In simple terms, Legionella is a ubiquitous bacteria found in water courses and soil. These bacteria are responsible for causing Legionnaires’ disease.
The Legionella bacteria can easily enter your water systems via water supplies or airborne particles. Given the right conditions this bacteria can colonise the system.
Atomised droplets containing legionella bacteria can be inhaled and infect people in that vicinity. This can lead to a severe pneumonia type infection which is potentially fatal.
Most Legionnaires’ disease infections arise from uncontrolled or poorly managed water systems.
How do I control Legionella in my water systems?
To control microbial activity in your water systems, you must identify where the risk of microbial growth can occur. To achieve this, a risk assessment will need to be carried out . This will provide valuable insight to enable you to formulate a suitable control strategy. This may consist of monitoring water temperatures and possibly chemistry, some system reconfigurations, and other precautionary measures. This strategy will be managed with a written control scheme which will prescribe the required activities, responsibilities and required responses to undesirable results.
Who is responsible for managing the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease?
In any organisation, the duty holder (which includes employers and those with responsibilities for the control of premises, eg landlords) must identify and assess sources of risk; implement, manage and monitor precautions; keep records of the precautions.
What are my legal obligations?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees. So far as reasonably practicable and also requires employers to ensure that non-employees who may be affected by work activities are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Where can I find more information?
The approved code of practice (Legionnaires’ disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems) L8 fourth edition, can be downloaded from the HSE website along with guidance documents (HSG274, parts 1, 2 and 3).
Legionnaires’ disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems (hse.gov.uk)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part1.pdf
