Health Protection Own-check
Own-check means knowing your own operations and their risks and managing the risks. Own-check focuses on risks that cause health hazards. Operators must practice own-check. Own-check regulations apply to all operators under health protection control all the way from educational institutions to an individual beauty salon operator.
It is recommended that the own-check plan is compiled in writing. The plan shows how you manage, reduce and remove possible risk factors in your operation. A written own-check plan is a good tool in staff orientation as well.
An own-check plan should include information about:
- What kind of operation you are practicing (customers, amount of staff, activity periods, special features)
- What kind of facilities you are operating in (toilets, water stations, sanitation and laundry facilities, adequate storage facilities, surface materials)
- Indoor facility conditions (for example, ventilation, noise, odor, temperature, lighting, the effect of structures and operations to the air quality, detergents)
- What kind of risks your operation could cause to customers
- How do you prevent risks
Examples of risks operations could cause customers
- Insufficient toilets or sanitary facilities
- The property needs renovation
- The facilities and surfaces are difficult to keep clean or the facilities are unclean
- There are factors that can cause health hazards outside or nearby (for example, noise or odors)
- The possibility of pests (for example, rats or bedbugs)
- Changes in the operation or facilities
- Extreme weather (for example, high temperatures during hot seasons)
Examples of risk prevention and management
- The sufficiency and suitability of facilities is evaluated regularly
- An up-to-date review of the facility’s condition, upkeep and maintenance is made, and the needed measures are taken
- Staff are trained and have access to up-to-date work and action plans (such as a sanitation plan). The implementation of the plans is monitored.
- The functionality of used machinery is monitored
- A pest control plan is made
- Malfunctions are prepared for (for example, blackouts or epidemics)
The Environmental Office of the Oulu Region
Environmental Health Care
Environmental Health Care on-call service is open on weekdays 9.00-15.00. E-mail is read on weekdays.