Legionella testing and control is a major consideration for all business owners. Building owners are responsible for their work premises under Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (sections 2, 3, 4 &6), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (Regulations 6,7,8,9 &12) and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to protect the health and safety of not only their employees but of all those who may be in danger of infection, including members of public.
The Health and Safety Commission’s Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 is a guideline document for the prevention and control of legionellosis in water systems and has a special legal status by which the employer can be prosecuted, fined or even imprisoned, if it is proved that they did not follow the relevant provisions of the Code.
Legionella Control and Risk Assessment.
Why do I need it?
The following Statutory Regulations require identification and assessment of the risk to health from legionella bacteria:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999, Regulation 6 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 3 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sections 2, 3 and 4.
“The above Regulations apply to the control of legionella bacteria in any undertaking involving a work activity and to premises controlled in connection with a trade, business or other undertaking where water is used or stored and where there is a means of creating and transmitting water droplets which may be inhaled,” (Extract ACOP H.S.E. Legionnaires’ Disease L8).
What systems are assessed?
Hot and cold water systems: water tanks, calorifiers, taps, showers etc. Other systems: spa baths and pools, water features etc, cooling towers, evaporative condensers.
Who should carry out this Risk Assessment?
Persons who carry out the assessment and who draw up and implement precautionary measures should have such ability, experience, instruction, information, training and resources to enable them to carry out their task competently and safely” (Extract ACOP Legionnaires’ Disease L8).
Aqualibrium is a WMS approved LCA Member.
What happens after Risk Assessment?
If the assessment shows that there is a reasonably foreseeable risk a scheme will be recommended to control the risk. You will be required to identify the Statutory Duty Holder (premises/site owner) and appoint a person to take managerial responsibility to provide supervision for the implementation of the scheme of precautions. We can provide a log book, log sheets for compliant records and a full monitoring service if required.
The Legionella Risk Assessment should be reviewed every two years. It will be necessary to review it more frequently should changes in the water system occur or control measures are no longer sufficient.
How do I sample my water systems?
Aqualibrium provide an onsite sampling and service with UKAS certification for Legionella, TVC Ecoli, Coliform and other organisms.
Legionella Control Association Code of Conduct
For fast friendly assistance with all of your water storage systems in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset please call us on:
00000 461949
email us about Legionella Control