In this article we ask are showers safe from legionella and other dangerous bacteria? While there is robust legislation in place covering UK businesses requiring them to keep their water systems safe and free from dangerous bacteria such as legionella, you may be surprised to learn that private homes have no such controls.
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.
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.
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.
Do you really need to carry out a legionella risk assessment at your premises or place of work and how often do you need one? Well, an important question to answer first is does your business operate any type of water system? This can include a simple hot and cold water system serving taps and toilets, a shower or something a little more specialised such as a cooling tower for example.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of Legionella control and specialist environmental hygiene solutions including Legionella risk assessments, training courses and water testing for the control of Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella, Pseudomonas and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our Legionella control and environmental hygiene services include:
Specialist Legionella risk assessment services to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8.
Detailed water safety risk assessments delivered by fully trained Legionella risk assessors capable of performing detailed examinations of all man-made water systems. Our teams of specialists will also review existing risk management and control processes established to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Specialist Legionella training courses developed to support organisations and individuals with responsibility for the management and control of Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella in the workplace.
Our range of specialist Legionella training courses cater for different roles and levels of management responsibility and are delivered by experienced industry experts. Our courses include an entry level Legionella awareness course, plus more advanced courses aimed specifically at duty holders, the responsible person, engineering contractors and others with day-to-day responsibility for the management and control of Legionella risks in the workplace.
Water Treatment Services offer a full range of UKAS accredited Legionella testing, laboratory analysis and in-field water testing and water sampling solutions.
Our UKAS Legionella testing and water sampling services have been developed to accurately identify whether your systems meet the safety and water quality standards set by the Health & Safety Executive for permitted levels of Legionella bacteria in water. Such analysis helps to improve water safety standards, provides confirmation that your Legionella control activities are effective, and will help to improve regulatory compliance.
Industrial water treatment services delivered by experts. Our engineers combine their expertise with the latest high performance water treatment chemicals, equipment and controllers to reduce costs; improve safety, reliability and efficiency, and extend asset lifecycles. Expert in the management of industrial boilers and steam generating systems, cooling towers and cooling water systems; closed systems, and legionella control and compliance… water treatment →
Industrial wastewater treatment and trade effluent solutions to improve cost efficiency, process optimisation and environmental compliance. Our innovative industrial wastewater and effluent treatment solutions encompass effluent discharge, regulatory compliance and consent evaluation; process design, chemical and biological treatments, sludge management, and the latest water recycling and reuse solutions… wastewater treatment →
Expert air quality solutions to help organisations manage air quality and other environmental issues that may affect the quality of internal workplace environments and the health and well-being of building occupants. Our specialist air quality management solutions include indoor air quality assessments, LEV testing and inspections, dust and air quality monitoring, ventilation ductwork cleaning and comprehensive air hygiene services… air quality →
Innovative energy efficiency and resource optimisation solutions for organisations seeking to become more energy efficient, save water, reduce costs and build sustainable environmental performance. Our energy efficiency experts examine the use of energy and water in industrial heat transfer systems, steam boilers, HVAC, cooling towers, and the treatment of wastewater and effluent in commercial, industrial and process applications… energy efficiency →
Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK based industrial water treatment company and environmental services specialist delivering expert advice, engineering support solutions and world-class consulting services across a range of specialist disciplines involving the use and management of water, wastewater, air and energy. Our innovative solutions for the treatment of industrial and process waters, Legionella control, industrial wastewater treatment, air quality analysis and energy efficiency are delivered through world-class teams of water management, environmental and engineering specialists who bring together unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities and practical know-how across their specialist areas of operation to deliver real performance improvements to clients. We are strategically located throughout the UK with main offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester serving the North West, and Glasgow serving Scotland. These are further supported by offices in Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales) and Leeds (North and North East England), regional teams of engineers, in-field specialists and technical experts who deliver advice and engineering solutions to support our clients across all institutional, commercial and industrial sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. If you’d like to learn more about what we do or how we can help you please contact us today by calling 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below to get our full contact details or submit our contact form.
Laboratory Water Testing
TMV Servicing
Guide to Flushing & Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems Pre-Handover
Water Treatment Training
Indoor Air Quality
HSE ACOP L8 Download – Guidelines for Controlling Legionella in Water Systems
In this article we ask are showers safe from legionella and other dangerous bacteria? While there is robust legislation in place covering UK businesses requiring them to keep their water systems safe and free from dangerous bacteria such as legionella, you may be surprised to learn that private homes have no such controls.
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.
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.
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.
Do you really need to carry out a legionella risk assessment at your premises or place of work and how often do you need one? Well, an important question to answer first is does your business operate any type of water system? This can include a simple hot and cold water system serving taps and toilets, a shower or something a little more specialised such as a cooling tower for example.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of Legionella control and specialist environmental hygiene solutions including Legionella risk assessments, training courses and water testing for the control of Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella, Pseudomonas and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our Legionella control and environmental hygiene services include:
Specialist Legionella risk assessment services to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8.
Detailed water safety risk assessments delivered by fully trained Legionella risk assessors capable of performing detailed examinations of all man-made water systems. Our teams of specialists will also review existing risk management and control processes established to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Specialist Legionella training courses developed to support organisations and individuals with responsibility for the management and control of Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella in the workplace.
Our range of specialist Legionella training courses cater for different roles and levels of management responsibility and are delivered by experienced industry experts. Our courses include an entry level Legionella awareness course, plus more advanced courses aimed specifically at duty holders, the responsible person, engineering contractors and others with day-to-day responsibility for the management and control of Legionella risks in the workplace.
Water Treatment Services offer a full range of UKAS accredited Legionella testing, laboratory analysis and in-field water testing and water sampling solutions.
Our UKAS Legionella testing and water sampling services have been developed to accurately identify whether your systems meet the safety and water quality standards set by the Health & Safety Executive for permitted levels of Legionella bacteria in water. Such analysis helps to improve water safety standards, provides confirmation that your Legionella control activities are effective, and will help to improve regulatory compliance.
Industrial water treatment services delivered by experts. Our engineers combine their expertise with the latest high performance water treatment chemicals, equipment and controllers to reduce costs; improve safety, reliability and efficiency, and extend asset lifecycles. Expert in the management of industrial boilers and steam generating systems, cooling towers and cooling water systems; closed systems, and legionella control and compliance… water treatment →
Industrial wastewater treatment and trade effluent solutions to improve cost efficiency, process optimisation and environmental compliance. Our innovative industrial wastewater and effluent treatment solutions encompass effluent discharge, regulatory compliance and consent evaluation; process design, chemical and biological treatments, sludge management, and the latest water recycling and reuse solutions… wastewater treatment →
Expert air quality solutions to help organisations manage air quality and other environmental issues that may affect the quality of internal workplace environments and the health and well-being of building occupants. Our specialist air quality management solutions include indoor air quality assessments, LEV testing and inspections, dust and air quality monitoring, ventilation ductwork cleaning and comprehensive air hygiene services… air quality →
Innovative energy efficiency and resource optimisation solutions for organisations seeking to become more energy efficient, save water, reduce costs and build sustainable environmental performance. Our energy efficiency experts examine the use of energy and water in industrial heat transfer systems, steam boilers, HVAC, cooling towers, and the treatment of wastewater and effluent in commercial, industrial and process applications… energy efficiency →
Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK based industrial water treatment company and environmental services specialist delivering expert advice, engineering support solutions and world-class consulting services across a range of specialist disciplines involving the use and management of water, wastewater, air and energy. Our innovative solutions for the treatment of industrial and process waters, Legionella control, industrial wastewater treatment, air quality analysis and energy efficiency are delivered through world-class teams of water management, environmental and engineering specialists who bring together unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities and practical know-how across their specialist areas of operation to deliver real performance improvements to clients. We are strategically located throughout the UK with main offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester serving the North West, and Glasgow serving Scotland. These are further supported by offices in Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales) and Leeds (North and North East England), regional teams of engineers, in-field specialists and technical experts who deliver advice and engineering solutions to support our clients across all institutional, commercial and industrial sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. If you’d like to learn more about what we do or how we can help you please contact us today by calling 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below to get our full contact details or submit our contact form.
Laboratory Water Testing TMV Servicing Guide to Flushing & Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems Pre-Handover Water Treatment Training Indoor Air Quality HSE ACOP L8 Download – Guidelines for Controlling Legionella in Water Systems
A detailed legionella risk assessment is essential to all good water safety programmes.
Water Treatment Services deliver specialist legionella risk assessment surveys and water safety management solutions for the control of legionella and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our assessments meet the regulatory requirements set out in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8, HSG274, HTM healthcare documents and the Care Quality Commission standards.
Our risk 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 and comply with the 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.
Our specialist water safety management and risk control solutions include:
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.
Legionella is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for heath conditions collectively referred to as legionellosis, including the serious, potentially fatal flu-like condition 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 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:
A Legionnaires risk assessment is an essential component in any well managed legionella management and compliance process.
The assessment itself typically involves the detailed examination of all man-made water systems at your premises, together with 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, 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.
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.
In the UK the requirement for a legionella risk assessment is identified in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8 “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water system”.
This ACOP 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 sometimes be a high risk
However, the assessment should also review in detail the following water systems which are known to represent an increased level of risk:
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:
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.
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:
You should also regularly review your own management and communication procedures as appropriate.
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.
Learn more about performing a risk assessment with this simple step-by-step-guide.
In this article we ask are showers safe from legionella and other dangerous bacteria? While there is robust legislation in place covering UK businesses requiring them to keep their water systems safe and free from dangerous bacteria such as legionella, you may be surprised to learn that private homes have no such controls.
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.
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.
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.
Do you really need to carry out a legionella risk assessment at your premises or place of work and how often do you need one? Well, an important question to answer first is does your business operate any type of water system? This can include a simple hot and cold water system serving taps and toilets, a shower or something a little more specialised such as a cooling tower for example.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of Legionella control and specialist environmental hygiene solutions including Legionella risk assessments, training courses and water testing for the control of Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella, Pseudomonas and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our Legionella control and environmental hygiene services include:
Specialist Legionella risk assessment services to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8.
Detailed water safety risk assessments delivered by fully trained Legionella risk assessors capable of performing detailed examinations of all man-made water systems. Our teams of specialists will also review existing risk management and control processes established to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Specialist Legionella training courses developed to support organisations and individuals with responsibility for the management and control of Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella in the workplace.
Our range of specialist Legionella training courses cater for different roles and levels of management responsibility and are delivered by experienced industry experts. Our courses include an entry level Legionella awareness course, plus more advanced courses aimed specifically at duty holders, the responsible person, engineering contractors and others with day-to-day responsibility for the management and control of Legionella risks in the workplace.
Water Treatment Services offer a full range of UKAS accredited Legionella testing, laboratory analysis and in-field water testing and water sampling solutions.
Our UKAS Legionella testing and water sampling services have been developed to accurately identify whether your systems meet the safety and water quality standards set by the Health & Safety Executive for permitted levels of Legionella bacteria in water. Such analysis helps to improve water safety standards, provides confirmation that your Legionella control activities are effective, and will help to improve regulatory compliance.
Industrial water treatment services delivered by experts. Our engineers combine their expertise with the latest high performance water treatment chemicals, equipment and controllers to reduce costs; improve safety, reliability and efficiency, and extend asset lifecycles. Expert in the management of industrial boilers and steam generating systems, cooling towers and cooling water systems; closed systems, and legionella control and compliance… water treatment →
Industrial wastewater treatment and trade effluent solutions to improve cost efficiency, process optimisation and environmental compliance. Our innovative industrial wastewater and effluent treatment solutions encompass effluent discharge, regulatory compliance and consent evaluation; process design, chemical and biological treatments, sludge management, and the latest water recycling and reuse solutions… wastewater treatment →
Expert air quality solutions to help organisations manage air quality and other environmental issues that may affect the quality of internal workplace environments and the health and well-being of building occupants. Our specialist air quality management solutions include indoor air quality assessments, LEV testing and inspections, dust and air quality monitoring, ventilation ductwork cleaning and comprehensive air hygiene services… air quality →
Innovative energy efficiency and resource optimisation solutions for organisations seeking to become more energy efficient, save water, reduce costs and build sustainable environmental performance. Our energy efficiency experts examine the use of energy and water in industrial heat transfer systems, steam boilers, HVAC, cooling towers, and the treatment of wastewater and effluent in commercial, industrial and process applications… energy efficiency →
Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK based industrial water treatment company and environmental services specialist delivering expert advice, engineering support solutions and world-class consulting services across a range of specialist disciplines involving the use and management of water, wastewater, air and energy. Our innovative solutions for the treatment of industrial and process waters, Legionella control, industrial wastewater treatment, air quality analysis and energy efficiency are delivered through world-class teams of water management, environmental and engineering specialists who bring together unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities and practical know-how across their specialist areas of operation to deliver real performance improvements to clients. We are strategically located throughout the UK with main offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester serving the North West, and Glasgow serving Scotland. These are further supported by offices in Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales) and Leeds (North and North East England), regional teams of engineers, in-field specialists and technical experts who deliver advice and engineering solutions to support our clients across all institutional, commercial and industrial sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. If you’d like to learn more about what we do or how we can help you please contact us today by calling 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below to get our full contact details or submit our contact form.
Laboratory Water Testing TMV Servicing Guide to Flushing & Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems Pre-Handover Water Treatment Training Indoor Air Quality HSE ACOP L8 Download – Guidelines for Controlling Legionella in Water SystemsIn this article we ask are showers safe from legionella and other dangerous bacteria? While there is robust legislation in place covering UK businesses requiring them to keep their water systems safe and free from dangerous bacteria such as legionella, you may be surprised to learn that private homes have no such controls.
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.
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.
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.
Do you really need to carry out a legionella risk assessment at your premises or place of work and how often do you need one? Well, an important question to answer first is does your business operate any type of water system? This can include a simple hot and cold water system serving taps and toilets, a shower or something a little more specialised such as a cooling tower for example.
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of Legionella control and specialist environmental hygiene solutions including Legionella risk assessments, training courses and water testing for the control of Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella, Pseudomonas and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our Legionella control and environmental hygiene services include:
Specialist Legionella risk assessment services to ensure the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease are managed to meet the compliance standards set by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8.
Detailed water safety risk assessments delivered by fully trained Legionella risk assessors capable of performing detailed examinations of all man-made water systems. Our teams of specialists will also review existing risk management and control processes established to manage the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease through exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Specialist Legionella training courses developed to support organisations and individuals with responsibility for the management and control of Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella in the workplace.
Our range of specialist Legionella training courses cater for different roles and levels of management responsibility and are delivered by experienced industry experts. Our courses include an entry level Legionella awareness course, plus more advanced courses aimed specifically at duty holders, the responsible person, engineering contractors and others with day-to-day responsibility for the management and control of Legionella risks in the workplace.
Water Treatment Services offer a full range of UKAS accredited Legionella testing, laboratory analysis and in-field water testing and water sampling solutions.
Our UKAS Legionella testing and water sampling services have been developed to accurately identify whether your systems meet the safety and water quality standards set by the Health & Safety Executive for permitted levels of Legionella bacteria in water. Such analysis helps to improve water safety standards, provides confirmation that your Legionella control activities are effective, and will help to improve regulatory compliance.
Industrial water treatment services delivered by experts. Our engineers combine their expertise with the latest high performance water treatment chemicals, equipment and controllers to reduce costs; improve safety, reliability and efficiency, and extend asset lifecycles. Expert in the management of industrial boilers and steam generating systems, cooling towers and cooling water systems; closed systems, and legionella control and compliance… water treatment →
Industrial wastewater treatment and trade effluent solutions to improve cost efficiency, process optimisation and environmental compliance. Our innovative industrial wastewater and effluent treatment solutions encompass effluent discharge, regulatory compliance and consent evaluation; process design, chemical and biological treatments, sludge management, and the latest water recycling and reuse solutions… wastewater treatment →
Expert air quality solutions to help organisations manage air quality and other environmental issues that may affect the quality of internal workplace environments and the health and well-being of building occupants. Our specialist air quality management solutions include indoor air quality assessments, LEV testing and inspections, dust and air quality monitoring, ventilation ductwork cleaning and comprehensive air hygiene services… air quality →
Innovative energy efficiency and resource optimisation solutions for organisations seeking to become more energy efficient, save water, reduce costs and build sustainable environmental performance. Our energy efficiency experts examine the use of energy and water in industrial heat transfer systems, steam boilers, HVAC, cooling towers, and the treatment of wastewater and effluent in commercial, industrial and process applications… energy efficiency →
Water Treatment Services is a leading independent UK based industrial water treatment company and environmental services specialist delivering expert advice, engineering support solutions and world-class consulting services across a range of specialist disciplines involving the use and management of water, wastewater, air and energy. Our innovative solutions for the treatment of industrial and process waters, Legionella control, industrial wastewater treatment, air quality analysis and energy efficiency are delivered through world-class teams of water management, environmental and engineering specialists who bring together unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities and practical know-how across their specialist areas of operation to deliver real performance improvements to clients. We are strategically located throughout the UK with main offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester serving the North West, and Glasgow serving Scotland. These are further supported by offices in Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales) and Leeds (North and North East England), regional teams of engineers, in-field specialists and technical experts who deliver advice and engineering solutions to support our clients across all institutional, commercial and industrial sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. If you’d like to learn more about what we do or how we can help you please contact us today by calling 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below to get our full contact details or submit our contact form.
Laboratory Water Testing TMV Servicing Guide to Flushing & Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems Pre-Handover Water Treatment Training Indoor Air Quality HSE ACOP L8 Download – Guidelines for Controlling Legionella in Water SystemsA detailed legionella risk assessment is essential to all good water safety programmes.
Water Treatment Services deliver specialist legionella risk assessment surveys and water safety management solutions for the control of legionella and other waterborne pathogens in the workplace.
Our assessments meet the regulatory requirements set out in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8, HSG274, HTM healthcare documents and the Care Quality Commission standards.
Our risk 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 and comply with the 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.
Our specialist water safety management and risk control solutions include:
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.
Legionella is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for heath conditions collectively referred to as legionellosis, including the serious, potentially fatal flu-like condition 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 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:
A Legionnaires risk assessment is an essential component in any well managed legionella management and compliance process.
The assessment itself typically involves the detailed examination of all man-made water systems at your premises, together with 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, 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.
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.
In the UK the requirement for a legionella risk assessment is identified in the Health & Safety Executives ACOP L8 “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water system”.
This ACOP 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 sometimes be a high risk
However, the assessment should also review in detail the following water systems which are known to represent an increased level of risk:
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:
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.
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:
You should also regularly review your own management and communication procedures as appropriate.
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.
Learn more about performing a risk assessment with this simple step-by-step-guide.
