Hydro-X Legionella Control
Hydro-X understands the need for Legionella risk assessments which comply with
legislation both in terms of ACoP L8 and Health and Safety at work. We have
detailed below the requirements set out by law to enable you to understand
your obligations and what is required in a risk assessment.
Hydro-X is a leading specialist in the Water Treatment Arena and the Legionella
control and can provide you with a comprehensive, compliant risk assessment
which covers all your obligations.
For the Control of Legionella the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states:
3(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a
way as to ensure, so far as is REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, that persons not in his
employment who may be affected thereby are not exposed to RISKS to their health
and safety.
What is reasonably practical for Legionella control?
You have a very old building, there is no way to find out where the pipe runs
are and they are in poor condition. You therefore cannot produce a schematic
diagram and indeed would have to rebuild if you wished to replace the pipe-work.
What is reasonably practical to be included in the schematic for the control of Legionella?
- An up-to-date drawing/diagram showing the layout of the system
- It should show parts temporarily out-of-use
- If complex, a site survey is required to include an asset register of all associated plant, pumps, strainers and all other relevant items
Regulation 6(1) Assessment for Legionella control states:
It must be SUITABLE AND SUFFICIENT and include the steps needed
to meet the requirements of the REST OF THE REGULATIONS.
6(1) (b) MUST “IMPLEMENT THE STEPS” identified in the assessment,
implicit before but now stated.
What does Suitable and Sufficient mean for the Control of Legionella?
It has to be of good quality and up-to date.
For legionella work it MUST consider ALL aspects
of the ACoP L8. For example: the size of cold water
tanks; is there sufficient hot water stored in the
calorifier to meet peak demand?
For the requirements of the rest of the regulations for Legionella Control:
The assessment regulation requires that all of the rest of COSHH is considered.
This means for example: that exposure is controlled (Regulation 7); monitoring is
carried out (Regulation 10); there is Information and Training for the staff
(Regulation 12); emergency plans (Regulation 13).
The susceptibility of the occupants and others must be considered. Hot and cold
water services must be looked at for the control of Legionella where the occupants
are particularly susceptible. For example – residential Nursing homes, alcohol and
drug dependency units, homes for person with disabilities and respite care.
The Law for Risk Assessments for the Control of Legionella – Conclusions
A risk assessment is more than assessing the risks, it is the onward consideration
of how the risk will be managed, are the staff suitable, how is monitoring to be
carried out, are there emergency plans in place. It must also be acted upon immediately.
At Hydro-X we are experts in the field of Legionella control and can provide you with
a risk assessment which covers all legal requirements and provides onward consideration
for the management of risks and plans to control the risks.
Please contact us for more information.
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