Legionella Compliance

Water Systems and Legionella Control Compliance

All businesses and organisations with public access to their water have a legal duty of care to ensure that a risk assessment is in place to monitor for legionella, a deadly waterborne bacterium. In the event of an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease, the authorities will require evidence of risk assessment, monitoring and maintenance, without this in place organisations will be dealt with most severely by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Failure to meet with the required compliance requirements may result in prosecution and litigation.

Swiftclean strive to provide expert consultancy and technical support for the health and safety, hygiene and maintenance of water systems in commercial buildings. We are well placed to provide a vital support service and practical solutions, to ensure the Legionella bacteria is kept at bay.

Our Legionella compliance services are the first choice for commercial businesses in the UK, and our knowledgeable team are on hand to provide peace of mind that compliance is achieved quickly and that any risks are managed efficiently and effectively.

Legislation Covering Legionella Includes:

We have a great in-depth understanding of the legislative requirements, and common problems that businesses can encounter. Swiftclean are well placed to provide vital support and provide a range of Legionella control services including risk assessments and testing to ensure business water systems are operating safely.

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 details wide-ranging duties on employers. For example, employers must protect the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, visitors and the general public.

The Act allows the government to issue regulations, guidance and Approved Codes of Practice for employers. These set out detailed responsibilities for employers in every aspect of workplace health and safety, including ensuring commercial businesses and workplaces meet national standards for air and water hygiene.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999

COSHH regulations provide a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances, this includes the legionella bacterium. The regulations place a duty on employers to assess and manage risks to their employees, and ensure all employees are working safely in accordance with their training and instructions given to them.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places a duty on employers to assess and manage risks to their employees and others arising from work activities. The main employer duties include making assessments of risk to the health and safety of the workforce, how to act upon risks they identify and how to reduce them.

Legionnaires’ Disease – The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems

The HSE published a document, known as Legionnaires’ disease – The control of legionella bacteria in water systems (L8 fourth edition 2013), which includes the Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations. It’s aimed at duty holders, including employers, those in control of premises and those with health and safety responsibilities for others, to help them comply with their legal duties in relation to legionella control.

The Legionnaires’ disease document outlines the guidance on regulations, including:

• • • Identify and assess sources of risk
    • If appropriate, prepare a written scheme for preventing or controlling the risk
    • Implement, manage and monitor precautions
    • Keep records of the precautions
    • Appoint a competent person with sufficient authority and knowledge of the installation to help take the measures needed to comply with the law

HSE Charges for Intervention

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action. This enables the HSE to recover the cost of a visit to any premises where a ‘material breach’ has been identified. A material breach is:

• • • No legionella risk assessment in place
    • No appointed person to manage equipment deemed to be a legionella risk
    • Lack of documentation for legionella monitoring programme
    • Signs of organic contamination or scale in a water system

The HSE charge £124 per hour for their Fees for Intervention programme. Since its introduction in 2012, £2.67million has been invoiced to UK businesses and organisations, demonstrating a high level of ignorance amongst those responsible for building maintenance as to the serious nature of non-compliance.

FAQ’s