WATER SYSTEM HYGIENE AND SAFETY
which can save you time and money in the long run. For example, they may recommend simple control measures, such as adjusting water temperatures, rather than more expensive measures such as replacing systems and pipework. Selecting a competent risk assessor is crucial to ensure the safety of your water systems, and protecting public health.
Figure 3: A photo from the risk assessor working in a hospital’s dirty utility area, who was measuring the blended hot water temperature from a washhand basin. He had apparently failed to notice three redundant branch pipes under a sink.
competent’, ‘high quality’, ‘highly trained’ risk assessors – as their marketing people and websites will tell you – but as AEs we know some risk assessors are good, some are acceptable, and some are poor. So, how can you select a competent risk assessor?
Risk assessor competence The ‘ACOP L8’ states that training is an essential element of an employee’s capability to carry out work safely, but it is not the only factor: instructions, experience, knowledge, and other personal qualities, are also relevant in order to perform a task safely. This is vague, and no detailed assessment of competence is given. HTM 04-01 states that it is recommended that those engaged to undertake any risk assessments associated with water safety should be able to demonstrate their experience and competence to the Water Safety Group (WSG). To help demonstrate competence,
risk assessors can obtain relevant qualifications, such as the City & Guilds Accredited Programme in Legionella Management and Water Treatment, or the NEBOSH National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, which covers Legionella risk assessment and management. Assessors can also attend training courses offered by organisations
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such as the Water Management Society or the Legionella Control Association and others to keep up to date with the latest industry standards and guidelines.
Need for practical experience In addition to training and qualifications, assessors should have practical experience in conducting risk assessments, and be able to provide references and examples of their work. It is so important to select a competent risk assessor. He/she will be tasked with a job which is essential in ensuring that your water systems are safe and compliant with relevant regulations and codes of practice. Legionella risk assessments are required by law, and are an important part of the risk management process for preventing the spread of Legionnaires’ disease. Here are some key reasons why it
is essential to select a competent risk assessor: n Minimising liability: If a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak is traced back to your water systems, you could be held liable for any resulting illnesses or deaths. A competent risk assessor will help you minimise this risk by identifying potential hazards, and recommending appropriate control measures.
n Cost-effectiveness: A competent risk assessor will help you prioritise control measures based on the level of risk,
Overall, a tender specification for Legionella risk assessments should provide a clear and detailed description of the services required, as well as the criteria for selecting a qualified contractor
42 Health Estate Journal August 2023
You will get what you pay for In our experience you will normally get what you pay for. We have seen risk assessments being offered by organisations for healthcare premises for as little as £40. While we all know funds are restricted, it is always worth paying for the job to be done properly, which could save a lot of time and money longer term. The HSE’s ACOP L8 states: ‘The duty-holder must ensure that the person who carries out the risk assessment and provides advice on prevention and control of exposure must be competent to do so.’ As the duty-holder, or if you have duty- holder responsibilities for employing a risk assessor, you need to see the ‘risk assessor’ qualifications and competencies in order to clearly demonstrate that you have followed the Approved Code of Practice, L8. Although many companies employ extremely competent risk assessors, others have new staff members with limited qualifications and experience, without the competence required to undertake a risk assessment within a large, complex hospital or other healthcare facility.
A good example of competence A good example of competence would be a risk assessor who has undertaken several City & Guilds or other recognised qualifications, has successfully passed, say, five- three- and two-day courses in Legionella control and risk etc, keeps themselves up to date via a minimum 30 hours’ CPD annually, has risk assessed hospitals for several years, can list a number of hospitals of a similar size to your healthcare facility, and can provide examples of his/her risk assessments, and names of referees who can be contacted. Conversely, a poor example would be a risk assessor who sat a one-day Legionella risk assessment course five years ago, has undertaken no CPD, possesses no other professional competencies, and may never have undertaken a risk assessment within a hospital or other healthcare facility. We have seen such instances, and there is a risk you could employ such an individual unless you specifically request, and then assess, the risk assessor’s qualifications and competencies.
Vague claims In fact, we frequently see risk assessment companies that state: ‘The risk assessor’s
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