Legionella is a serious health risk that affects all kinds of people, particularly sick patients. It falls to employers to ensure their GP surgeries and pharmacies don’t encourage the pathogen to grow in their water supplies.
Without proper supervision, you could end up inflicting life-threatening illnesses on anyone who encounters the legionella virus. Employers could then end up facing unlimited fines, business closure, and imprisonment.
Peninsula offers expert advice on how to manage the risks of legionella. We also offer – helping you eliminate dangerous pathogens found in your GP practice. Call us on 0800 028 2420 to book a free consultation with our Health and Safety consultants today.
Now, let’s take a look at what legionella is, where it’s found, and what the laws are around protecting vulnerable people from such dangerous pathogens.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause fatal forms of pneumonia. The pathogen is linked to various respiratory illnesses, the most severe being Legionnaires’ Disease.
Legionella is originally found in natural environments like ponds, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. However, the conditions are rarely aligned enough for people to be exposed to infectious doses. Instead, it’s found in poorly managed water supplies like:
- Water systems.
- Cooling towers.
- Evaporative condensers and humidifiers.
- Hot and cold-water systems.
- Spa pools, hot tubs, and saunas.
- Indoor ornamental fountains.
If your work premises have any water sources like these, you must ensure that they’re safe to use. Without proper Health & Safety procedures, you could end up putting the lives of your employees, contractors, customers/clients, and visitors at risk of contracting this deadly pathogen.
How is legionella contracted?
When people encounter legionella bacteria, it’s usually done through inhalation. They’ll breathe in small droplets of water that contain the lethal pathogen.
Whilst the risk of contracting legionella through natural habitats is low, the case is quite the opposite for man-made water sources. There are many conditions that could lead to Legionella growth. For example:
- The temperature in some or all parts of a water system is between 20-45°C (which encourages bacteria growth).
- Breathable water droplets are made and dispersed through devices, like cooling towers or water outlets.
- Devices have storage areas where water is saved and re-circulated.
- Bacterial cultures feed on certain types of nutrients (such as rust, sludge, or organic matter).
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, which can be contracted after inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella. Whilst uncommon, it is highly serious and can be potentially fatal.
It can cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as a long-term cough. There is treatment available for the condition. For example, affected individuals might receive antibiotics, or even a machine to aid breathing. Other symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- A high temperature.
- Flu-like symptoms.
Regardless of the severity of the condition - or the treatment options available, you must remove or reduce the risk of Legionella exposure in your workplace.
Who does Legionella affect?
Symptoms of Legionella infection can affect anyone; however, there are certain patients who are more susceptible to dangerous pathogens, like Legionnaires’ disease. For example, patients who:
- Are over 45 years old.
- Smoke, and/or drink alcohol heavily.
- Receive certain medical treatment (like chemotherapy or organ transplants).
- Have heart conditions or respiratory issues.
- Have a weak or suppressed immune system.
Signs of infection include coughs, shortness of breath, chest pains, and feverish temperatures. Despite flu-like symptoms, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Vulnerable people, particularly those with respiratory problems, can suffer from long-term health issues or even fatalities.
What is the law on managing legionella?
In the UK, employers are legally obliged to minimise any Health & Safety risks that could potentially harm people within their premises – including legionella prevention.
Businesses and employers must comply with all relevant legislation.
Let’s look at all forms of Legionella regulation:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)
Under the (HSWA), employers must ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all their staff (and anyone else who may be present within the work environment) through reasonable measures and safe working practices.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (), employers must ensure any harmful materials found on their premises are managed properly. This includes toxic pathogens, like Legionella, which have the potential to cause serious to fatal infection.
The Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)
Under the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance on Regulations for Legionnaires’ disease and the control of legionella bacteria in water systems, employers are expected to follow advice on Legionella testing kits to help ensure all water systems within their work premises are safe to use.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (), employers must report any legionella illness connected to their workplace. This includes anyone who’s worked on water systems that have been contaminated by legionella bacteria.
How to prevent Legionella in water systems
From risk assessments to replacing equipment, there are numerous ways to help prevent deadly Legionella pathogens. The main methods include temperature control, cleaning maintenance, and proper plumbing.
Water systems within UK workplaces should meet the following standards:
- Cold water must be stored below 20°C.
- Cold water must be distributed below 20°C.
- Hot-water storage units should store water at 60°C or higher.
- Hot water must be distributed at 50°C or higher (except in healthcare settings, where thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are usually required to further reduce water temperature to prevent scalding).
Water systems must be reviewed regularly, and only by a competent person with the right training and qualifications. They’ll inspect, clean, and maintain them in accordance with Legionella risk assessments.
Legionella is often found in areas with stagnant water, like unused outlets (showers, taps, and toilets). These should be cleaned weekly and descaled quarterly. Water storage tanks should also be checked for signs of debris and corrosion.
Plumbing is another area where legionella is often found. Employers must ensure their water pipes:
- Are as short and direct as possible.
- Are protected from contamination (like with tank lids or insect screens).
- Have adequate insulation.
- Use material that doesn’t encourage legionella growth.
- Have no ‘dead ends’ – end-of-pipework where an outlet (such as a tap) has been removed and capped off.
Employers must check distribution temperatures on sentinel outlets regularly. This includes those closest and furthest away from water tanks or holding units. These checks are usually completed monthly and should be recorded. Hot water outlets should reach 50oC within one minute of turning on the water, while cold water outlets should operate below 20oC.
What occupations are most at risk of spreading Legionella?
Several occupations are more at risk of spreading Legionella than others, for example, hair salon owners. Essentially, Legionella can occur in any workplace where water systems are present. This includes:
- Dental and orthodontic surgeries.
- Leisure centres with water systems, such as a spa or pools.
- Hospitality settings, such as a restaurant or cafe.
Any workplace that operates from a premises with a water system could be at risk of legionella. Call our experts to determine what your risk is today.
What is a Legionella risk assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment is an evaluation of the risks posed by water systems - both in domestic and non-domestic premises.
As part of Legionella control, property managers and employers engage competent persons to conduct Legionella risk assessments. These assessments determine whether Legionella is present in water systems and can also advise on what control measures you must implement to reduce or remove the risk of harm.
Is a Legionella risk assessment mandatory?
Yes, a Legionella risk assessment is mandatory in any premises that operate a water system. As advised by The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (1974), employers are responsible for the Health & Safety of their staff, and any visitors to their company. This means that business owners must conduct a sufficient assessment of their work to identify any health hazards or substances hazardous to health. If your workplace operates water systems, then your risk assessment must check the risk of Legionella - as well as the likelihood of harm occurring. Either way, when properly undertaken, a Legionella risk assessment will help you implement suitable precautions to mitigate the danger.
Who can carry out a Legionella risk assessment?
Health & Safety law says you must appoint a 'Legionella responsible person' to carry out your Legionella risk assessment. This person will be in control of:
- Ensuring your legal compliance.
- Identifying Legionella hazards.
- Assessing the risk of harm.
- Implementing control measures to prevent harm.
The person you decide to appoint has to be equipped to assess the risks of Legionella in a technically competent manner.
What happens if you don't have a Legionella risk assessment?
You could face severe consequences if you don't perform a Legionella risk assessment and your workplace has water systems.
First and foremost, you'll likely increase the risk of Legionella bacteria spreading, which, if left untreated could cause adverse health effects, such as Legionnaires’ disease.
Additionally, you might have your legal non-compliance investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). As a result, you may face fines, legal proceedings, and even reputational damage.
How often should a Legionella risk assessment be conducted and reviewed?
The HSE's approved code of practice advises that employers perform risk assessments annually. This is sometimes combined with specialist water testing for legionella bacteria, but for simple, low-risk water systems (such as those having cold water from mains, no water holding units of any kind, and no showers or recirculating water), specialist testing may not be required.
However, even for low-risk water systems, a written legionella assessment will still be required, stating the reasons why the risk is considered low and any control measures (such as water temperature checks) that are in place. Depending on the situation, a Legionella risk assessment might need to be conducted more often than annually.
If specialist water testing reveals that the amount of Legionella in your water has changed, you should review your Legionella risk assessment.
This assessment should also be reviewed regularly if your workplace experiences significant changes, for example, if you hire more employees, or add more types of outlet to your water system.
Get expert advice on managing legionella with Peninsula
Poor temperature controls, dead-leg pipes, and unused water fixtures – any of these can host traces of legionella. That’s why it’s important for employers to eliminate the deadly bacteria within their GP surgeries and pharmacies.
