Water Hygiene -
How hygienic is your water?
Legionella is a bacterium that causes Legionellosis or Legionnaires' Disease. These bacteria are common in many environments and have more than 48 different species. The growth of bacteria in building water systems is a common cause of potentially fatal Legionnaires’ Disease.
The Government’s Approved Code of Practice & Guidance on Legionnaires’ Disease (L8) which came into effect on 8th January 2001, states that a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to the Legionella bacteria exists in:
- Hot and cold water systems
- Water systems incorporating a cooling tower or an evaporative condenser
- Other plant and systems containing water which is likely to exceed 20ºC and which may release a spray or aerosol during operation or when being maintained.
Where these water systems exist in a building, there is a legal responsibility by the building manager to put in place a suitable scheme for controlling Legionella. Does your water system meet the requirements?
Please contact our principal consultant Tony Fogarty at
RM Risk Management Ltd on 0121 236 0642 or email: tony.fogarty@rmriskmanagement.com
