How and Why to Manage Legionella in the Workplace

Legionella is a type of freshwater bacteria that lives in rivers, lakes, and human made water systems. If left unchecked, Legionella can lead to Legionnaires’ disease which can be fatal. As such, managing Legionella in the workplace is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for employees and workplace visitors.

With this in mind, let’s look at the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of Legionella management in your workplace. From here, you’ll be in a better position to ensure your practices are up-to-date, effective, and compliant with UK regulations.

Just How Serious is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Although the death rate is arguably low, it can still prove fatal. Figures show that there were 6.5 to 6.8 cases per million during the period 2017-2022 although this dropped slightly during the lockdown years. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) averaged at 5% of those that showed symptoms.

In other words, for every twenty people that contracted Legionnaires’ disease, there was one death.

Understanding Legionella: The Basics

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like cooling towers, hot and cold-water systems, and large plumbing systems. In these environments, it can proliferate to dangerous levels.

Health Risks

The primary health risk associated with Legionella is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia and has similar symptoms. It is contracted by inhaling small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria. A milder form of infection, known as Pontiac fever, can also occur. Like pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease is more likely to be lethal to the older population than the younger.

Legal Obligations

• In the UK, employers and those in control of premises have legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. They must manage and control the risks associated with Legionella to ensure the safety of employees and the public.

As you can imagine, failure to do so carries some serious legal clout, and Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease must be reported to local health protection teams.

Beyond legal compliance, managing Legionella is critical for protecting the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease can lead to severe health consequences and can be fatal, particularly for older people, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems.

Managing Legionella

The key to managing Legionella is to ensure that the bacteria cannot live in your premises’ water systems. As part of the Legionella risk assessment, you should take into account how the bacteria can spread and take steps to prevent it.

Legionella can potentially thrive where water is used regularly and receives no light. Showers, spas, hosepipes, and water tanks are particularly at risk.

How to Manage Legionella: A Step-by-Step Approach

Conduct a Legionella Risk Assessment

The first step is to conduct a Legionella risk assessment. This involves identifying potential sources of risk in your water system and determining whether conditions are right for bacteria to flourish. Consider factors like water temperature, stagnant water, and the presence of nutrients like rust, sludge, or scale.
The risk assessment needs to be conducted by a competent, trained person such as a health and safety officer or similar specialist.
Check out our e-learning Managing Legionella’s course to get up to speed on managing Legionella effectively.
Also, check out the Approved Code of Practice for Legionella management and compliance.

Implement Control Measures

Based on the risk assessment, implement appropriate control measures. This could include regulating water temperatures, ensuring regular turnover of water, using biocides, and maintaining and cleaning the water system regularly.

Record Keeping and Documentation

Maintain records of your risk assessment, control measures, and any inspections or checks carried out. This documentation is vital for compliance and can be crucial in the event of a health and safety inspection.

Regular Monitoring

Continuously monitor your water systems for signs of Legionella. This might involve regular temperature checks, visual inspections for signs of rust or algae, and periodic water quality testing.

Staff Training

Educate your staff about the risks associated with Legionella and their role in managing these risks. Training should cover recognising potential hazards and the importance of reporting maintenance issues.

Review and Update

Legionella management is not a one-time task. Regularly review and update your risk assessments and control measures, especially if there are changes to your water system or its use.

The Importance of Diligence and Awareness

Managing Legionella in the workplace is not just a legal requirement; it’s a critical aspect of workplace safety. Regular risk assessments, diligent monitoring, and ongoing staff training are key to preventing the growth and spread of this harmful bacteria. By understanding and applying these measures, employers can significantly reduce the risk of Legionella-related illnesses in their workplace, ensuring a safer environment for all.

Key Takeaways

• Legionella poses a serious health risk, primarily through Legionnaires’ disease.
• UK law requires employers to manage and control the risk of Legionella.
• Regular risk assessments, control measures, monitoring, and staff training are essential.
• Keeping accurate records is vital for compliance and safety.

Managing Legionella effectively requires continuous attention and adaptation to changing circumstances. By staying informed and proactive, workplaces can ensure a safe and compliant environment for all.

Get in Touch

If you feel Legionella is a potential issue in your workplace talk to us now. Our experienced professionals can help you achieve compliance quickly putting you in the wonderful position of being legal, responsible, and all the paperwork will be in place ready for your next audit.