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Posted By JWG
Can you please advise.
For a scenario of a small business e.g. a shop, is it acceptable to use the sink in the kitchen as a means to washing your hands after using the toilet? The kitchen is very small, the preparation of food is minimal -toast, sandwiches etc. for staff.
I've read the workplace regs and can't see ruling it out. I personally do not agree with it, due to obvious hygiene issues.
Any comments are welcome.
May thanks.
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Posted By Mike Miller
Agreed washing hands in KT sink is not a good idea!
You will probably find what you are looking for in the building regs but If I remember correctly the WC has to be separated from the kitchen by a lobby with a door? which means a small cloakroom basin should be provided. I am surprised the local EHO has not commented on the set up. Perhaps you could give them a call?
regards
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Posted By Dav
JWG
I seem to remember something in the Food Safety (General Food Hygeine) Regs 1995 regarding toilets facilities not being in a room which leads directly onto a food prep area, but im not sure of the actual wording.
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Posted By PBH
JWG
Is the food prepared for sale or is the kitchen purely for staff use. If it is the latter, Food safety legislation will not be applicable.
For your info the current food safety legislation is Reg (EC)852/2004.
My feeling is that if food safety legislation is not applicable, then it may be worth looking at the Welfare (HSW) Regs 1992 and the requirements for sanitary provision.
From a professional point of view the, I do not feel that using the kitchen sink is adequate due to the potential for cross-contamination e.g. touching the taps after using the toilet, then someone else turning on the the tap and then handling food etc, etc.
If the kitchen is involved in food preparation/storage for sale - different kettle of fish and I can point you in the right direction if this is the case.
Paul
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Posted By Robert Mulholland
Have you considered using a Hand Sanitizer in the toilet as a possible solution to your problem. Washing hands in the kitchen sink afterwards wouldn't present a problem.
RM
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Posted By JWG
Thanks for all your comments.
To clarify food is not prepared for sale, the kitchen is for staff convenience only.
It looks like the shop has not been refurbished for some twenty years or so, so not sure on the Building Regs requirements for that time. There is no lobby between the kitchen and toilet, in fact the toilet door is approx 3ft from the kitchen sink.
There's not been any concerns raised by EHOs (not sure if they have visited).
I don't think the use of hand gel is an acceptable means for washing hands. It does not stop clostridium difficile (which causes diarrhoea).
thanks..
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Toilet facilities in food areas must have a ventilated space betwen the toilet and the food area.
There must be suitable means of washing / cleansing hands with hot and cold running water.
Also a wash hand basin is for wasing hands and a sink is for food prep use and utensil cleansing.
The water to a Sink in a food area will come direct from the rising main and a WHB may come from a header tanks - in most modern premises all cold water will normally come from the rising main.
see for more info
http://www.food.gov.uk/a...ations/safetyandhygiene/
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Posted By PBH
David W,
Food is not for sale, therefore Food safety legislation does not apply and this is why the EHO has not shown any concerns.
To my mind this will be covered under the Workplace(H,S,W) Regs as the kitchen and wc are obviously a staff welfare provision.
Paul
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Posted By MT
I agree it's a welfare issue, but as an enforcement officer, I would have trouble trying to make someone install the handwash basin within the same room as the WC, as the Welfare regs state that the handwashing facilities should be "within the immediate vicinity" of the WC, but do not offer any guidance on what this means..... Since the sink is just outside the door, it's not particularly desirable nor ideal, however, it would be difficult to argue that it's not sufficient.
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Posted By PBH
MT
Totally agree, I was just clarifying the food issue for JWG as food legislation is a no goer in this scenario.
Kind regards
Paul
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Posted By MT
Sorry Paul, I wasn't aiming my post specifically at you, just adding to the thread in general. :-)
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