Legionella Risk Assessment
Our Northern Ireland based water specialists carry out the risk assessment in accordance with the Health & Safety Executives ACoP L8 (4th Edition) and Health & Safety Guidance 274
The Importance of a Legionella Risk Assessment
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.
Our specialist water consultants carry out the risk assessment in accordance with the Health & Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 (4th Edition) and Health & Safety Guidance 274.
What is a Legionella Risk Assessment?
A legionella risk assessment is a formal way of documenting the potential hazards that are present in a workplace. A company with 5 or more employees must record their risk assessments and the work done to improve safety.
Techright Environmental’s risk assessment includes: –
- Checks to ensure water storage tanks and water heaters are clean and compliant with the Water Regulations 1999.
- Legionella testing temperatures to ensure temperatures are satisfactory for the control of Legionella
- Recommendations based on findings (risk will be rated as Low, Medium or High)
- Full asset register
- Report detailing any remedial works required in order to comply with current standards
- Recommended maintenance programme and precautionary measures
- Identification of responsible and competent persons
- Photographs along with highlighting any areas of concern
- Plumbing schematic
- Full logbook with a PDF copy stored on web based electronic database
- Legionella awareness training for associated staff. Training can include the recording of temperatures and quarterly shower head disinfections.
What to expect during a Legionella risk assessment
During a Legionella risk assessment a qualified assessor will come visit your workplace and conduct a through inspection of your water systems. They will require access to all your water outlets and equipment on your premises, such as:-
- Water heaters
- Water boilers
- Hot and cold water distribution pipe work
- Tap outlets
- Showers
- Cold Water Storage Tanks
- Any other water equipment
Therefore, each asset will be surveyed and assessed for Legionella risk. On average, the time our qualified assessor spends on site is 1 hour for every 10 outlets. An assessment can take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 or 7 hours. It depends on the size of your water system and the number of cold water storage tanks, water heaters, sinks, wash hand basins etc.
What is Legionella and why is it a risk?
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.
What is Legionnaires Disease?
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.
Symptoms of Legionnaires Disease?
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:-
- High temperature, feverishness and chills
- Cough
- Muscle Pains
- Headache, and leading on to
- Pneumonia, and very occasionally
- Diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion
Legionnaires’ Infection
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:-
- People over 45 years of age
- Smokers and heavy drinkers
- People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Anyone with an impaired immune system
Approximately 10-15% of cases will result in death.
The Legal requirement for Legionella risk assessment
In many countries, including the UK, it is a legal requirement for businesses to conduct regular Legionella risk assessments. This is to ensure that employers are taking the necessary steps to protect their employees and visitors from the potential risks associated with Legionella bacteria. 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.
In-House Control of Legionella
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:
- temperature checks
- showerhead cleaning
- descaling and chlorination of all water outlets
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.
If you would like to find out more about our Legionella Risk Assessment services, then get in contact and one of our team will be happy to answer your questions. We will be able to provide you with a free no obligation quote today.
