Legionella
Legionella Risk Assessments
Legionella risk assessments are the first step in compliance. Our experienced and professional risk assessors are here to assist you to comply with the current legislation whether it’s a full comprehensive risk assessment or a regular review of your current assessment and control measures.
All Safewater reports are clear and concise with the focus on what you need to know. We use images where possible to illustrate assets, hazards or risks identified at your facility.
Our Safewater assessors always fully explain their findings, so you are fully briefed after completion of a risk assessment. We can offer advice and guidance on control measures and compliancy and remedial works required. Safewater follow current risk assessment guidance including BS 8580-1 2019 Water quality – Guide to risk assessments for Legionella Control & L8.
What is Legionnaires disease and why do I need a risk assessment?
Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia and is caught by the inhalation of water droplets that contain the bacterial genus Legionella.
Legionella can survive and grow in any type of water system, but particularly in:
- hot & cold water systems
- spa & hydro pools
- water features & fountains
- spray humidifiers & misters
- showers, sprinkler & irrigation systems
- vehicle wash systems
- cooling water systems including cooling towers and evaporative condensers.
In fact, Legionella can grow in any water system and can be released into the atmosphere exposing people via water droplets and aerosols.
All water systems are subject to a legionella risk assessment under Health & Safety at Work Act, The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations & CoSHH amongst other documents.
Employers, the self-employed and people in control of premises, such as landlords, have a duty to protect people by identifying and controlling risks associated with legionella.
hse.gov.uk (accessed 02/09/2023)
The record of the assessment is a living document that must be reviewed to ensure it remains up to date. Arrange to review the assessment regularly and specifically whenever there is a reason to suspect it is no longer valid.
L8 Approved Code of Practice & Guidance
Assessment of risk is an on-going process and not merely a paper exercise
HSG Part 2 (2014), Item 14