WATER HYGIENE & SAFETY
their assistance and technical expertise, providing contingency supplies, and trying their utmost not to be obstructive while working within the confines of the law. Unfortunately, the involvement of water fittings teams is not always perceived as a gesture of support, and their advice or requests for additional information are sometimes ignored. Too often they have to resort to reminding contractors and installers on site, in the strongest possible terms, that the water fittings regulation/ byelaws have not been relaxed; they apply at all times, including during this pandemic, and must be complied with. Yes, it is absolutely essential that these hospitals and mortuaries are built, but not in a way that could risk the health of others.
Lessons learned
There have undoubtedly been some issues regarding the setting up facilities in response to COVID-19. There appears to be a correlation between the level of communication and the relationship with local water companies. Where there has been an existing good working relationship between the NHS and/or main contractor and the water company, there has been good communication and involvement, and the experience has been a positive one, with a successful outcome.
Communication
Water fittings teams are willing to work together to establish good practice in at least two key areas:
Good communication
Good communication is critical in all walks of life. It was apparent from the outset that a lack of communication would create problems, and there have been too many instances where finding the right point of contact has been difficult and time- consuming for all parties.
Moving forward, there need to be improvements to communication between those responsible for work on new or
Laura Smith
Regulatory analyst, Laura Smith, has nine years’ experience within the water industry, and currently works within water network technical operations. Prior to this she gained experience across the business which employs her in operational change projects and plant maintenance coordination. In her current role she focuses on the regulatory and legislative requirements surrounding the water network. She works closely with the water fittings section and the wider network team to understand where processes can be optimised and innovated. She also works with a number of water industry representatives nationally
on working groups, to build relationships and establish best practice across the industry. Laura Smith enjoys regular liaison with WRAS (the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) in her regulatory role. HEJ would like to thank WRAS for its part in facilitating the writing and submission of this article.
38 Health Estate Journal June 2020 Suitable quality and standard
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, the Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, and the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009, impose a legal duty on any person not to install and use water fittings unless they are:
•of an appropriate quality and standard. •suitable for the circumstances in which they are used. •compliant with any applicable requirements of schedule 2 of the regulations/byelaws.
Regulation 4 sets out the requirements which water fittings must meet. The requirements relating to the quality and standard of water fittings are set out in regulations 4(1)(a) and 4(2):
•Regulation 4(1)(a): states that ‘every water fitting shall be of an appropriate quality and standard’.
•Regulation 4(2): identifies the routes by which to demonstrate a water fitting is of an appropriate quality or standard.
Being of an appropriate quality and standard, that is to say conforming with regulation 4(1)(a), does not, of itself, guarantee conformity with the regulations. This is because a water fitting must comply with all parts of the regulations. Please contact your water company for further information.
existing plumbing systems, and a water company’s water fittings team. Whether WaterSafe-approved contractors are used or not, notification should be the first step.
Building relationships
Some contractors, and possibly those less familiar with HTM 04-01 and the water fittings regulations/byelaws, have been unwilling to engage with water fittings teams, resulting in problems gaining access to sites and areas within them, and in turn reducing time to carry out essential inspections.
Water companies recognise the role that education plays in improving compliance with the water fittings regulations/byelaws. By offering technical support and advice on site from the outset, water companies not only wanted to ensure the safe modification and installation of plumbing systems, but also to increase awareness of the water fittings
regulations, understanding which would be carried forward and applied in future projects. Water companies are happy to provide presentations regarding water fittings regulations/byelaws, and are keen to forge sustainable, closer working relationships with the NHS and its contractors. Some water fittings teams are already reporting that, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, they now have the right contacts within the NHS, and are looking at ways to work more closely together in future.5
‘Exit strategy’
Dealing with the immediate issues is not the only concern of the water undertakers; what to do when sites are decommissioned is another public health consideration. When sites are decommissioned, it is strongly recommended that those responsible for them contact their water company for advice.
References 1 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, The Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, and The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
2 Regulation 5 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, Byelaws in Scotland.
3 For further information of notification, refer to Information on notification of proposed plumbing work, published by WRAS [
https://tinyurl.com/ycutlfab].
4 Section 174 of the Water Industry Act; similar legislation applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
5 Contact details for water companies can be found at:
https://www.wras.co.uk/ contacts/water_company_contacts
hej
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