legionella Risk Assessment
A Legionella Risk Assessment is required by both HPSC and L8 Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), “The control of legionella bacteria in water systems”. This document outlines all recommendations and guidelines pertaining to the safe management of water for reducing risk of Legionellosis. According to Paragraph 4 of the L8 the following actions must be observed:To comply with their legal duties, employers and those with responsibilities for the control of premises should:
(a) Identify and assess sources of risk – this includes checking whether conditions are present which will encourage bacteria to multiply, e.g. is the water temperature between 20-45 oC; there is a means of creating and disseminating breathable droplets, e.g. the aerosol created by a shower or cooling tower; and if there a susceptible people who may be exposed to the contaminated aerosols;
(b) Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk;
(c) Implement, manage and monitor precautions – if control measures are to remain effective, then regular monitoring of the systems and the control measures is essential. Monitoring of general bacteria number can indicate whether microbiological control is being achieved. Sampling for Legionella is another means of checking that a system is under control;
(d) Keep records of the precautions;
(e) Appoint a responsible person to be managerially responsible.
For further reading on these guideline see paragraphs 23-38 (a) and paragraphs 61-65, 124-129, 183-184 (b)
Further to this, HPSC “National Guidelines for the Control of Legionellosis in Ireland, 2009” stipulate that, under occupational health and safety legislation, there is a legal obligation on employers to carry out a risk assessment in relation to Legionella prevention and control in the workplace.
CLS’ Legionella Risk Assessments include:
- Scope of Legionella Risk Assessment
- Description of site and water systems
- Details of Legionella Management specific to institute
- Assessment and categorisation of risks
- Recommendations for control and prevention
- Review meeting upon completion
- Hard and Electronic copy