Health and safety

• We are the enforcing Authority for the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and regulations made under the Act, for approximately 3,500 premises within Plymouth.
• We will cover premises such as warehousing, offices, shops, consumer services, churches, leisure activities, care homes and hotel accommodation
• We undertake routine inspections of work activities and respond to complaints, accidents and statutory notifications.  We also offer training and an advisory service.
• We register skin piercers for the practice of tattooing, ear piercing, acupuncture and body piercing.
• We are consultees for public entertainment licenses and act as the licensing unit for issuing petroleum licenses.

We are happy to provide information or advice to employers, employees and members of the public in relation to health and safety at work.

If you would like advice or to report an unsafe work practice or accident please contact the Public Protection service on 01752 304141 or email public.protection@plymouth.gov.uk.

Training and education

The unit provides many of the courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) in the areas of food safety and health and safety.

Our current course range is as follows:

• Level 2 award food safety in catering
• Level 3 award supervising food safety in catering
• Level 3 award implementing food safety management procedures
• Advanced certificate in food safety
• Level 2 award health and safety in the workplace
• Level 2 award in hygiene in health and social care
• Level 2 award health and safety in health and social care
• Level 3 award risk assessment principles and practice
• Advanced certificate health and safety in the workplace
• Level 2 award in healthy eating and special diets
• CIEH professional trainers certificate

Current prices are listed on the courses page.

The unit also undertakes promotional activities in general public health issues, including food safety, home safety, junior life skills and work as an Environmental Health Officer (EHO).

Port health

Plymouth City Council is also a designated Port Health Authority by Order. Our borders extend from Bigbury in Devon to Seaton in Cornwall. The main work areas involve:

• Ensuring food safety for the import and export of food
• Inspection of fish during landings
• Control of shellfish beds and water quality to ensure the safe production of shellfish
• Hygiene and sanitation on board sea going vessels
• Control of communicable disease from vessels
• Inspection and licensing of fishery products manufacturers
• Sea water quality and the display of public information

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