Legionnaires' Disease
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Legionnaires' Disease
What is Legionnaires Disease?
In 1976, the first recorded outbreak of Legionnaires disease was identified following a significant outbreak of pneumonia among people who attended an American legion convention in Philadelphia.
The first outbreak in the United Kingdom was in 1985 at Stafford District General Hospital, which caused 27 deaths.
Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia, caused by Legionnella bacteria. Breathing in small droplets of water, contaminated by the bacteria, causes infection. Everyone is potentially susceptible to infection, but some people are at a higher risk, e.g. those over 45 years of age, smokers and heavy drinkers, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease and people whose immune system is impaired.
Legionella bacteria are common in natural watercourses such as rivers and ponds. Because it is widespread, Cooling towers and hot and cold water systems may be contaminated.
The bacteria survive low temperatures and thrive at temperatures between 20ْ C and 45ْC if the conditions are right, e.g. if a supply of nutrients is present such as rust, sludge, scale algae and other bacteria.
They are killed at high temperatures.
Systems likely to present the greatest risk
- Evaporative condensers
- Hot & Cold water systems
- Cooling Towers
- Humidifiers
- Spa Baths.
Your Requirements under General Health and Safety Law
The HSE (Health And Safety Executive} has produced a document The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8, which requires, employers or persons in control of a building, must ensure that where there is a risk of exposure to the legionella bacteria that may affect staff or members of the public, a sufficient assessment of that risk should be carried out, and suitable precautions taken.
The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8 is enforceable under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 and the COSHH (Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health) regulations.
The penalties for non-compliance with the current HSE, The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, L8 include heavy fines and even imprisonment.
Identifying the Risk
The first step towards compliance is to have a risk assessment.
Our specialist water consultant carries out the risk assessment.
The assessment will include: -
- Check if water storage tanks are clean and hygienic and compliant with the water supply (water fittings) regulations 1999.
- Check the condition of the water distribution systems.
- Take water temperatures and check to see if these temperatures are satisfactory for the control of legionella.
- Provide digital photography of plant.
- Provide a CAD schematic drawing of the plant and distribution system.
- Outline any remedial work to be carried out.
- Introduce a PPM programme (Planned Preventative Maintenance).
- Introduce a management structure programme to comply with ACOPS L8.
| Dead legs are a prefect breeding ground | Sludge in water tanks |
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| Hot Water storage Vessel needs to be set at the correct temperature | |
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