Pub Staff Hygiene

[sprayer]

Good Morning ABers, do any of you know about hygiene regulations regarding public house staff? I visited a pub yesterday with the intention of having a sandwich or bar snack after drinking a pint or two first, it seemed a very nice friendly pub being run by two girls who looked in their 20s, half way through my first pint I noticed that both girls were eating crisps and snacks behind the bar which at first seemed quite innocent until I saw both girls picking out their teeth with their finger nails and then licking their fingers afterwards. Just after that a customer in the pub who had a small dog with him passed the animal over the bar and both girls took the dog in their arms stroking it then passed it back to the customer, the girls then carried on serving people drinks without washing their hands first.
I am sure that there must be laws against this sort of thing in pubs or am I just being paranoid?

[Bobbisox]

They shouldn't be eating when working with the public sprayer, same as any other job

[boxtops]

Yes there is, it's basic Health and Safety, and Food Hygiene regulations.

[ummmm]

Is that a law?

[Bobbisox]

maybe not a law but certainly common sense

[daftgrandad]

Unless the premises had a separate area for dining,the dog should not be allowed in the bar where food is being served.Also as bobbi says(hi Joy) the staff,should not be eating,whilst serving.

[ummmm]

Common sense?

[JonnyBoy12]

No, you are not being paranoid. They should have washed their hands before serving you. I take it you are not brave enough to say anything to them about it.

[sprayer]

Thanks for your thoughts on this so far, a friend of mine Say's I should report the place to the Environmental Health people but it would only be my word against the pub landlord's and to be honest I wouldn't want to lose somebody their job for what seems like a trivial matter.

[ummmm]

The only thing I'd be concerned about is the dog. In reality, if we all washed our hands after touching things, nothing would ever get done.

[Bobbisox]

maybe just a quiet friendly word if it happens again?

[cathfromsaron]

you must not smoke, eat or drink behind a bar first of all.

second, if they were on a break they should go to a recreation area and then wash hands before returning. picking teeth or twiddling hair all forbidden. i have completed food hygiene courses in a pub chain and they would sack anyone doing this.

[TWR]

With respect Sprayer, how many people go to the toilet do a No2 never wash their hands then put money in the bar tenders hand? works 2 ways.

[ummmm]

People pick their teeth, twiddle their hair, bite their nails, itch their noses, without realising they are doing it. Not to mention the filthy money they have to handle.

Cath, there is no mention of these bar staff working with food.

[firewatch]

havign worked in a pub
Eating whilst on duty-never in front of customers only in the kitchen, and all ways washed our hands afterwards. The bar had a dedicated hand wash sink as we had a large number of dogs in the public bar, so we staff could wash our hands before we went back to the kitchen. No dogs were allowed behind the bar, can you imagine dog fur on the glasses ewwwwww.
if you can take and have a word with a landlord or write an anonomous letter to them tellign them of you concerns. /there is a beach in health and safety with the dog behind the bar.

[sprayer]

Quite true TWR I am always amazed at some peoples total lack of personal hygiene.

[TWR]

That's life I'm afraid Sprayer, I'm sure we all have done it? a No 2 & never washed our hands, I don't think the staff would have done it to offend, how many times have we bent down to stroke a dog then eat a sarnie?

[boxtops]

It's one thing for a member of the public to do it, but staff behind the bar are bound by regulations - we should expect better from them.

[MarkRae]

> how many times have we bent down to stroke a dog then eat a sarnie?

That's not the point. In this case, it's the equivalent of stroking a dog and then handling comestibles intended for other people...

[sallybb]

The roadside burger trailers bother me more, I once noticed the owner leave the trailer, pee in the bushes , return to cooking, no effort to wash his hands. Haven't eaten a hot dog from one since!!