene Tips

Personal hygiene is how you care for your body. Every day, you come into contact with millions of outside germs and viruses. They can linger on your body, and in some cases, they may make you sick. Personal hygiene practices can help you and the people around you prevent illnesses. They can also help you feel good about your appearance.

Below are some tips on personal hygiene:

1. Wash your hands frequently
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of disease. Scrub with soap for 20 to 30 seconds, and be sure to clean between your fingers, on the back of your hands, and under your nails. Rinse with warm water, and dry with a clean towel. You can also use an alcohol-based swab or sanitizer.

2. Bathing yourself
It’s recommended to shower or take a bath at least every other day. Showering with soap helps rinse away dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils.

3. Washing your hair
You should wash your hair at least twice a week. Shampooing your hair and scalp helps remove skin buildup and protects against oily residues that can irritate your skin.

4. Trim your nails
Trim your nails regularly to keep them short and clean. Brush under them with a nail brush or washcloth to rinse away buildup, dirt, and germs.

5. Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes. Aim to brush after you wake up and before bed. Floss between your teeth daily, and ask your dentist about using an antibacterial mouthwash.

6. Get Restful Sleep
Restful sleep is essential to well-being, no matter your age. It is recommended that you get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

7. Visit the Doctor
Maintaining regular healthcare appointments can help you catch infections and illnesses early, making it easier to treat them. Visit your healthcare provider when you have a concern and schedule routine check-ups.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more info: [email protected] / [email protected]

Environeering was tasked to assist one of our hotel clients last week with a surprise Department of Labour audit. The inspectors did their thing and we are pleased to report that there was no findings from their side.

For more info on our awesome Occupational Health and Safety services, please dont hesitate to contact us:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Environeering: General Health and Safety Training for all Employees

Our Brent Lawrence is currently at one of our clients in Uganda and one of our most popular short courses at Environeering is the General Health and Safety Training. It is an hour long, and stocked with loads of information about:

1. The Employer's and Employees' duties and responsibilities according to their local Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

2. Identifying First Aiders, Health and Safety Representatives, Fire Marshalls, etc.

3. What to do in an emergency situation such as a fire, a bomb threat, robbery, etc.

4. How to keep themselves and their fellow colleagues safe at all times.

5. How to identify safety signage... and lots more.

It is imperative that all staff on your premises are provided with some sort of safety training with regards to how safety procedures need to be conducted according to the law. This creates a good safe environment within the workplace and reduces the amount of workplace accidents.

For more info on this course or any others, please do not hesitate to contact us: [email protected]/ [email protected]

Environmental Health Practitioners in Local Government

Did you know that there are Environmental Health Practitioners situated in government offices near you?

They are there to serve their local community with Health, Safety, and Environmental issues.

Their basic functions are:
1. Public health and safety education
2. Audits and inspections of residential and business areas
3. Generate Food license certificates for food businesses
4. Resolve health and related issues in the community.
5. Liaise with community leaders
6. Liaise with vendors such as pest control companies that serves the community
7. Investigate any complaint from the community members
8. The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that you can anonymously report any non-compliance in your workplace to them
9. Etc.

For more info and where to find them please consult your local telephone directory or Google.