What is a Legionella risk assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment survey is a systematic examination of the potential risks presented by engineered water systems, and seeks to identify and assess the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria from work activities and water systems.
Although it is impossible to guarantee that pathogenic micro-organisms such as Legionella bacteria will not exist in engineered water systems, through proactive risk management and control procedures, it is possible to significantly reduce the factors that allow such bacteria to proliferate in water systems.
Whilst identifying the risk to your water systems, our assessor will check; the temperature of each water outlet, for stagnated water and dead legs and for any other potential threats. They will then supply you with your own copy of the risk assessment, which includes; site survey data, an asset register, observations with photographic evidence, a property risk rating, recommendations to reduce the risk, a schematic drawing of the water system, a Legionella monitoring regime and Legionella and microbiological analysis.
Who needs to conduct a Legionella risk assessment?
All employers, building managers, property owners and landlords are required, by law, to have Legionella risk assessments carried out on all buildings which can be accessed by the public or are a place of work. This includes rented accommodation, office blocks, care homes, supermarkets, hotels, churches, leisure centres, pavilions, schools, hospitals and more.
Benefits of a Legionella risk assessment
Legionella bacteria is a waterborne pathogen that can develop in unmaintained water systems. This water is most likely pumped through out the building to various outlets and could cause harm to the residents. If these water droplets are inhaled, i.e. through showers, spray taps and humidifiers, then the recipients could be exposed to Legionnaires’ disease – fatal form of pneumonia. A Legionella risk assessment will determine the likeliness of Legionella bacteria forming in your water system and will identify the steps needed to reduce that risk. Not only is it imperative that a risk assessment is carried out, however, it is also in the best interest of your customers, clients, employees and yourselves.
What are the next steps?
Once the risks of your property are identified, there are steps you can now take in order to reduce that risk. This could include; water tank cleaning and disinfection, shower head descaling, water temperature monitoring and dead leg removal, along with full water hygiene monitoring regimes. Cleartech employ a team of City & Guilds qualified assessors and engineers that can carry out each of these services mentioned, along with Legionella risk assessments. Contact us today to book in a site visit.
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For more information on ‘What is a Legionella risk assessment?’, or for a quote, call us today 01698 682000, send an email to [email protected] or submit a contact form to our website.