About Legionella
Legionella Control Association Registered Risk Assessment’s, Water Management Policies, and Procedures.
Monthly water monitoring and temperature checks. All designed to keep clients fully compliant.
Legionellosis is the collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including the most serious: Legionnaires’ disease.
Any water system with the right environmental conditions can be a source for Legionella bacterial growth.
First named ‘Legionella’ after the first recorded outbreak in the early 1970’s where a group of individuals gathered in a hotel in Philadelphia, USA. The individuals were part of a club which called its members ‘Legionnaires’ but don’t confuse this with the French Foreign Legion.
When 2 or more individuals catch the disease it is know as an ‘outbreak’. This was the first recorded ‘outbreak’ and there after it was named as Legionnaires disease.
A little known fact is that most rivers and lakes around the world contain the bacteria but it is hard to recognise disease caught from these sources.
The bacteria needs certain criteria to cultivate and grow within water systems. The 3 main ones are temperature, stagnation and food to grow from.
If a water system is infected then the simple day to day activity of turning a tap on too fast, showering or even walking past a water feature can be deadly. Breathing the fine mist/spray is dangerous – it can kill within 72 hours. Once in the lungs it has the optimal temperature, remains stagnant and has body matter to feed upon.
Here in the UK we have many Laws regarding differing aspects of H & S but the most relevant is COSHH and this is because water is a substance that is hazardous to our health & Safety. Other legislation ‘overlaps’ with COSHH but there is also guidance on preventing Legionella in The Approved Code of Practice called L8.
Whilst water is supplied to most premises by the local water board it is the responsibility of the duty holder to ensure that once within the boundary of their premises the water is maintained.
As normal, duty holders have an obligation to do equal to or better than the ACOP dictates and a written scheme must be produced.
Do NOT take water for granted – Keep It In Check!
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