Can I Incorporate a Legionella Risk Assessment Into a Standard Risk Assessment?
Yes, a Legionella Risk Assessment can form part of a general risk assessment, but the water risk assessment has to be sufficient to cover the specific measures associated with control of Legionella, which are set out in detail in the HSE ACoP L8 The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems. In brief, the assessment should identify where there are:
- Suitable conditions for Legionella growth: water temperature of 25°C to 45°C.
- Means of dissemination, such as showers or air-conditioning units.
- Presence and nature of the people exposed. Old and infirm people are more prone to contracting Legionnaires' disease.
A water risk assessment typically includes the schematic drawings of your systems, the asset register, measures to control the risk and monitoring programmes.
Legionella assessments should be carried out at least every two years or when there is a significant change to the water system, and are needed for all commercial buildings with water systems.
Ensure there is a proper training for anyone tasked with maintaining the control systems; it is good practice to provide employees with toolbox talks to understand the potential hazards.
Most organisations trust legionella assessments to specialists. Whoever is assigned the assessor must be competent and have sufficient experience, expertise and training.
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Our legionella risk assessments have been developed in accordance with the guidelines and recommended practices issued by the UK Health & Safety Executive L8 and the health and Safety Commission (HSC).
The legionella and water risk assessment will have a significant impact on reducing liability should any problems occur.
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What Happens When an Outbreak of Legionnaires Disease Occurs?
An outbreak is defined as two or more confirmed cases of legionellosis occurring in the same locality within a six-month period.
Local authorities will have established incident plans to investigate major outbreaks of infectious disease including legionellosis. These are activated by the Proper Officer who invokes an outbreak Committee, whose primary purpose is to protect public health, and prevent further infection. This will normally be set up to manage the incident and will involve representatives of all the agencies involved.
The local authority or EHO may make a site visit and request the shutting down of any processes which are capable of generating and disseminating airborne water droplets. They may take water samples and ensure emergency disinfection is undertaken.
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What are the Regulations that Govern Legionella Control?
The two main pieces of legislation are the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation (1994).
Organisations that fail to comply with HSE ACoP L8 The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems may be prosecuted under either of these regulations.
Employers have a duty of care under the health and safety at work act to protect their employees and any one visiting their site or work place. They then have responsibility to make sure that their water systems are controlled from legionella.
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Who is Most at Risk from Legionnaires' Disease?
Because Legionnaires' disease is caused by an infection of the bacterium legionella, those who are frequently exposed to unclean water sources where legionella breeds are at risk. Infections have been known to occur in people who work with large cooling towers or air conditioning systems.
The people most at risk for contracting Legionnaires' disease are those with weakened immune systems, as they have little defense against the onset of infection. People with diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes; those who are over the age of 65; and those who have recently undergone an organ transplant have a greater risk of infection. Also, those whose lungs are weakened due to smoking or chronic emphysema are at risk of infection after exposure to the bacterium legionella.
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Is the Landlord or the Tenant Responsible for Managing Legionella?
This will ultimately be determined by the lease agreement but 99% of the time tenants who have sole occupancy of a building where they are also responsible for maintenance and repairs will be the person or persons on whom the statutory duty falls.
Where there are multiple occupants or where the landlord services and maintains the building, then the duty would usually fall to the landlord unless other arrangements have been documented and communicated.
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It is a legal requirement to have a legionella risk assessment of all cold and hot water systems. The risk assessment is usually carried out as part of a programme which helps manage the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
If you would like to get in touch with us to discuss your needs or would like to enquire about one of our legionella and water hygiene services then please Contact Today for more information.
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