Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionnaire Risk Assessment is an important part of the Landlord’s Public Liability Insurance. The effects of Legionnaire’s disease vary depending on the circumstances. People with underlying health issues, heart conditions, diabetes, lung conditions and people who smoke regularly are more susceptible to contracting Legionnaire’s Disease.

Legionnaire’s disease is a fatal form of Pneumonia, affecting the repertory system, there are additional diseases in relation to this which are not classed as fatal. Lochgoilhead Fever and Pontiac Fever, both cause headache, fever and muscle aches but are not fatal and can be treated with antibiotics and possible hospitalisation.

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Understanding Legionella Disease

Understanding how to recognize hazards, implement control measures and carry out regular inspections of all water systems with ensuring that employees and tenants are safe. There are also procedures to be maintained by tenants to ensure these measures are controlled.

Tenants/employees are required to regularly wash out showerheads, maintain water temperatures and identify and report any issues with water/heating systems to the Landlord/Employer. Should the premises remain empty for any period of time, it is the responsibility of the Landlord to check and flush through water/heating systems.

Legionella Disease can be controlled by maintaining the correct temperatures for all water systems. All temperatures above 70 degrees will kill the bacteria, temperatures below 20 degrees will allow the bacteria to survive, however it will not grow.

Temperatures between 20-45 degrees is a breeding ground for the spread of Legionella Bacteria. The optimum temperature to maintain and to prevent the spread of Legionella Bacteria is 50-60 degrees.

What is Legionella Disease?

Legionella is a widespread natural bacteria. Certain conditions encourage the growth of the bacteria making it dangerous and sometimes fatal for humans, resulting in Legionella being a biological hazard.

Who can be affected by Legionnaires Bacteria?

Men are more likely to contract Legionnaires Disease than Women, the elderly and middle-aged population, those suffering from underlying health issues such as Heart Disease, Diabetes and Lung conditions are more at risk.

How soon after exposure do symptoms present for Legionnaires Disease?

Should a person present with symptoms of Legionnaires Disease, they would normally show within 2-10 days of exposure.

How do I comply with HSE Guidance

Should you be a landlord or employer, you are required to appoint a responsible person to carry out a Legionella Risk Assessment. These Risk Assessment Records are to be maintained and updated should there be a change in circumstances or legislation. Employees and tenants can be provided with a basic set of instructions to comply with.

What are the symptoms to look for?

Headaches
Muscle Aches / Pains
Cough/Sputum
Pneumonia
Diarrhoea
Fever

Is Legionnaires Disease contagious?

Legionnaires Disease is not contagious and can not be passed from person to person. You have to directly inhale droplets contaminated with Legionella Bacteria.

What Controls are to be put in place to manage the growth of Legionella Bacteria?

Maintaining certain temperatures within water systems controls the growth of bacteria.

Temperatures above 60º will kill the bacteria, preventing growth.
Temperatures below 20º will allow the bacteria to survive, however, will prevent growth.
Should these options not be available, copper or silver ionisation or chlorine dioxide can be used.

How Many Types of Legionella re there?

There are over 40 different species of legionella bacteria. 90% of cases are caused by Legionella Pneumophila, therefore this bacteria is classed as the most dangerous.

How is Legionella contracted?

The Legionella Bacteria is inhaled by mist and or droplets of water in the air

What are the treatments for Legionella?

There are many types of antibiotics that can treat Legionnaires, Pontiac Fever and Loghgolihead Fever. Should Legionnaires Disease go untreated, it can be fatal.

Any changes to Water/Heating systems, any new information or legislation or changes in the use of the building/premises will require a new Legionella Risk Assessment to be completed and all records to be updated accordingly.

Pinnacle Property Services can provide a comprehensive Risk Assessment of your property/premises on an annual basis to ensure that all measures are in place and are being maintained to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria.

Landlords and Employers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their tenants/employees. HSE (Health and Safety Executive) requires that all Employers and Landlords are to have a designated “Responsible Person” to carry and record all Risk Assessments for Legionella.

Records are to be maintained for a period of 2 years in addition to the period that they relate, all sampling and assessments should be retained for a period of 5 years. The “Responsible Person” should have knowledge and understanding of Legionella Risk Management and are to have undertaken the relevant training.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has an ACOP (Approved code of practice), this gives advice on the health and safety requirements in line with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the control of Hazardous Substances. Further information and guidance for employees and tenants can be found at Change.org.

Legionella Risk Assessment Records

Please contact Pinnacle Property Services to arrange your Legionnaire’s Risk Assessment for your property. A full certification will be provided, this should be maintained and updated annually or before should there be any change, to the water/heating system or use of premises.

Records are to be maintained for a period of 2 years in addition to the period that they relate, all sampling and assessments should be retained for a period of 5 years.

The “Responsible Person” should have knowledge and understanding of Legionella Risk Management and are to have undertaken the relevant training.