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Our water treatment consultants can design and implement a water treatment programme which could increase the efficiency of your plant and water system.

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What is a Legionnaires' Disease?

Legionnaires' disease is one of a group of diseases collectively known as legionellosis.   More than forty different species of bacteria are associated with legionellosis, the most dangerous being Legionella pneumophilia.   Infection by L. pneumophilia can result in pneumonia and the symptoms are similar to those of flu and include high temperatures, muscle pains and headaches.   Legionellosis principally affect those who are susceptible due to age, illness, immuno-suppression, smoking etc. and is associated with a fatality rate of approximately 12%.

Source
Legionella organisms are widespread in natural water sources and have been found in rivers, lakes, mud and soil. However, Legionella can also colonise man-made hot and water systems such as storage tanks, calorifiers, air conditioning systems and cooling towers. The bacteria can live and multiply at temperatures of 20 - 45°C.

Route of Infection
Legionellosis is caused by the inhalation of airborne droplets, which contain legionella bacteria. However, infection can only occur under certain conditions that permit the growth and multiplication of the organism and involve the creation of droplets or aerosols (typically <5µm), which can be inhaled and hence deeply penetrated to the lung.

What Are Your Legal Requirements?

Building owners are responsible for their work premises under Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (sections 2, 3, 4 &6), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (Regulations 6,7,8,9 &12) and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to protect the health and safety of not only their employees but for all those who are at risk including members of public. The Health and Safety Commission's Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 is a guideline document for the prevention and control of legionellosis in water systems and has a special legal status by which the employer can be prosecuted, fined or even imprisoned, if it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the Code.

It requires that landlords and employers must carry out 'a suitable and sufficient assessment' to assess the risk of exposure to legionella from workplace activities and water systems in the premises. In practice, this means you must:

•  Identify and assess the risks. Look for water stored between temperatures between 20 0 C and 45 0 C. This includes installations such as showers that can distribute droplets of water.

•  Prepare a scheme to prevent or control the risk.

•  Nominate a responsible person to manage the scheme and keep records.
How Can We Help?

Our risk assessment programme includes an inspection of water systems (water quality of cold water cisterns, hot water plants, spray producing devices, cooling towers and other plants & down services etc.) and an audit of site management, procedures and records. The assessment will comment on the condition of plant and advise you on any remediation necessary in order to reduce the risk from legionella bacteria.

For further information contact us on (0151) 2579302, by e-mail at info@teamsnorth.co.uk or fill out a contact us form from the above menu.
 
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