News story

RHE Global

Ship Inspection Procedures: New to RIAMS Libraries

By Jeremy Manners, RIAMS Chief Editor

RHE Global logo
RHE Global logo
RHE Global logo

RHE Global

2 Oct 2024

Large ship on water
Large ship on water
Large ship on water

The subject of port health has never had such prominence, and RHE Global are delighted to publish procedures covering two key areas for EHPs in relation to ships.  

First is a procedure for ship sanitation inspections – perhaps the most frequent ship-related activity carried out by port health authorities. The second procedure details the labyrinthine legislation and duties and powers in relation to cases of ill travellers (both crew and/or passengers) on board ships, to assist port health authorities deal with those hopefully rare cases that can occur at any port, at any time. 

These new procedures have been developed by RHE Global in partnership with port health consultant Martin Walker CFCIEH, who has drawn on his 20 years’ experience in port health with Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority and the government of Bermuda, together with his proficiency as a trainer with the World Health Organization (WHO), Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Association of Port Health Authorities (APHA) and the EU SHIPSAN ACT project, amongst others. 

Martin explained how the two new procedures will support port health officers in the delivery of these two important aspects of the job:  

The Ship Sanitation Certificates procedure links the global requirements of the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) with the relevant UK legislation for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I have provided practical advice for officers engaged in ship inspection, particularly where there are some divergences between the two legislative texts. The procedure also includes references to documentation that supports the practical application of inspections and the correct way in which ship sanitation inspections should be carried out.  

Experience with working with inspectors across the world has shown that there is a lot of confusion when it comes to inspection procedures and which certificate to issue. Legal and administrative arrangements are also frequently misunderstood in relation to the validity of certificates. This procedure will help to clarify the appropriate best practice and give inspectors an easy-to-reach reference point. 

Turning to the public health procedure Dealing with Public Health Events on Board Ships, my aim was to explain and consolidate the legal powers and duties that apply.  

Developing procedures for England and Wales was quite a challenge as the original Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1979 were amended in 2007 by separate legislation for England and Wales. There is no consolidated version available, which meant continual cross-referencing between the two regulations! Northern Ireland produced a distinct single set of regulations, making the task slightly more straightforward. 

Port health, being a niche subject, has often lacked guidance and procedures. The government launched a consultation in 2013 on new health protection legislation for ships and aircrafts, but this was never progressed. The APHA members handbook mentions infectious disease but doesn’t really delve into the legislation and procedures. And our experience of Covid has further highlighted how the UK’s general response to infectious diseases, including at the borders, has been found wanting. The tide appears to be turning somewhat: the Future of the Health Protection System (FHPS) Co-Design Group has launched a call for evidence to better understand the roles and responsibilities for health protection in England and identify gaps, challenges and opportunities. The call for evidence has a dedicated section focusing on border health security and acknowledges the need for a collaborative approach to detect and respond to threats from goods and people entering the country.  

It was no surprise that whilst developing these procedures I came across various anomalies, misinterpretations of the IHR and practical difficulties that I can foresee in applying the regulations. One matter that I feel needs to be highlighted is the need for public health emergency contingency plans to be drawn up by port health authorities, to manage the operational aspects of dealing with ill travellers. Pre-planning is essential and having contact details and buy-in from key stakeholders is vital for a smoother process for handling such cases when they present themselves at your port. I have included reference to WHO guidance on this matter in the procedure. 

The inadequacies of the existing regulations became very clear to me as I embarked on the lengthy process of producing these procedures.  

Through my work as a CIEH port health advisory panellist, I am also liaising with colleagues to lobby the new government to update these regulations so that port health authorities (and the UK as a whole) can be better equipped for the future.  

Finally, I hope that my time spent producing these procedures will simplify any confusing aspects and, ultimately, save you time. I would be very grateful for any comments and suggestions about improvements to these procedures, experience in applying the regulations and any other suggestions for procedures that we may be able to usefully produce for users. Any comments can be made to [email protected] in the first instance. 

Both procedures are available here, in the public health module on RIAMS Libraries. 

RIAMS Libraries provides up-to-date, easy-to-access procedures, guidance and notice templates to local authorities and environmental health practitioners across all specialisms.   

For further information on RIAMS Libraries, or to request a free trial, contact us on [email protected]

Join the conversation for free – work smarter, network and share good practice on RIAMS Communities

Don’t miss a thing

Public protection news and jobs straight to your inbox

smarter
public

protection

© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.

Don’t miss a thing

Public protection news and jobs straight to your inbox

smarter
public

protection

© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.

Don’t miss a thing

Public protection news and jobs straight to your inbox

smarter
public

protection

© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.