At Swiftclean, we understand the potential dangers of Legionella and why it is so important that businesses and landlords comply with the necessary Legionella control regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
We help companies when carrying out in depth Legionella risk assessments by identifying key areas for improvement to ensure their compliance with current Legionella control regulations. This process ensures that vital practices and effective protocols are put into place to control the risk and monitor conditions within the water system.
What Is Legionnaires Disease?
Legionella can be dormant in the water system without causing any harm, but when the contaminated water is aerosolised into a spray through things such as Cooling Towers, Showers, Spa Pools or Hosepipes then it can be inhaled and cause ‘Legionnaires Disease’.
A potentially fatal type of pneumonia, Legionnaires disease is frequently misdiagnosed due to the earlier symptoms often presenting similar to that of flu or a cold. There are people that can be more susceptible to the disease including:
- People over 45 years old
- Those with chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Heavy smokers and drinkers
- People with lung disease, heart disease and diabetes
- Individuals with compromised immune systems
Treatment with antibiotics is required as soon as possible in order to provide the best chance of a positive outcome as Legionnaires disease is fatal in around 12% of cases.
What Is a Legionella Risk Assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment is used to help identify potential risk factors within buildings, premises and facilities. The findings are then used to pinpoint what interventions are required and the protocols and systems that need putting in place in order to establish robust Legionella risk controls.
Is a Legionella Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement?
Under UK Health and Safety law – landlords, business owners, employers and property managers are legally required to assess, mitigate and consider the risk of Legionella within their business or property.
What Does a Legionella Risk Assessment Entail?
A Legionella risk assessment is the first step to help ensure a Legionella compliant property for its occupants and for those responsible to prove they have taken the necessary steps needed to keep people safe.
At Swiftclean our Legionella Risk Assessments include:
- Introduction and background information on Legionella
- Site details
- Legionella Management Documentation audit
- Condition survey reports of domestic water plant
- Temperature profiling
- Photographic evidence
- Asset register
- Identification of risks – this includes but is not limited to, dead leg pipework (if visually observed on exposed pipework) and little used outlets
- Recommendations for future legionella control and management
- Basic schematic of plant and distribution
Once completed we advise that all assessment reports are kept up to date and are reviewed regularly.
At Swiftclean, we understand the requirements of a Legionella risk assessment and regularly aid companies with the Legionella assessment process to ensure an effective management tool is in place to help control risk and monitor conditions within their water system.
As one of the leading Legionella assessment companies in the UK, we can help your business by identifying the factors which increase risk, so that you can see where you need to prioritise actions and what you need to do in order for your business to comply with the Legionella control regulations.
How To Do a Legionella Risk Assessment
In order to carry out a Legionella risk assessment successfully, those responsible must possess the knowledge and understanding required to do so safely and competently. They must fully comprehend what Legionella is, why it can be so dangerous to people and how to carry out a thorough risk assessment that will identify potential risks and subsequent control measures that need to be implemented.
This is not something that can be done half-heartedly or ineptly. If a Legionella outbreak were to occur within a property you are responsible for, then you will be to blame and held accountable if the risk assessment carried out was not sufficient.
Hiring a professional Legionella risk assessment company to carry out the work for you can be a much safer way to ensure that everything is handled as it should be. Experienced, knowledgeable professionals will help provide reassurance that the assessment and any complex requirements have been properly undertaken.
Legionella Risk Assessment Services
As one of the leading trade, business and commercial Legionella risk assessment companies in the UK, Swiftclean can help identify key areas and factors which increase risk, so that you can see where you need to prioritise actions and what you need to do in order for your business to comply with the Legionella control regulations.
If you would like to find out more about our Legionella risk assessment services then please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have, provide valuable advice and give you a free no obligation quote.
