Though fire tends to be the most ‘high-profile’ risk when it comes to health and safety, there are other important things to consider when managing the safety of your block; such as Legionella. Legionella is often considered a low risk, low priority issue. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the potential consequences of ignoring an issue and not managing any risk.
We have put together a quick guide for Property Managers on managing the risks Legionella
6 things that Property Managers should know about Legionella
The law is clear that if you are a Landlord or Property Manager you will need to ensure that the properties you manage are safe and free from health hazards (HSE). Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASWA) extend to risks from Legionella bacteria and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) provide a framework of actions designed to assess, prevent or control the risk from bacteria like Legionella. Furthermore, the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP): Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8) contains practical guidance on how to manage and control the risks in water systems.
Below, we have listed 6 important facts about Legionella and Legionnaire’s disease, that you should know:
- Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially fatal form of Pneumonia caused by Legionella Bacteria. In 2019 there were 503 confirmed cases of Legionnaires disease, and in 2018 there were 814.
- Legionnaires disease is contracted through the inhalation of small droplets of water (aerosols) suspended in the air; most commonly through showers, air-conditioning units, taps, sprinklers and other outlets that cause an aerosol.
- The symptoms of Legionnaires disease include: high temperature, cough, muscle pains, headache, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and signs of mental confusion. As a result of these symptoms being so similar to a severe flu, many cases of legionella can go undetected or missed diagnosed.
- Although legionella is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection, the risk from the disease increases in people over the age of 45, smokers and heavy drinkers, people suffering from respiratory disorders, diabetes, lung and heart disease or anyone with an impaired immune system
- Legionella bacteria need the right conditions in order to survive; with the right environmental conditions, any water system can be a source of growth for Legionella. Legionella bacteria thrives if:
- temperatures are between 20°C and 45°C (The Human body temperature is 36.1-37.2, ideal for the growth of legionella bacteria)
- there are sources of nutrients such as rust, scale or organic matter
- there is no flow and water is stagnant
6. As an employer, or somebody in control of the premises (i.e. Landlord or Property Manager), you are responsible for Health and Safety and therefore need to take the correct precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to Legionella. These duties include: identifying and assessing sources of risk, managing any risks, preventing or controlling any risks, and keeping and maintaining the correct records; more information about this can be found here.
If you require any further guidance, you would like advice on how to manage and control the risks of Legionella or any other health and safety matters please get in touch.
Contact Ali at [email protected] or call 01376 572936
