This technical guidance examines the top 10 causes of industrial plant and equipment failure. It looks at issues such as corrosion, external loading, physical impact, pressure, temperature, vibration, the effects of poor maintenance and defective equipment, human error and other issues and how they impact the safety and performance of plant and equipment used in industrial and process environments. Read more →
In this expert guide the air quality specialists at WTS examine the effects of microbiological contamination on indoor air quality and look at the main culprits and what can be done to manage the risks to ensure clean, safe indoor environments can be maintained.
The Health & Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice ACOP L8 – “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems” provides guidelines for those with responsibility for the control of legionella in water systems. This includes dutyholders, employers, those in control of premises including landlords and those with health and safety responsibilities for others. If that describes you, or if you are involved with the control of legionella at your place of work then get up to speed by downloading your complimentary copy of the HSE’s ACOP L8 now – simply use the download button below.
It’s not news that gases polluting the air we breathe, even in minute quantities, can have a huge effect on the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Worryingly, many of the most dangerous gases found inside buildings have no smell or colour, and so often the first indication that there might be a problem with indoor air pollution is staff members complaining of headaches, nausea or a general feeling of being unwell.
This article is about the control of legionella in hot and cold water systems, an essential task if you are to protect the safety and health of people who may use such systems or come in to contact with them.
There are any number of reasons why dust in the air could become a problem in your home or workplace. Sometimes dust can be a temporary issue caused by building work or external environmental conditions like a strong wind blowing sand, dust or pollen around more than usual. However, dust can become a real health issue in workplaces where the activities of the business itself result in high levels of dust and fine airborne particles (particulates) being created. This type of air pollution can lead to a significant decrease in air quality, and prolonged exposure can lead to conditions including coughs, wheeziness and headaches. Dealing with dust is usually straightforward, but first you need to identify whether or not you have a problem and this is where dust monitoring and indoor environmental testing come in to play.
If you work in an organisation which has any type of water system, including hot and cold water systems, showers, spa pools, air conditioning units or cooling towers, then there should be someone in your company who is designated as the responsible person for legionella control. This role can be an onerous one depending on the size and complexity of the buildings and water systems at your place of work. The role typically involves assessing the risks and putting in to place procedures and systems for the control of Legionella bacteria, the microorganism which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal lung infection.
It probably comes as no surprise that most of us in Western Europe and North America spend around 90% of our time inside, whether at home or work. The air we breathe inside our buildings can have a huge effect on our general health and wellbeing. You’ve probably read about the issues surrounding indoor air quality and the phenomenon of Sick Building Syndrome or SBS. This is where people working or living in a certain space find that they develop a range of symptoms such as a cough, headaches, dizziness or fatigue and those symptoms tend to disappear when they leave that environment.