Legionella risk assessment is a vital part of maintaining a safe workplace. It is important as Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and potentially fatal form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. To prevent the spread of this bacteria, it’s essential to conduct regular legionella risk assessments in the workplace.
The risk assessment will address all systems where water is used or stored. Analyse the risk factors and consider the potential of the system to become contaminated with Legionella which causes Legionnaires disease.
As part of our water hygiene and legionella control services, Techright specialise in Legionella Risk Assessments.
Techright Environmental has a team of expert risk assessors who specialise in legionella risk assessments. Our risk assessors will carry out the risk assessments in accordance with the Health & Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 (4th Edition) and Health & Safety Guidance 274. Furthermore, our risk assessors will hold and retain the membership of the Water Management Society to ensure they stay updated with the latest technical documentation supporting health and safety guidelines.
Did You Know?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria colonising in the lungs
Did You Know?
Bacteria grow by dividing in two. They can do this every ten to twenty minutes, a process known as Binary Fission and in ideal conditions one bacterium may become one million in just three and half hours.
Did You Know?
The findings of the risk assessment should be kept for a minimum of two years
Did You Know?
Ensuring a legionella risk assessment is carried out by a suitably competent person is the responsibility of the duty holder
A legionella risk assessment is a formal process that identifies and documents potential hazards related to legionella bacteria in a workplace. This assessment is necessary for companies with 5 or more employees, and it involves recording the risk assessments and actions taken to improve safety.
Techright Environmental’s risk assessment includes: –
your workplace and thoroughly inspect your water systems. This includes accessing all water outlets and equipment on your premises, such as:-
Each asset will be surveyed and assessed for Legionella risk. The duration of the assessment can vary depending on the size of your water system and the number of equipment present, ranging from 1 hour to 6 or 7 hours. On average, our qualified assessor spends 1 hour on site for every 20-30 outlets.
Legionella is a type of bacteria commonly found in water sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. When this bacteria is present in man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems. It can multiply and spread through the air in the form of droplets. If these droplets are inhaled, they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal. Legionella risk assessments are important because they help identify potential sources of Legionella in a workplace and allow for measures to be taken to prevent its spread.
Legionnaires disease can be a potentially fatal disease, caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria.
Man-made hot and cold water systems are likely, if conditions deteriorate, to provide an environment where Legionella can grow, so it’s important to ensure your water systems are safe and not at risk of delivering these fatal bacteria.
The symptoms of legionnaires disease are similar to the symptoms of the flu.
Because it is similar to the flu, it is not always easy to diagnose. A blood or urine test will be helpful in deciding whether an illness is or is not legionnaires disease.
Symptoms include:-
People usually catch legionnaires disease by inhaling small droplets of water containing legionella bacteria deep into the lungs. Small airborne water droplets are commonly referred to as aerosols. Aerosols are formed by running a shower, Turing on a tap or from systems such as spa pools and cooling towers. Not everybody exposed to legionella will become ill.
The higher risk groups include:-
Approximately 10-15% of cases will result in death.
Legionella risk assessment is not only a matter of health and safety but also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. Authorities have recognised the importance of preventing Legionella outbreaks and have implemented regulations to ensure the protection of public health. Various legislation and guidelines, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, and Approved Code of Practice, outline the responsibilities and obligations of duty holders in managing Legionella risks. It is important to know that cases of legionellosis are reportable under RIDDOR if a medical practitioner notifies the employers.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and legal action, as well as damage to your business’s reputation. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidelines to ensure that your business is in compliance and providing a safe and healthy workplace.
Techright Environmental provides a comprehensive training program for associated staff to manage and control the risk of exposure and reduce the likelihood of Legionella outbreak.
The on-site training includes:
We will give your delegates the necessary skills and equipment including a logbook. Should any temperatures be non-compliant, we will support you throughout the process to return your site to a safe and compliant standard.
Our comprehensive guide provides all the necessary information to assess and manage Legionella risks effectively.
Legionella risk assessments are fundamental in identifying and mitigating potential hazards associated with Legionella bacteria in water systems. Legionella, when present and proliferating in water sources, poses a significant health risk, potentially leading to Legionnaires’ disease or other respiratory illnesses. Conducting regular risk assessments is essential for preventing outbreaks and protecting public health.
A thorough Legionella risk assessment involves the following key steps:
The frequency of Legionella risk assessments depends on various factors, including the complexity of water systems, occupancy levels, and regulatory requirements. As a general guideline, risk assessments should be conducted at least annually. However, in high-risk environments or following significant changes to water systems, more frequent assessments may be necessary to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.
Regular Legionella risk assessments offer several benefits, including:
At Techright Environmental, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional water safety and Legionella compliance services. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from our satisfied clients who have experienced our expertise firsthand.
SHEQ Manager ESSENTRA PACKAGING
I have been using Techright as water treatment specialists for the service, monitoring, and risk assessment of our water systems for several years. Aaron and his team have always provided a first class, cost-effective support service, and maintained a high quality of work.
Health and safety Manager FINNEBROGUE
The professional attitude taken during the recent extensive works on site in relation to not only the job itself but with regards to health & safety was excellent.