Two experts have provided us with information in the last two weeks that will be useful to those considering re-starting cooking skills classes.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) invited Professor Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director to take part in a Q&A for voluntary sector organisations emerging from lock-down due to coronavirus.
SCVO have produced a blog post from the session that explains the main points to consider when planning to re-start community activities, including, but not limited to: thoroughly risk assessing both the premises where activities will take place and the people involved in these. The full recording of the Q&A is available with the blog post as well as a link to the query on restarting indoor or outdoor cooking classes and about sharing food at these.
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) have complemented Professor Leitch’s advice that every situation should be risk assessed and controlled:
‘For all our Approved Training Centres [such as those who run cooking classes], the advice we have given is that centres must follow the Scottish Government and Health and Safety Executive guidance.
‘They are required to conduct a risk assessment to ensure all necessary steps are taken to minimise any risk to the trainer and learners. This risk assessment must be agreed and communicated with the client and learners.
‘We are also asking them to consider pre-joining instructions, strict social distancing measures, personal hygiene instructions and cleaning and disinfection procedures.
‘We would also advise for those running food businesses to check with their local Environmental Health department for advice.’
REHIS were not aware of any face-to-face cooking classes that had re-started at this time.
Further advice for community groups, organisations and volunteer networks addressing Covid-19 is on the Supporting Communities Safely webpage on the SCDC website.
Re-starting cooking skills classes
Two experts have provided us with information in the last two weeks that will be useful to those considering re-starting cooking skills classes.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) invited Professor Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director to take part in a Q&A for voluntary sector organisations emerging from lock-down due to coronavirus.
SCVO have produced a blog post from the session that explains the main points to consider when planning to re-start community activities, including, but not limited to: thoroughly risk assessing both the premises where activities will take place and the people involved in these. The full recording of the Q&A is available with the blog post as well as a link to the query on restarting indoor or outdoor cooking classes and about sharing food at these.
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) have complemented Professor Leitch’s advice that every situation should be risk assessed and controlled:
‘For all our Approved Training Centres [such as those who run cooking classes], the advice we have given is that centres must follow the Scottish Government and Health and Safety Executive guidance.
‘They are required to conduct a risk assessment to ensure all necessary steps are taken to minimise any risk to the trainer and learners. This risk assessment must be agreed and communicated with the client and learners.
‘We are also asking them to consider pre-joining instructions, strict social distancing measures, personal hygiene instructions and cleaning and disinfection procedures.
‘We would also advise for those running food businesses to check with their local Environmental Health department for advice.’
REHIS were not aware of any face-to-face cooking classes that had re-started at this time.
Further advice for community groups, organisations and volunteer networks addressing Covid-19 is on the Supporting Communities Safely webpage on the SCDC website.