ACoP L8 Legionella Risk Assessments

Professional Legionella Risk Assessment London

Our Legionella Risk Assessments in London are conducted in accordance with ACoP L8.

An Introduction to Legionella

The legionella bacteria is known for causing a range of pneumonia-like illnesses collectively called legionellosis. This includes diseases like legionnaires’, Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal illness that can affect anyone, although certain categories of people are more susceptible:

  • people over 45 years old
  • heavy drinkers and smokers
  • people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases
  • people who have kidney illnesses
  • people with compromised immune systems

Legionella pneumophila is bacteria that can be found in low numbers in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. It can also sometimes be found in cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.

In favourable conditions, this bacteria thrives which increases the risk of legionnaires’ disease. It is therefore crucial to mitigate the risk using measures outlined in the book Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).

 

Cleanair UK Legionella Risk Control Services

  • Annual Cold-Water Storage Tank Cleaning
  • Monthly Temperature Monitoring
  • 3 Monthly Shower Head Descale

 

Important Questions to Answer

What you must do?

  • legionella-risk-assessment-londonIf you are an employer, a landlord, or anyone in charge of premises, understanding the dangers of legionella and the importance of legionella risk assessments is the first step.The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all outline the importance of legionella risk assessments and provide a framework for prevention and control.The following steps are recommended to ensure safety against exposure to the legionella bacteria.
    • identify and assess sources of risk
    • manage and control any risks
    • keep accurate records

 

Where does it come from?

  • Legionella can be found in natural water systems. However, people don’t usually contract the disease from these sources. Outbreaks of the disease usually stem from exposure in purpose-built systems, where conditions (e.g. temperature) are maintained on ideal levels. This includes cooling towers, spa pools, evaporative condensers and hot water systems.

 

How do people get it?

  • People can contract legionnaires’ disease just by inhaling droplets of water with the bacteria. The following conditions increase the chances of this happening.
    • water with temperatures between 20–45 °C
    • breathable droplets of water production like aerosol created by a cooling tower
    • stored or re-circulated water
    • presence of sludge, scale or fouling

 

What are the symptoms?

  • Legionnaires’ disease has symptoms similar to the flu – fever, chills, muscle pains, headaches. Some cases include pneumonia, diarrhea or even mental confusion. The disease is not known to be contagious from person to person.

 

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