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Tackling the risks posed by legionella bacteria
Legionnaire’s disease is a type of pneumonia contracted when the bacteria legionella pneumophila is inhaled – usually from poorly maintained water systems which are exposed to the atmosphere. Particularly prone to causing legionella outbreaks are water systems incorporating cooling towers and evaporative condensers, where temperatures are warm enough to encourage bacteria growth.
Because hot and cold water systems in general are vulnerable to legionella, a legionella risk assessment is a legal requirement. Remedial action including cleaning and disinfection can eliminate any identified problem.
Although taking suitable precautions against the disease is the responsibility of every employer, compliance with current Health & Safety guidelines need not be a headache.
UKES has vast experience in undertaking both risk assessments and abatement work for organisations of all sizes and can reduce the likelihood of a legionella outbreak at your premises.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 require that owners of all business premises
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identify and assess sources of legionella risk
• prepare a policy or scheme for the prevention and control of the risk of legionella
• keep records and check regularly that monitoring systems are effective
You must have a policy in place if staff or the general public are in contact with water in your premises, especially if it is in spray form (shower taps).
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UKES will provide you with the appropriate assessment, auditing and consultation services you need to help you carry out your statutory responsibilities. These include:
• full risk assessment of your water systems and whether water storage provision is hygienic and reaches the required standard
• inspection of cold water storage cisterns and water heaters to confirm compliance with water regulations and identify contamination issues
• sampling, inspection and microbiological analysis of water stored within hot water heaters and cold water storage cisterns
• advice regarding the implementation of a scheme of precautions, including provision of a log book for recording purposes
• implementation of any remedial action identified by the assessment, including cleaning and disinfection of the hot and cold water system
• regular post-assessment monitoring and maintenance
• further risk assessments as recommended (at least once every two years)
As a result, you will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that the people under your duty of care – whether staff, customers, students or visitors to your premises – are safe from the risk of legionella, and that your organisation’s responsibilities have been comprehensively met.
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