Identify and mitigate risk with Legionella risk assessments from Safety First

Where is Legionella found?

Legionnaires’ disease usually develops two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria likes to live in freshwater environments like lakes and streams, but the legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease can easily become a concern when it makes its way into building water and air filtering systems.

It’s a fatal type of pneumonia, contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable Legionella bacteria. Such droplets can be created, for example, by: hot and cold water outlets; atomisers; wet air conditioning plant; and whirlpool or hydrotherapy baths.

If your business premises have these water/air systems you may need a Legionella risk assessment.

What conditions do Legionella grow in?

• Water temperatures between 20-45°C and nutrients are available
• The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C
• Warm, motionless water systems with low levels of oxygen
• Pipe and tank surfaces, rubber and other natural fibres found in washers and seals, water heaters, hot water tanks and in pipes and showers
• Water distribution systems needed for large buildings like hotels and hospitals

What is a Legionella risk assessment?

The aim of a Legionella risk assessment is to identify potential risk sources and propose subsequent methods for prevention, control, monitoring, inspection and maintenance in order to reduce the likelihood of serious health complaints.

What does a Risk Assessment consist of:

Whilst identifying the risk to your water systems, our qualified and experienced Water Hygiene Team will check areas such as; the temperature of each water outlet, condition of the whole water system, identify stagnant areas and dead legs and for any other potential threats.

They will then supply you with your own copy of the risk assessment, which includes;

• Site survey data and asset register
• Observations with photographic evidence (where applicable)
• Schematic drawing of water system
• Documentation audit & review
• Recommendations to reduce the risk
• Detailed Legionella monitoring regime
• Legionella and microbiological sampling & analysis (where applicable)
Depending on the results/risks that have been identified, we are capable of carrying out services such as remedial actions, shower descaling, tank cleans, water sampling and a full water hygiene monitoring regime, in order to ensure your property is L8 and HSG274 compliant.

What is a Landlord required to do?

As a landlord, it is your responsibility and legal obligation to have a Legionella risk assessment carried out on every property you are in control of , whether this is occupied or often more common for Legionella, vaa vacant property.
A Legionella risk assessment survey is a systematic examination of the potential risks presented by engineered water systems, and seeks to identify and assess the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria from work activities and water systems.

The assessment will determine the likelihood of Legionella in water;
• An examination of potential risks to your property
• Determines the likelihood of Legionella in water
• Proposes fixes in the event of Legionella being located
• Ensures you are compliant to industry standards

Why Safety First?

The Safety First team is qualified and experienced in delivering risk assessments to ensure that your business complies with HSE’s ACoP L8, HSG274 parts 1, 2 and 3, and British Standard BS8580:201

With over a decade of experience, our legionella experts can conduct a thorough risk assessment of your premises and provide a full report detailing any actions that need to be taken in order to be compliant with standards within 25 days. .

Protect your business and contact our specialist team today. Such is our commitment to ensuring you are monitored, risk assessed and have the correct remedial works packages in place, we are constantly growing our team to focus entirely on Legionella. Safety First are highly qualified in Legionella Monitoring.

Our recently appointed has decades worth of experience in water hygiene, treatment and compliance and will oversee the Legionella and water department to ensure Safety First remain the leader in Legionella risk assessments, monitoring and remedial works.

No matter what your individual need is, we are sure to have a solution.