Within the United Kingdom, it is a legal requirement under “Health and Safety Work act 1974” for companies to ensure that they have a current and up to date Legionella Risk Assessment.
A Legionella Risk Assessment is designed to evaluate the risks associated with Legionnaires Disease within your Water Systems. Upon completion of the Legionella Risk Assessment a Written Scheme of control should be generated and a full Water Hygiene Programme should be implemented to control this bacterium as much as possible.
What Legislation and Guidance is available in relation to this disease?
• Health & Safety Executive – Approved Code of Practice L8
• Health & Safety Guidance – HSG 274: Parts 1, 2 & 3
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health – COSHH
• The Management of Health & Safety at Works Regulations 1999
What do I need to do?
1. Legionella Risk Assessment
2. Evaluate the written scheme of control
3. Implement a full Water Hygiene Programme
4. Monitor the effectiveness of the Water Hygiene Programme
All water systems are different, and as so the control measures that should be implemented are therefore different as well. There is no generic Programme that can be implemented in control of Legionella for your buildings.