Renewed focus on legionella risk

Businesses are being told to do more to protect workers and members of the public from exposure to legionella.

The Heath and Safety Executive has issued a safety notice after identifying common failings in legionella control from a review of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Great Britain over the past ten years.

HSE’s findings confirmed that cooling towers and evaporative condensers are the most common source of significant outbreaks.

Ninety per cent of outbreaks stem from failure to recognise potential legionella problems or to adopt effective control measures.

The notice also stresses the need for effective and consistent monitoring of water quality and the importance of responsibilities being assigned to named individuals with proper management oversight.

HSE’s legionella expert Paul McDermott said: “Through this safety notice we are reiterating what those responsible for the maintenance of water systems should be doing already. Failure to comply with the law means they may face legal sanctions, including in the most serious cases prosecution through the courts.”