As part of the Environmental Health and Licensing Unit’s mission to keep the district ‘Clean, Green, Safe and Healthy, the Commercial Enforcement Team enforces environmental health legislation, and provides advice and assistance to business within the district of Easington in the following areas:
Air Pollution Control
The authority can investigate complaints such as odour and noise from business, and provide information relating to air pollution. The team also carries out air quality monitoring for specific pollutants in accordance with the national air quality strategy, and is responsible for the approval and inspection of certain processes and premises under the relevant law.
Contaminated Land
The team can provide advice and information, and investigate complaints in relation to contaminated land. The council also has prepared a contaminated land strategy and has prioritised sites according to risk.
Food Safety
The council aims to improve the safety of food manufactured, handled or sold within the District of Easington. The Commercial Enforcement Team makes sure that businesses comply with food safety laws by inspecting food premises, investigating food complaints, and taking samples of food in order to check if it is safe to eat. The team also assists local business by providing advice and information on food safety, and by approving or licensing certain types of premises such as butchers’ shops.
Health and Safety at Work
In order to improve the safety of workplaces within the District of Easington, the Commercial Enforcement Team Inspects certain types of premises such as shops, warehouses, offices and bars. The team also investigates work related accidents and complaints
Infectious Disease Control
The Council’s Commercial Enforcement Team is responsible for investigating certain cases of infectious disease. Doctors, hospitals and patients regularly notify the team of cases of infectious disease. By interviewing patients, taking food samples and faecal specimens, and providing advice on good hygienic practice the team can help prevent the spread of infectious disease. Where a food business may be involved the team can also inspect that premises.
Port Health
The Council is the designated Port Health Authority for the Port of Seaham.