Legionella Risk Assessments

The Requirement to carry out a Legionella Risk Assessment
The Approved Code of Practice ACOP (L8) 2013 and HSG 274 – Legionnaires’ Disease Technical Guidance gives practical advice on the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) concerning the risk from exposure to legionella bacteria. In particular it gives guidance on sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 (as amended by the Consumer Protection Act 1987) of HSWA and regulations 6, 7,8, 9 and 12 of COSHH. The Code also gives guidance on compliance with the relevant parts of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR).

To comply with their duties, employers and those with responsibilities for the control of premises should:

Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk;
Implement, manage and monitor precautions;
Keep records of the precautions; and
Appoint a person to be managerially responsible.

The risk assessment is required to:

Assess the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria from work activities;
Assess the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria from the water systems;
Identify any necessary precautionary measures.
Be carried out by a competent person.
To be reviewed regularly.

The risk assessment should be carried out by or on behalf of:

The employer, where the risk from their undertaking is to their employees or to others; or
A self-employed person, where there is a risk from their undertaking to themselves or to others; or
The person who is in control of premises or systems,
Landlords of privately leased accommodation.

Legionella Risk Assessments

Aquafine (UK) Limited is well placed to carry independent legionellosis risk assessments. Contact us on advice on how to comply with the current Legionella Legislation.