Although single cases of Legionnaires Disease such as the outbreak in Barrow-in-Furness make the national headlines, there are approximately 250 reported cases of Legionnaires Disease each year in the UK.  The disease is caused by the bacterium Legionella Pneumophila and related bacteria, which are common and can be found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs.  As the bacteria are commonly encountered in environmental sources, they may eventually colonise manufactured water systems and can be found in cooling tower systems, domestic hot and cold water systems and other plant, which use or store water.

Duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act extend to risks from legionella bacteria, which may arise from work activities and more specifically, the COSHH Regulations provide a framework of actions designed to control the risk from a range of hazardous substances including biological agents.  In certain circumstances, cases of Legionellosis are reportable under RIDDOR and those who have control of premises, have a duty under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 to notify the local authority in writing with details of “notifiable devices”.

Risk Management Consultants specialise in the area of water hygiene including the control of legionella bacteria in water systems and therefore selecting us to help your organisation achieve compliance in this area is a choice you can make in confidence.

The principle services provided by us include:

Ø      Risk assessments

Ø     Policy documentation and written schemes for preventing and controlling risk

Ø     Audits & reviews to monitor precautions and ensure standards continue to be met

Ø      Remedial action management

Ø      Monitoring in accordance with the ACOP & Guidance Note L8

Ø      Site based systems to ensure sufficient records are maintained

Ø      Legionella awareness training

Ø     Independent microbiological analysis by UKAS Accredited laboratories