Legionella Control

What is Legionnaires disease?

Legionellosis is a term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including Pontiac fever, Lochgoilhead fever, and the severe Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection.

The bacterium Legionella pneumophila are commonly found in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but this is usually in low numbers. An outbreak of the illness occurs from exposure to legionella bacteria growing in purpose-built systems where water is maintained at an appropriate temperature. If the conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow and increase the risks of Legionnaires’ disease. By simply inhaling small droplets of aerosol water containing the bacteria, a person can contract the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease. Therefore, it is important to maintain water hygiene and control water treatment risks by introducing appropriate measures.

Are there Legionella Control risks in my workplace?

With the right environment any water system could be a source for legionella bacteria growth. Using our water treatment design installs can help you prevent and maintain legionella control. There is a significant legionella control risk if your water treatment system:

• Has a water temperature between 20–45 °C.
• Creates and/or spreads breathable droplets.
• Stores and/or re-circulates water.
• Likely to contain a source of nutrients for the organism to grow, e.g. rust, sludge, scale, organic matter and biofilms.

The most common sources of legionella bacteria are found within man-made water systems such as:

• Cooling tower and evaporative condensers
• Hot and cold water systems.
• Spa pools.
• Along with a number of potential risk systems that pose risk to exposure e.g. humidifiers, air washers, emergency showers, and indoor ornamental fountains.

The first step to Legionella Control

If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, you have a duty to manage and understand legionella risks. All systems require a simple risk assessment, which may show that the risks are low and being properly managed. Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) extend to risks from legionella bacteria, which may arise from work activities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) provide a framework for controlling health and safety at work. Specifically, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) provide a framework of actions designed to assess, prevent or control the risk from bacteria like Legionella and take suitable precautions. It is important to review your assessment regularly.

Using our water treatment service contracts at Invincta water, we are able to save you money by ensuring our designed equipments is running to maximum efficiency. Our service contracts are tailored to your individual needs and enable us to help ensure your water meets the ACOP L8 Hygiene Standards.