Legionella
As a leading provider of Health & Safety eLearning, our experts are often asked about Legionella Bacteria. We've collected all of those questions and answered them for you below...
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Frequently asked questions
Legionella bacteria are responsible for a number of recognised diseases (collectively known as ‘Legionellosis’) – but Legionnaire’s disease is widely recognised as the most dangerous of these. Read more here...
Landlords have a duty to make sure that tenants are not exposed to any risks of their health. This means that they must make sure that the risk of Legionella exposure is controlled and monitored. The ACoP L8 details that they need to do a detailed risk assessment surrounding it and to have an effective monitoring regime in place.
HSE state that a Legionella risk assessment has to determine whether:
- Water is stored & circulated in your building
- The water temperature is between 20-45 degrees.
- There are sources of nutrients like rust or scale or any organic matters
- There are other factors that might encourage bacteria to multiply
- It is possible for water droplets to be dispersed and if it is possible over a wide area
There are 2 ways to test for Legionella, either you can order kits online to collect your water and send it back in the post for testing or you can get people round to test your water systems for you. There is not a way to ‘see’ if you have legionella yourself at home.
The ACoP L8 no longer puts a time limit ot the review but it is recommended that it is reviewed every 2 years. Or sooner than that if any major changes have happened to the water system in the building.
Documents & other resources
Legionella Awareness - Specific Systems - Hot Water Systems
This document outlines how to maintain hot water heaters, hot water tanks, hot water cylinders, boilers and calorifiers.
Legionella Awareness - Specific Systems - Cold Water Tanks
This document lists what is needed to meet the high standards required by the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
Managing Legionella in your workplace
Together with Citation, we've put together this guide covering your responsibilities as an employer, as well as considerations for your Legionella risk assessment.