• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Call Me Back
  • About
  • Knowledge
📞 Call us on 0330 223 31 31
  • 0Shopping Cart
Water Treatment Services
  • Home
  • Water
    • Applications
      • Boiler Water Treatment
      • Cooling Water Treatment
      • Closed Loop Water Treatment
      • Legionella Control
    • Services
      • Cooling Tower Cleaning
      • Cooling Tower Maintenance
      • Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment
      • Commercial Water Softeners
      • Pre-Commission Cleaning
      • Tank Reline & Repair
      • TMV Servicing
      • Water Chlorination & Disinfection
      • Water Leak Detection
      • Water Testing
        • Drinking Water Testing
        • Metals Testing
        • Pool Water Testing
        • BSRIA Closed System Testing
        • SDI Testing & Analysis
        • Trade Effluent Testing
    • Training
      • Water Treatment Training
      • Basic Chemistry of Water
      • Industrial Treatment
      • Pre-Treatment
      • Boiler Treatment
      • Cooling Systems
      • Closed Systems
      • Wastewater Training
      • Advanced Treatments
      • Training Dates 2021
  • Wastewater
    • Metals Testing
    • Trade Effluent Testing
    • Wastewater Training
  • Air
    • Ductwork Cleaning
    • Indoor Air Quality
    • Local Exhaust Ventilation
    • Mould Testing
  • Energy
  • Legionella
    • Legionella Risk Assessment
    • Legionella Training Courses
      • Legionella Awareness Training
      • Responsible Person Training
      • Water Hygiene Awareness
      • Pseudomonas Training
      • Training Dates 2021
    • Legionella Testing
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Legionella Control2 / Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionella Risk Assessment Services

Legionella risk assessment experts

Water Treatment Services provide specialist legionella risk assessment solutions for the control of legionella and Legionnaires’ disease in the workplace. We help businesses, landlords and property owners meet their obligations under current UK health and safety law to keep people safe.

All UK businesses, including property owners and landlords must carryout and maintain an accurate, upto date risk assessment for the control of legionella in their premises.

Our assessments meet the legal requirements set out in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8, HSG274, HTM healthcare documents and the Care Quality Commission standards.

We will highlight your legionella risks, their significance and what you need to do

Each of our legionella assessments will identify your risks and their significance, additionally they will go on to explain how you can manage them effectively and so comply with the law.

Our specialist water safety solutions include expert legionella assessments, in-field water sampling, laboratory water analysis and full support services to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the UK’s regulatory compliance standards.

This includes the standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice ACOP L8, HSG274 and Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our risk assessments will help identify your legionella risks, their significance, and then explain in plain English what you need to do to comply with health and safety law.

Our detailed water safety assessments are delivered by fully trained risk assessors who can perform a detailed examination of all man-made water systems at your premises, together with a review of the risk management and control processes you have in place to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.

Expert legionella risk assessment solutions

Our specialist water safety risk management solutions include:

  • Legionella risk assessments

    Comprehensive risk assessments fully in accordance with BS 8580-1:2019 “Water quality – Guide to risk assessments for Legionella control”.

  • compliance solutions

    Full water safety compliance solutions to meet the requirements of the Health & Safety Executive’s ACOP L8, HSG274, CQC and Ofsted standards.

  • Expert consulting services

    Expert consulting services delivered by fully trained, experienced specialists.

  • Legionella Testing

    Expert laboratory based UKAS accredited legionella testing, technical support and in-field water sampling services.

  • Training

    Legionella training courses to suit all levels and covering awareness, duty holder, responsible person and refresher updates.

Full national UK coverage

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained risk assessors, site service specialists and technical experts we can offer professional, cost effective risk assessments, water safety and ACOP L8 compliance solutions across the whole of the UK, Ireland and internationally.

Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional water safety solutions can help to ensure your risks are managed effectively and the health and safety compliance standards set in this important area are achieved. To speak with one of our water safety compliance experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.

Contact Us Today

What is legionella?

Legionella is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for heath conditions collectively referred to as legionellosis, including the serious, potentially fatal flu-like condition Legionnaires’ disease.

  • Learn more about Legionnaires’ disease

The bacteria occurs naturally in aquatic environments including rivers, lakes and ponds, usually at low concentrations, but has also been found in soil and potting composts.

It becomes problematic when it enters  engineered water systems where under the right conditions, it can grow to dangerous levels if left untreated.

Legionnaires’ disease can be contracted by humans when fine airborne water droplets known as an aerosol, become contaminated with the bacteria and are then inhaled deep in to the lungs.

Typical sources of legionella contaminated water in engineered water systems include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Cooling towers and air-conditioning systems
  • Domestic hot and cold water systems including showers,
  • Spa pools and hot tubs
  • Swimming pools
  • Hydrotherapy pools
  • Decorative fountains and water features
  • Process systems that use water
  • Dental equipment
  • Vehicle washing systems
  • Industrial cutting fluids
  • Ice-making machines
  • Misting systems
  • How to test your water for legionella

What is a Legionnaires’ risk assessment?

A Legionnaires’ risk assessment is an essential component in any well managed ACOP L8 legionella management and compliance process.

The assessment itself typically involves the detailed examination of all man-made water systems at your premises.

It will also include a review of the management and control processes you have in place to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.

… if you are an employer, landlord or business owner and you control premises or have responsibility for the health and safety of others, you will need to carry out a legionella risk assessment of the water systems that fall under your control.

Our specialist assessments are carried out in accordance with the requirements of BS 8580-1:2019.

Our detailed reports are designed to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are clearly identified, fully assessed and then summarised in a “Plain English” style.

This approach helps improve your understanding of risk so you can meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in this important area.

  • Learn more about controlling workplace risks

Do you need a legionella risk assessment?

In the UK there is a legal requirement for all businesses including landlords and property owners to carry out a risk assessment for the control of legionella in their premises.

The practical requirements of this process are set out in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8 “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water system”.

This ACOP L8 is underpinned in law by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

What does all this mean for you?

Well… if you are a landlord, an employer, you control premises or have responsibility for the health and safety of others (referred to as the statutory duty holder), you will need to carry out a risk assessment of the water systems that fall under your control.

If you ignore the law, or fail to carry out a suitable (and sufficient) risk assessment, you could find yourself under investigation, or more seriously in court if an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease is traced back to your place of work.

  • How legionella training can help you manage your risks

Who can carry out a legionella assessment?

The Health & Safety Executive require that the assessment of risk from Legionella bacteria is carried out by suitably trained people who are competent to perform such tasks.

This typically means experienced, suitably trained risk assessors who can demonstrate their competence to perform such tasks.

  • What the UK’s Legionella Control Association have to say about competence

However, it may be possible for you, or someone within your organisation to complete a simple water safety risk assessment if you have suitable training and a knowledge of both health and safety, and water systems.

Although, if your water systems are more complex or the risks are considered to be higher, we would strongly recommend that you get expert assistance from us.

Water Treatment Services fully trained legionella risk assessors can perform a comprehensive assessment of the risks presented by Legionella bacteria that you can rely on with complete confidence, and that can be used to form the foundation on which your future risk management activities are based.

What type of water systems can create a legionella risk?

A risk assessment survey for Legionnaires’ disease must identify and assess all water systems where the bacteria could grow, the potential for such systems to create an aerosol, the potential for people to be exposed to that aerosol and their susceptibility to the disease.

All water systems present within or associated with a building, whether in use or not need to be included in the assessment of risk.

While many building owners and operators may discount water systems that are used infrequently as being of little or no risk, it is important to understand that such little used outlets and water systems can often present the highest risk so should never be ignored.

little used water outlets should never be ignored as they can encourage the growth of legionella

However, the assessment should also review in detail the following water systems which are known to represent an increased level of risk:

  • Cooling systems, cooling towers & evaporative condensers

    Cooling systems and in particular cooling towers and evaporative condensers which are known to present a significant risk.

  • Hot & cold water systems

    Domestic hot and cold water systems including showers, spray taps etc.

  • Hot tubs & spa pools

    Hot tubs, spa pools and hydrotherapy baths.

  • Fountains & water features

    Decorative fountains and water features.

  • Dental water lines

    Dental equipment using water, especially dental water lines.

  • Industrial cutting fluids

    Industrial metalworking fluids and other cutting fluids.

  • other engineered water systems

    All other engineered water systems that can harbour legionella bacteria and have the potential to create and disperse an aerosol.

What other measures are required to comply with the law?

A comprehensive legionella risk assessment should be seen as only the first stage in any good risk management process for the control and prevention of Legionnaires’ disease in the work place.

Additionally, to fully comply with your legal responsibilities the statutory duty holder should also:

  • Responsible Person

    Appoint a suitably competent person who has sufficient authority and knowledge of the water systems to ensure compliance with the law. This person is commonly referred to as the responsible person.

  • Written Scheme of Control

    Prepare a written scheme of control for preventing or controlling the risk associated with Legionnaires’ disease and the growth and proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

  • Implement, manage & monitor

    Implement, manage and monitor the legionella control measures required.

  • Record Keeping

    Maintain accurate records of all the control measures, tests and other actions.

Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of expert water safety risk assessments, environmental hygiene and water safety management solutions to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their ACOP L8.

  • Download a copy of the HSE’s ACOP L8 here

How often do I need to update my legionella risk assessment?

The UK’s Health & Safety Executive previously required that legionella risk assessments be reviewed every two years but since late 2013 this is now no longer the case.

Those organisations required to maintain a formal risk assessment need to review it regularly and specifically when there is reason to believe that the original assessment of risk may no longer be valid.

The primary aim is to ensure that the assessment is used as a “living document”, i.e. one that is used and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant at all times.

Although there is no specific review period for your risk assessment we recommend that it be reviewed at least every two years as a long-stop, but sooner if things change or you suspect it is no longer valid.

Situations requiring an earlier review of your Legionella assessment could include:

  • Engineering Modifications

    If there are significant changes or modifications to the water system.

  • System Change of Use

    The use of the water system has changed.

  • Building Change of Use

    The use of the building has changed.

  • New information

    New information about risks or control measures becomes available.

  • People changes

    Key personnel involved in the control process have changed.

  • Lack of control

    The legionella control measures employed are no longer effective.

  • Outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease

    A case of Legionnaires’ disease or legionellosis is linked to the water system.

You should also regularly review your own management and communication procedures as appropriate.

Expert legionella risk assessment support

If you are a landlord or business owner contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about our legionella risk assessments and wider water safety risk management solutions. Our surveys are delivered by fully trained and experienced risk assessors, and are performed in-line with the requirements of BS 8580-1.

Our comprehensive reports are prepared to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are clearly identified, fully assessed and summarised to help reduce your risk and meet the legal obligations required in this important area.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, in-field site service specialists and technical experts we can offer professional, cost effective Legionella risk management and ACOP L8 compliance solutions across the whole of the UK.

Contact us now for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.

Contact Us Today

You may also be interested in…

Legionella guidance for landlords

Legionella Guidance for Landlords

4 September, 2020
Read more
Legionella in building water systems

Managing Legionella in Building Water Systems

18 July, 2020
Read more
Legionnaires' disease guide for duty holders, landlords and employers

Legionnaires’ Disease Guide for Duty Holders, Landlords & Employers

4 March, 2020
Read more
Adiabatic cooling systems and open evaporative cooling towers compared

Adiabatic Cooling Systems & Open Evaporative Cooling Towers Compared

2 February, 2020
Read more
Linking legionella hard water and limescale

Linking Legionella, Hard Water & Limescale

19 January, 2020
Read more
TMV valves - preventing scalding and legionella risks

TMV Valves – Preventing Scalding & Legionella Control

9 December, 2019
Read more
Types of cooling towers

Types of Cooling Towers – Plant Selection Guide

4 November, 2019
Read more
Soil testing and analysis of contaminated land

Soil Testing & Analysis Methods for Contaminated Land

6 October, 2019
Read more
Food poisoning bacteria and viruses

Food Poisoning Bacteria & Viruses – Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

1 October, 2019
Read more
What is chlorination?

What is Chlorination?

25 September, 2019
Read more
PreviousNext

Further reading…

Learn more about performing a risk assessment with this simple step-by-step-guide.

REVIEWS

4.8
4.8 rating
Water Treatment Services is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (based on 94 reviews)
Read our reviews

Submit your review here

Legionella Control

  • Legionella Risk Assessment
  • Legionella Training Courses
    • Legionella Awareness Training
    • Responsible Person Training
    • Water Hygiene Training
    • Pseudomonas Training
    • Course Dates 2021
  • Legionella Testing

REVIEWS

4.8
4.8 rating
Water Treatment Services is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (based on 94 reviews)
Read our reviews

What’s New

  • What is Trade Effluent?

    What is Trade Effluent?

    Trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste which …
  • Troubleshooting Problematic Closed Water Systems

    Troubleshooting Problematic Closed Water Systems

    This technical troubleshooting guide looks at closed water systems, …
  • District Heating – Heat Distribution Networks Explained

    District Heating – Heat Distribution Networks Explained

    This technical guide explains the concept of district heating …
  • Legionella Guidance for Landlords

    Legionella Guidance for Landlords

    In the UK landlords have a legal responsibility to …
  • Water Tube Boilers – Industrial Steam Generation Explained

    Water Tube Boilers – Industrial Steam Generation Explained

    This guide considers the use of water tube boilers …
  • Improving Water Efficiency in the Food & Drink Sector

    Improving Water Efficiency in the Food & Drink Sector

    This guide considers water efficiency in the UK food …

Free Newsletter

Receive exciting features, news, latest research and special offers! Just add your email address and we'll do the rest.

© Copyright 2021 - EDG Ltd. Operating as Water Treatment Services
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Home
  • About
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • Environment
  • Reviews
  • Sitemap
Scroll to top

WTS response to Covid-19. As a responsible organisation we have robust Business Continuity Plans in place to ensure business as usual whatever the circumstance. In response to Covid-19, our aim is to ensure continued operations whilst protecting both our people and our clients. To this end we have initiated a number of practical measures that will allow us to continue to support our clients in the most appropriate way. Rest assured that we are making every effort to prevent or minimise any impact on our services during this public health challenge.

OK

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy
Accept settingsHide notification only