Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionella Risk Assessment

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Legionnaires Disease

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Legionella Risk Assessment - Legionnaires Disease -

Located in Devon, we offer a range of legionella water safety services to companies across the region, from Cornwall to Somerset. Our aim is to ensure that all who use your facilities are kept safe, and that your company stays compliant with the latest regulations. We also offer effective legionella bacteria prevention solutions that are scientifically proven to protect all who come into contact with water.

What is Legionnaires Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. It is caused by legionella bacteria often found in water supplies across the Cornwall region. The risk increases with age but some people are at higher risk including:

  • people over 45 years of age

  • smokers and heavy drinkers

  • people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease

  • diabetes, lung and heart disease

  • anyone with an impaired immune system

The symptoms of waterborne Legionnaires' disease are similar to the symptoms of the flu, with signs including:

  • high temperature, feverishness and chills;

  • cough;

  • muscle pains;

  • headache; and leading on to

  • pneumonia, very occasionally

  • diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion

What is Legionella bacteria and how can it be prevented?

The bactierium Legionella Pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural environments including ponds, rivers and lakes but can also be found in small amounts within the mains water supply. Where there is water and the conditions of creating water droplets (aerosols), people using or within the area of these services may be at risk. It is this bacteria found in the water supply which is the cause of Legionnaires disease.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “if you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including landlords you need to be aware of the risks that legionella poses.” Therefore wherever there is a potential for Legionella it is vital that the risk is managed and mitigated where possible. Our team in Devon are highly experienced in legionella risk assessments, and legionella water safety treatments, and can be trusted to offer the best bespoke solutions for clients across Somerset and beyond.

Conditions and contributing factors to legionella bacteria growth include:

  • Temperatures between 20-45°C

  • Available nutrients (including sediment, biofilm, algae, scale, rust, material, etc.)

  • Biofilm on surfaces of water

  • Poor or inadequate management including training and awareness

If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises in any location in and around Devon and Cornwall, including landlords you need to be aware of the risks that legionella poses

Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

Legionella Risk Assessment

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and in compliance with the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8, HSG 274), duty holders, including employers and those in control of premises, must ensure the health and safety of their employees or others who may be affected by their undertaking, this includes the risk of Legionella.

C&M Water is a water risk assessment and water hygiene service company that provide a full range of control measures and services including:

  • Initial legionella risk assessment

  • Remedial works required as a result of the assessment

  • Legionella testing

  • Ongoing legionella monitoring for tasks

  • Water tank cleaning

  • Legionella training

All assessments are completed by qualified and DBS checked assessors who will undertake a complete survey of the premises to identify factors such as non WRAS approved fittings and poor cold water tank or hot water cylinder conditions; temperature profiling and accessibility to all areas that require monitoring and maintenance by law. As a water treatment company, we provide non-technical legionella schematic drawings services to help identify potential risks should you not have this in place, and we will produce a comprehensive report for you outlining any risks within your water systems and any actions required to meet compliance with the HSE’s HSG 274 guidelines.