What is legionellosis?
Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria. The most serious of these diseases is legionnaire’s disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Legionnaire’s disease is contracted by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols) suspended in the air which contain the bacteria.
The risk of contracting legionnaire’s disease increases with age, amongst smokers, anyone suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease or with an impaired immune system. Risks can also increase in buildings using air conditioners or humidifiers, buildings with dead end pipes, long runs of pipework containing warm water, or indoor ornamental fountains and showers.
Legal requirements
There may be a range of health and safety laws that apply to your organisation including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
Requirements under these laws might include:
Example hazards
Precautions
Here are some examples of precautions you can take:
Making a start on your legionella risk-assessment
What else might you be interested in?
Lifting equipment
In an industrial setting, lifting equipment such as, cranes, forklifts, lifts and hoists is easy to identify. Spotting similar equipment in a church, charitable organisation or other business may not
Management of unoccupied premises
Experience has shown unoccupied properties are at greater risk from arson attacks, vandalism including broken windows and graffiti, burst pipes, theft and fly-tipping.
Managing contractors
From time to time, you might employ the services of a contractor to complete tasks at your premises.