HOTELS & HOSPITALITY CONSULTANT’S CONCERNS Paul Abbott, Legionella Consultant at Hydrochem UK, urges hotel and
hospitality facility managers to be extra vigilant of the dangers of legionella bacteria and stay compliant to ensure prevention is maximised.
Since its official discovery in the late 70’s, when 182 attendees of an American Legion conference at a Hotel in Philadelphia fell ill, the aptly named legionnaires’ disease has earned its reputation as any hotel or hospitality manager’s worst nightmare.
The disease is contracted from airbourne contact with the legionella bacteria, which naturally occurs in water. This makes hotels and hospitality facilities, with extensive water systems even more at risk.
After coming into contact with the bacteria, symptoms include muscle ache, headaches, fever and tiredness, and can be potentially fatal. Reported cases of legionella in the UK have increased by 35% this year alone, with the number of outbreaks currently standing at over 1,300 since 2014. In England and Wales, 80 people have died from the disease in the last five years, and in many cases remain seriously ill or now suffer with long-term health problems.
Reports of legionella within the hospitality industry hit the headlines once again this year, highlighting the huge impact that the discovery of the bacteria can have on businesses within the sector.
I have worked with hotels and hospitality facility managers from across the country, minimising the risk of legionella and making sure their systems are compliant and safe. The legionella bacteria thrive in warm water systems, and within a hotel there can be many potentially risky facilities, from the showers and taps, to the air conditioning units.
Symptoms include muscle ache, headaches, fever and tiredness.
It is also important to consider where the bacteria might have access to the nutrition it needs to thrive. If there is rust, sludge or slime present in pipes where there is little water flow, such as the ones leading to unused rooms, the conditions are perfect for legionella to quickly take hold.
The Feathers Hotel, in Ludlow Shropshire, closed its doors to the public earlier this year, on advice of the HSE, after a guest died after contracting Legionnaires ’ Disease following their stay at the premises. Also the plumbing system at The Queens Hotel in Burton, Staffordshire, has been overhauled after two guests fell seriously ill after contracting the disease.
Cases like these are awful to read about, especially when the presence of legionella is something that is easily preventable if the correct procedures are put in place.
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Hotel and hospitality facilities managers need to make sure that their training processes and compliance policies are kept up to date and reviewed regularly, in order to minimise the risk of the bacteria’s presence.
The complex water systems that supply bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and other on-site facilities, including air conditioning units, in hotels and hospitality premises means that they are at particularly high-risk environments for the bacteria. The HSE often carry out unannounced visits to hotels within which they are likely to carry out checks on any man-made water systems. If traces of the legionella bacteria are discovered the HSE has the power to take a variety of actions, ranging from closures of the premises to hefty fines and prosecutions.
Managing the risk is relatively easy if processes are adhered to and staff have a good understanding of what the bacteria is, how it occurs, and how it can be prevented. The key is not to try and cover the risks up but to clearly identify and document them in an up to date legionella risk assessment.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulation, those responsible for the maintenance of a commercial premise are, by law, required to control the risk of legionella. This involves the appointment of a qualified assessor to carry out regularly risk assessments.
The ACOP L8 regulations say that the legionnaires assessment must be reviewed regularly, specifically whenever there is reason to suspect it may no longer be valid. The guidance often suggests they should be reviewed at least every two years but in reality it should be a live document to ensure it remains up to date. If you have added to or modified your water systems, if the use of the water system has changed, or if key personnel have changed then it’s time for a new assessment.
Personally, I would recommend working in partnership with a reputable third-party water treatment company, to look at a safe water programme, to either carry out the assessments on your behalf, or to deliver through, high level initial and ongoing refresher training.
If possible it’s beneficially to have someone impartial and from outside the business to carry out the assessment, as it prevents the conflict of interest scenario. Of course, it’s perfectly acceptable to carry out your own assessments, as long as the assessor is competent. After all, your business and livelihood depend on it.
www.hydrochemgroup.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 31
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