FEATURE
TAKING CONTROL OF LEGIONELLA
Legionella bacteria in a water system is a well-recognised risk to health and safety, so the duty to identify, assess, and control that risk sits firmly with employers, building managers, and landlords alike, explains Martindale Electric MD, Steve Dunning.
Maintaining safe water systems is a core responsibility for anyone who owns, manages, or controls a property. Therefore, effective Legionella management is a legal and practical requirement that protects occupants, visitors, and the wider community.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IN THE UK
In the UK, the control of Legionella is governed by a clear regulatory framework. The Health and Safety at Work Act, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), highlight the risks arising from Legionella bacteria. These regulations set out the need for thorough risk assessments of water systems, appropriate control measures, regular monitoring, and accurate record keeping - all guided by the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice (L8).
Despite this, cases of Legionnaires’ disease continue to make headlines. Legionella may generally be perceived as an issue with water supply and air conditioning systems that are not often used or badly maintained. However, spa pools, water fountains, and hot tubs can also present conditions for bacterial growth where temperature control is poor, disinfection is insufficient, or monitoring is lacking.
UNDERSTANDING LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in freshwater environments but become a health concern when they enter man-made water systems. Risk increases when the water temperatures sit between 20°C and 45°C, it is stagnant or slow-moving, and where systems are poorly maintained.
Legionnaires’ disease itself is contracted by inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water, leading to a lung infection. The flu like symptoms include coughs, breathing difficulties and high temperature. While the disease is uncommon, it can be severe, particularly if an individual has additional health issues such as existing lung disease or weakened immunity.
MARTINDALE TOOLS TO ASSIST WITH LEGIONELLA CONTROL
https://martindale-electric.co.uk/product/thermokitlgn-legionella-testing-thermometry-kit/
Martindale’s THERMOKITLGN kit can be used for temperature testing and monitoring to help avoid water temperature and conditions that can favour the growth of Legionella and other bacteria in accordance with Health & Safety Guidelines. Included in the kit is a digital thermometer with max function and two thermocouple probes in a hard carry case. The included surface and immersion probes simplify measurement on pipework and tanks.
https://martindale-electric.co.uk/legionella-checklist/
Free guide to your Legionella assessment – it helps ensure that properties are safe from the risk of
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Legionnaires’ Disease, even in single-let properties. This free, downloadable risk assessment form from Martindale helps prevent any steps from being missed.
The Martindale Legionella logbook – helps track and record information related to water management and testing to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria in the water systems. Entry of data allows recording of the checks and tests carried out and the results of any inspections including the dates these were completed and by whom. The logbook is an ideal way to keep a permanent record on file at the premises.
https://martindale-electric.co.uk/product/basic-legionella-management-training-course/
Basic Legionella Management training course – a cost- effective, interactive online training course aimed at employers and staff to assist them in identifying the danger that Legionella poses, as well as covering ways to identify and assess sources of risk from Legionella on the premises. It also gives enough knowledge to get a Legionella control programme off the ground yourself – or make confident, informed choices when commissioning others to take this on for you.
By implementing effective risk management practices, regular monitoring, and appropriate control measures, responsible parties help protect occupants, visitors and the wider community from the potentially serious consequences of Legionnaires’ disease.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l8.pdf
For further information relating to testing requirements refer to the Health and Safety Executive document ‘The control of legionella bacteria in water systems – Approved Code of Practice and guidance’ and other guidance material at
www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires.
https://martindale-electric.co.uk WWW.TOMORROWSHS.COM
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