5 Essential Steps for Legionella Risk Management

In this article our water safety specialists highlight the five essential steps that form the basis of any good legionella risk management programme.

The article explains in clear and simple terms what the five steps include with some practical examples of each. It then goes on to demonstrate how this model can be used to keep you compliant with the law and workers, guests, clients and others safe from the dangers caused by Legionnaires’ disease.

Managing legionella in the workplace

In the UK all workplaces must be assessed for risk, to ensure they are safe for people to work in each day. The assessment should also consider potential risks for visitors, clients, contractors, and anyone else who may have cause to use the building.

While all aspects of risk management should be covered, we will use this article to focus on building water safety, and in particular legionella risk management. This is an important process that ensures the water systems in a building or facility are as safe as possible, thereby reducing the risk of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

Five essential steps for legionella risk management

The essential five steps to an effective legionella risk management programme are:

1. Identify the legionella hazards in your workplace.
2. Assess the level of risk present.
3. Implement control measures.
4. Keep detailed records of what you do.
5. Regularly review your risk assessment and management processes.

Identifying legionella hazards in water systems

This applies to the hot and cold water, and process water systems in place, as all can create a risk of spreading legionella. To begin with it is essential to understand how these water systems work and what the risks are. This means any legionella risk assessment should only be undertaken by someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in this area… the term competent is often used.

There are risks associated with water temperature, the quality and frequency of maintenance activities including water treatment, whether the water systems are capable of creating a spray/aerosol, as well as who might be exposed to the water. Understanding which groups of people are at greater risk is important here. For example, older people and those with compromised immune systems would be at greater risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease. Oftentimes, speaking to employees, especially those working in specific areas or departments, can provide more insight into possible risks that aren’t obvious on the surface.

Other risk factors may include the location of the facility, the risk of stagnant water, infrequently used taps and other outlets, or dead legs of pipework.

Assessing all legionella risks to work out how serious they are

Some legionella risks will be more serious than others. For example, a water temperature that sits between 20-45 degrees Celsius allows legionella bacteria to multiply, especially if there are nutrients nearby that they can feed on.

The water supply itself poses a risk if it is not properly and regularly treated. There should be a programme already in place for you to use, but this should form part of the assessment. Is it sufficient? Could it be strengthened to reduce the risk still further?

We mentioned infrequently used taps and other water outlets above, which should be viewed as another potential hazard. The risk should be assessed to consider how likely it is this could cause an issue.

Do you need to do anything further to control the risks from legionella?

Once you have identified the legionella risks in the water system, you should consider whether you’re already taking steps to combat them. For example, not treating the water would pose a risk, but if you are already treating it as part of a maintenance programme, you may not need to take any further steps. This is a good point at which to consider whether the programme is sufficient, however.

Focusing on lesser-used taps and outlets in the water system, you might already be regularly flushing through these outlets to make sure the water inside does not become stagnant – a risk factor for legionella development. You must ask yourself whether this is acceptable or whether you can remove the risk altogether.

Risk removal is always preferred, although not always practical or sensible. If the legionella assessment suggests that removal is impossible, you must next consider how best to control the risk.

If a length of pipework is redundant, it is far better to remove it altogether than to risk the growth of legionella in that pipework. Since cleaning may not be easy to do in this situation, removal would be the best way to remove all risk connected to it.

However, in cases whereby taps or other parts of the water system are used, but not commonly so, you must find ways to control the risk. Regular flushing, maintenance, and checks may be the best way to do this.

Keep records of identified risks, those at risk, and risk control measures

In the UK, established health and safety law demands that all businesses with at least five employees must keep records pertaining to risk assessments and risk management. However, it’s a good course of action to do this anyway, as it provides a written record of what you’ve done and any ongoing steps you are taking to control risks.

Whenever you do a fresh water safety risk assessment, you can refer to the previous paperwork and records to determine what you did and where the risks were. It’s a good opportunity to confirm what is working and whether there is anything else you can or should do to improve water safety.

Regularly review your legionella risk assessment and management processes

It’s always wise to regularly review all the legionella controls you’ve identified to confirm they’re working as they should be. This could lead to early identification of any issues or spotting any new issues that have arisen.

If there is any change to the workplace, the use of the building, or the water systems in use, a new legionella risk assessment should be initiated. This should follow the same steps given above. All kinds of things can lead to this requirement, such as the installation of a new cooling tower, water tank, or other pipework. A new addition to a building, such as an extension, will likely alter the water system to cater for the new building.

If you take on more staff, you will also need to consider the different working practices and different people on site. They could be at greater risk of legionella exposure than those already working there.

Do you need a water safety expert to assist with legionella risk assessments?

While there is no legal requirement for this, you must make sure that whoever undertakes the legionella risk assessment process is competent to do so. If you have a good understanding of the risks connected to legionella bacteria, with qualifications or course passes, you may be the ideal person for the task.

However, if you know that you do not possess the right knowledge, you should look for someone, or a specialist company who has the required experience to be able to take on this role. They will be better able to spot risks associated with a water system and the development of legionella bacteria. Therefore, it is far less likely that you would leave any risks uncontrolled in your workplace.

Expert Water Treatment and Water Safety Solutions

Water Treatment Services provide a comprehensive range of water and wastewater treatment, water quality analysis, consultancy, and water engineering solutions to support business owners and those responsible for the safe and efficient operation of water systems in the workplace.

Contact us today to learn how our water treatment specialists can help you manage your water systems, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure safe, reliable performance.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East), and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of highly trained technicians and engineers, we deliver specialist consultancy, water quality analysis, engineering support, and risk management solutions across the UK and internationally.