Occupational hygiene

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria.  Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria.  The disease cannot be passed from one person to another.  Everyone is potentially susceptible to infection.

Where is legionella found?

Legionella bacteria are common in natural water courses such as rivers and ponds.  Since legionella are widespread in the environment, they can contaminate and grow in other water systems such as cooling towers and hot and cold water services.  They survive low temperatures and thrive at temperatures between 20°c - 45°c if the conditions are right, e.g. if a supply nutrients is present such as rust, sludge, algae and other bacteria.

What are my duties under the law?

Under health and safety legislation and the L8 Approved Code of Practice, you have to consider the risks from legionella that may affect your staff or members of the public and take suitable precautions.  As an employer or a person in control of premises (e.g. landlord) you must:

Identify and assess sources of risk

Prepare a scheme (or course of action) for preventing or controlling the risk

Implement and manage the scheme appointing a person to be managerially responsible (known as the “responsible person”)

Keep records and check that what has been done is effective

As the employer or person in control of the premises the risk assessment is your responsibility.  You need to find out if your water systems are likely to create a risk and that is where we can help. 

How ALS can help

Our consultants can carry out comprehensive water system risk assessments, water sampling and testing.  Contact us for a competitive quote today.

We also offer Legionella Awareness training to help the “responsible person” to understand their duties and responsibilities. > Legionella Awareness training

This and many more of our services can be called upon as and when you need them via our > Appointed Safety Advisor Service. 

 

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