Assured Safety are a multi-disciplinary, Health and Safety Consultancy, we are Chartered Safety and Health Professionals, Chartered Construction Managers, and Chartered Environmentalists. Additionally, we are registered with the OSHCR, Trustmark, SMAS Worksafe and are Elmhurst Energy Approved Legionella Assessors.
A Legionella Risk Assessment is a detailed process that evaluates the potential for Legionella bacteria to grow in water systems. It involves inspecting water installations such as calorifiers/cylinders, tanks, pipework, cooling towers, and other systems where water is stored or recirculated.
The assessment identifies areas where water temperature, stagnation, or contamination may allow the bacteria to thrive.
The assessment includes:
* A site survey of water systems
* Water sampling and testing for Legionella presence
* A review of current control measures
* Recommendations for managing and reducing risk
Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups. Under UK law, employers and property managers are legally required to conduct Legionella risk assessments to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act, HSE’s ACOP L8 guidelines, and HSG274.
Failure to manage Legionella risks can lead to legal penalties and serious health implications for staff, residents, or visitors. Regular risk assessments ensure that water systems remain safe and compliant with health and safety regulations.
A Legionella risk assessment is a thorough evaluation of water systems to identify and assess the risk of Legionella bacteria growth. Legionella can thrive in water temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, particularly in stagnant or poorly maintained systems, and can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.
The assessment involves:
Site inspection: A detailed survey of water systems, including storage tanks, pipes, cooling towers, and hot and cold water systems, to identify potential risk areas.
Temperature checks: Measuring water temperatures at various points to determine if conditions are favourable for Legionella growth.
Water sampling: Where required, collecting samples for laboratory testing to detect the presence of Legionella bacteria.
Review of system design: Identifying any dead legs, infrequent use points, or other features that may increase risk.
Schematics: Producing schematics of the water system that are used as part of your legionella control plan.
Existing control measures: Assessing the adequacy of current Legionella control methods, such as water treatment, cleaning regimes, and system maintenance.
Legionella risk assessments are necessary to comply with UK Law, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, HSE’s ACOP L8guidelines, and HSG274, including Part 1: The control of legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems, Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems and Part 3: The control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems.
They are essential to protect public health, ensure legal compliance, and prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in workplaces and public spaces. Regular assessments help to identify risks early and ensure safe water management practices.
Ensure a safe and compliant environment with professional Legionella Water Risk Assessments by Assured Safety Services Ltd. Protect your employees, customers, and visitors from the health risks posed by Legionella bacteria while meeting all regulatory requirements.
Why Choose Us?
At Assured Safety Services Ltd, we specialise in delivering comprehensive legionella risk assessments tailored to your business needs. With a team of certified health and safety professionals, we offer industry-leading expertise to identify, evaluate, and control the risks associated with Legionella in your water systems.
Verify our Approved Assessors here.
Our Legionella Risk Assessment Services Include:
Detailed site inspections: Full examination of water systems including cold and hot water storage tanks, showers, and cooling towers.
Legionella risk identification: Assess potential problem areas where Legionella bacteria can thrive.
Water sampling and testing: Accredited lab testing to confirm the presence of Legionella.
Control measures and recommendations: Tailored action plans to mitigate and eliminate risks.
Ongoing monitoring and management: Development of water management plans to keep your systems compliant and safe.
Why Is Legionella Risk Assessment Important?
Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious respiratory illness, similar to pneumonia that everyone is at risk of contracting. Regular assessments are a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L8). Failure to comply can result in significant health risks and legal consequences for your business.
Who Needs a Legionella Risk Assessment?
Any business or organisation with water systems that could pose a risk of Legionella contamination, including:
* Landlord for Flats and Apartments
* Residential properties
* Offices
* Schools and universities
* Healthcare facilities
* Hotels and leisure centres
* Swimming pools
* Manufacturing sites
* Commercial properties
Compliance You Can Trust
We help you stay compliant with all current legislation and industry standards, ensuring your business is safeguarded against legionella risks. Our reports are prompt, thorough, clear, and provide actionable steps to ensure your water systems remain safe and efficient.
Contact Us at Assured Safety for a FREE, no-obligation quote and site survey.
Frequently asked questions:
Legionella is a type of bacteria commonly found in freshwater environments like rivers and lakes. However, it can become a health risk when it grows and spreads in man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot water tanks, and plumbing systems. If people inhale small droplets of water containing Legionella, it can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It can also cause a milder flu-like illness known as Pontiac fever. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, particularly at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, making proper water system management critical for preventing outbreaks.
The risks associated with Legionella stem from its potential to cause serious health issues when inhaled via contaminated water droplets. The primary risk is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that can lead to respiratory failure, organ damage, and, in some cases, death. This illness is particularly dangerous for older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and people with underlying health conditions.
Another risk is Pontiac fever, a milder, flu-like illness caused by the same bacteria, though it typically resolves without serious complications.
The bacteria thrive in water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, showers, and plumbing systems that are poorly maintained or have areas of stagnant, warm water. These conditions increase the likelihood of Legionella multiplying and being released into the air as aerosol droplets, where it can be inhaled.
Aside from the health risks, there are also legal and financial consequences for businesses and property managers if they fail to manage Legionella risks. Non-compliance with UK regulations like the Health and Safety at Work Act and ACOP L8 can result in fines, legal action, and reputational damage.
Legionella is transmitted when people inhale small droplets of water (aerosols) that are contaminated with the bacteria. These droplets can come from various sources, including:
- Showers and taps: When hot or warm water is turned on, aerosols can be released.
- Cooling towers and air-conditioning systems: These systems can generate and spread aerosols over large areas.
- Hot tubs and whirlpools: The bubbling action can release Legionella-contaminated aerosols into the air.
- Fountains and decorative water features: Mist or spray from these can carry the bacteria.
The bacteria are not spread from person to person, nor can they be contracted by drinking contaminated water. Infection occurs solely through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets. Individuals at higher risk include the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, smokers, and people with chronic lung conditions.
To prevent Legionella outbreaks, organisations should implement the following control strategies:
1. Conduct regular risk assessments: Identify and evaluate the risk of Legionella growth in water systems, ensuring compliance with regulations like the HSE’s ACOP L8 guidelines.
2. Temperature control: Maintain water temperatures outside the ideal growth range for Legionella (20°C to 45°C). Keep cold water below 20°C and hot water above 60°C to inhibit bacterial growth.
3. Regular flushing of water systems: Ensure infrequently used outlets such as taps and showers are regularly flushed to prevent water stagnation, where Legionella thrives.
4. Clean and disinfect water systems: Regularly clean and descale water tanks, cooling towers, and other equipment to prevent biofilm, which provides a habitat for Legionella.
5. Water treatment: Use chemical treatments such as chlorine, or other biocides, to kill bacteria and maintain safe water quality.
6. Monitoring and maintenance: Implement an ongoing water monitoring regime, including regular temperature checks and water sampling for Legionella testing.
7. Design improvements: Modify water systems to remove dead legs, redundant pipework, or areas where water can stagnate, reducing risk points in the system.
8. Staff training: Train responsible staff on the risks of Legionella and best practices for water system management and control measures.
These proactive strategies will significantly reduce the risk of Legionella outbreaks and ensure compliance with legal obligations.
We provide Legionella Risk Assessments in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Hereford, Leicester, Loughborough, Mere Green, Nottingham, Solihull, Stafford, Stourbridge, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Telford, Willenhall, Worcester, Wolverhampton and Wylde Green.
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