Legionella Risk Assessments

What is legionella?

Any water system that has the right environmental conditions could potentially be a source for legionella bacteria growth. There is a reasonably foreseeable legionella risk in your water system if;

Water is stored or re-circulated as part of your system,

The water temperature in all or some part of the system may be between 20- 45 °C

There are deposits that can support bacterial growth, such as rust, sludge, scale and organic matter

It is possible for water droplets to be produced and, if so, they can be dispersed

It is likely that any of your employees, contractors, visitors etc could be exposed to any contaminated water droplets

Health and Safety Law

Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems. Approved Code of Practice1 gives specific information on the health and safety law that applies. In brief, general duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (the HSW Act)2 extend to risks from legionella bacteria, which may arise from work activities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 provide a broad framework for controlling health and safety at work (see www.hse. gov.uk/risk for more information). More specifically, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)3 provide a framework of duties designed to assess, prevent or control the risks from hazardous substances, including biological agents such as legionella, and take suitable precautions.

If you are responsible for the management of buildings, you must ensure the risk of legionella is effectively controlled in accordance with HSE’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

To comply with these regulations, a legionella risk assessment must being carried out by a competent person. This would allow the owner to put in place an adequate plan of action to control the risks.

Wilson Energy Assessors are accredited to carry out these assessments.

Stroma Accreditation monitor and audit the surveys and I am also registered as a competent person with the government's Trustmark Scheme.

Why you need a Legionella Risk Assessment

Risk assessments are the responsibility of the statutory duty holder.

The duty holder or responsible party needs to consider, assess and control the risk of exposure to legionella

Risk assessments must be produced by a competent person to ensure compliance

The risk assessment will identify measures to reduce the risk of increasing levels of legionella bacteria

The duty holder or responsible party must inform a tenant about any control measures put in place to maintain a low risk

The duty holder is ultimately responsible for the consequences of not having an assessment

Stroma-certified Legionella Assessors are trained to comply with ACOP L8 and HSG274. Landlords who comply with this legislation should be doing enough to comply with the Law.

Ignorance is no defence in Law – don’t get caught out!

Book your Legionella Risk Assessment from a fully trained and Stroma-certified Legionella Risk Assessor.