Legionella Risk Assessment in Colchester
At Swiftclean, we understand the need for businesses and landlords to comply with Legionella control regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Legionella is a hazardous bacterium found in natural water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds, as well as manmade water systems, where high levels can pose a serious threat to the health and even the lives of those who use the premises.
A Legionella risk assessment is used to help identify potential risk factors within buildings, premises and facilities. This formal evaluation focuses on the on-site assets including water storage system conditions, hygiene, temperatures, Legionella control measures and much more. The findings help to determine what necessary interventions might need to be implemented and which protocols should be established for more effective Legionella risk controls.
At Swiftclean, we understand the need for businesses and landlords to comply with Legionella control regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. We assist companies with comprehensive Legionella risk assessments in Colchester, identifying improvement areas to ensure regulatory compliance. This process helps establish vital practices and protocols to manage risks and monitor water system conditions.
Legionella Risk Assessment Services
A Legionella risk assessment serves as the cornerstone of effective water safety management in any building or facility. These assessments aren’t merely optional extras but represent a fundamental legal obligation under UK health and safety legislation.
The purpose of a professional evaluation is straightforward yet vital – to identify and assess potential sources of Legionella bacteria within water systems. Generally, a comprehensive assessment examines various risk factors, such as water temperature ranges between 20-45°C where bacteria thrive, water storage or recirculation, presence of nutrients like rust or sludge, and conditions that encourage bacterial multiplication.
At Swiftclean, our expertly conducted assessments will typically comprise of several key elements:
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- An evaluation of on-site water assets and their condition
- Temperature checks at various points in the system
- Photographic documentation of assets and potential risk areas
- Schematic drawings showing system interconnections
- Clear recommendations for compliance and safety measures
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The findings from these assessments subsequently inform the development of a robust water safety management plan. The assessment can also detail management responsibilities, competence requirements, identified risk sources, control measures, and monitoring procedures.
The question of who should conduct these assessments depends largely on system complexity. For simple domestic water systems, responsible persons with adequate training might perform the assessment themselves. However, for complex systems or commercial properties, engaging qualified specialists is advisable. The ACoP L8 regulations specify that those implementing control measures should be “suitably informed, instructed and trained” to ensure tasks are “carried out in a safe, technically competent manner.”
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Swiftclean commitment:
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- FREE quotation/technical advice – Nationwide – call 0800 243 471
- Works carried out in accordance with the Legionella Control Association (LCA) code of conduct
- Risk Assessments and control schemes carried out to L8, BSRIA and CIBSE guidelines
- All works fully certified and legionella control log books provided
- Fully trained and directly employed staff
- Method Statements and Risk Assessments provided site specific as required
- Training for your own staff following risk assessment
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The Step-by-Step Process of a Legionella Risk Assessment
The practical implementation of our Legionella risk assessments follows a methodical approach designed to uncover potential hazards in your water systems.
The first stage involves a comprehensive site inspection. Our experienced assessors will examine all water systems, including hot water systems, and other potential sources of contamination. This inspection is particularly crucial as it enables the identification of physical risk factors that might not be apparent from documentation alone.
Following this, risk identification becomes the primary focus where the assessors will specifically look for:
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- Water stored or recirculated within the system
- Temperature ranges between 20-45°C where Legionella thrives
- Presence of nutrients like rust, sludge or organic matter
- Conditions supporting bacterial multiplication
- Potential for water droplet production and dispersal
- Infrequently used system parts
Notably, a thorough documentation review represents the third essential step. This includes examining maintenance records, water treatment protocols, and results from previous assessments. Any recommendations from prior assessments must be verified as completed.
Based on these findings, a comprehensive report is then generated. This document details identified risk factors, compliance status, and presents specific recommendations for controlling and mitigating risks. Essentially, these might include adjusting water temperatures, implementing treatment protocols, or improving maintenance practices.
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Legionella risk assessments stand as a cornerstone of effective water safety management, not merely a regulatory checkbox. Above all, these assessments serve as your first line of defence against potentially deadly bacterial outbreaks. The comprehensive nature of proper assessments – from thorough site inspections to detailed documentation reviews – provides essential insights into potential risk factors within your water systems.
Choosing qualified, impartial assessors undoubtedly makes a significant difference, and the dedicated team at Swiftclean are on hand to ensure that your water systems are safe and compliant. If you would like to know more about our Colchester Legionella risk assessment services or have any questions, then please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
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What is a Legionella Risk Assesment?
A Legionella risk assessment is a tool used to identify the risk factors in a facility and determine interventions to help control the risks of Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella assessment helps to evaluate and mitigate the risks and is also a legal requirement for employers; this includes the owners and operators of commercial buildings including social housing, facilities management, healthcare, hotels and many others. Owners and operators have a statutory duty to control the risk of legionella bacteria in water systems.
If the assessment suggests that remedial action is required, Swiftclean are able to undertake these tasks to help remove / reduce the risk of Legionella proliferation and exposure.
What is Legionella and What Causes It?
Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia – a lung inflammation caused by infection. The disease is normally contracted by inhalation, either in tiny droplets of water (aerosols), or in droplet nuclei (the particles left after the water has evaporated) contaminated with Legionella bacteria, direct into the lungs.
Legionella bacteria is widespread within natural water sources such as river, lakes and reservoirs. The bacteria may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools. People can contract the illness by inhaling small droplets of water in the air containing the bacteria.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease often occur from exposure to the Legionella bacteria growing in purpose-built water systems where poor water condition allows for the proliferation of the legionella bacteria to dangerous levels. The disease cannot be spread from person to person – only by contaminated water being inhaled.
Legionella UK Specialists
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, owners and operators of all commercial premises (including: Social Housing, Facilities Management, Hotels & Stadiums, Healthcare, Education and many others) have a statutory duty to control the risk of legionella bacteria in water systems. This includes: identifying and assessing the sources of risk, preparing a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk, appointing a person to be managerially responsible, implementing and managing precautions and keeping records of the precautions implemented.
Swiftclean can conduct a Legionella Risk Assessment, which will identify the level of risk within your property.
Is It A Legal Requirement to Have A Legionella Risk Assessment?
There is a legal duty in place to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria, especially for commercial businesses, including hotels, spas, schools and social housing.
This assessment should be considered a ‘living document’ and reviewed regularly and/or whenever there is reason to believe that the original assessment may no longer be valid. This may be because of:
- changes to the water system or its use;
- changes to the use of the building in which the system is installed;
- the availability of new information about risks or control measures;
- the results of checks indicate that control measures are no longer effective.
- changes to key personnel
- a case of legionnaires disease associated with the system
Legionella Risk Assessment for Landlords
Landlords are under a duty to ensure that the risk of exposure to tenants, residents and visitors to Legionella is properly assessed and controlled. Health and safety legislation requires Landlords to carry out risk assessments and maintain control measures to minimise the risk.
Property managers or individuals responsible for the control of Legionella bacteria should ensure a safe and disease-free environment. The law is clear that if you are a landlord and rent out your property (or even a room within your own home) then you have legal responsibilities to ensure that the property is kept safe from health hazards. The requirement stems from the COSHH Regulations, which require the control of substances hazardous to health, bacteria being included; Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety Work Act 1974 to make provisions for the legislation to apply to landlords of both business and domestic premises.
Landlord Risk Assessment Details
A Landlord’s risk assessment provided by Swiftclean will include the following details:
- Potential sources of risk
- Any controls in place to control risks
- Procedures for monitoring, inspecting and maintaining
- Records of the monitored results, inspections and checks carried out
- Arrangements to review the risk assessment regularly
Why Choose Swiftclean?
If you manage a water system within a building and you require a risk assessment with control measures in place – Swiftclean are here to help.
We are known for being hassle-free, reliable and competitively priced. With a Legionella risk assessment from Swiftclean, you can help to prevent the deadly disease and rest easy knowing that professional measures are in place to help keep your business safe.
Our team of engineers will carry out comprehensive Legionella testing, tailor an action plan to your business and provide a written review to ensure that your business is compliant to the industry standards.
Whatever your needs, get in touch with Swiftclean today. We’re here to provide advice and cost-effective Legionella risk assessments and management to companies of all sizes in the UK.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease can be a potentially fatal disease, caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria. Man-made hot and cold water systems are likely, if conditions deteriorate, to provide an environment where Legionella can grow, so it’s important to ensure your water systems are safe and not at risk of developing this fatal bacteria.
How much does a risk assessment cost?
The price of a risk assessment will differ depending on the size of the premises, how many water systems there are and whether it’s for domestic or commercial use. Contact us today for your FREE, no obligation quote.
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Please call us or email info@swiftclean.co.uk for further advice and a free quote.
