LEGIONELLA AWARENESS COURSE
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To enable you to be aware of issues associated with Legionella within the UoP & be able to assist in the delivery of the Management Plan.
LEGIONELLOSIS
• Legionella = water-borne bacteria• Naturally widespread in the environment• Over 50 different species identified• 20 known to cause disease in man• Legionella pneumophila
– Legionnaire’s Disease• Pontiac Fever / Lochgoilhead Fever
Legionella pneumophila
Legionella sp. under UV illumination
LEGIONELLA
• Temperature range 20 - 50°C• Proliferates at 37 °C• Requires nutrients• Slow moving / stagnant water• Poorly managed water system
= perfect environment
SYMPTOMS
• Head & muscle ache• Tightness in chest• Dry cough• Sickness & diarrhoea• Confusion / delirium• Coma• Death
‘AT RISK’ GROUPS
0
50
100
150
200
250
Cases
0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+Age in Years
England & Wales Cases
MaleFemale
CHAIN OF EVENTS
Bacteria present in water system
Slow moving / stagnant water
Adequate food source
Temperature range 20-50°C
Aerosol formed
People present
RISK AREAS
• Hot & Cold Water Systems• Cooling Towers & Air Conditioning• Storage Cisterns• Calorifiers• Deadlegs• Showers• Spa pools• LEV’s/ Fume Cupboards
ShowersOperate at desired temps
Poor hygiene
Infrequently used
Prone to scaling
Create aerosol
Showers
Any Questions ?
Hot and cold water systems
Cause the most cases
Cold Water Storage Tanks
Dirty Tanks = clean & disinfection
Types of Water Heaters
Legionella Control
Regulation & Legislation
Legislation• Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSAWA)• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
(MHSWR)• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
2002 (COSHH)• The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative
Condensers 1992• The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems
Approved Code of Practice & Guidance 2001 ACoP L8• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
Approved Code of Practice
• Identification and assessment of risk• Prepare a scheme for preventing or
controlling the risk• Implement, manage and monitor
precautions• Keep records• Appoint a person to be managerially
responsible
Risk Assessment & Control Measures
Why does it matter ?The HSE views Legionnaires’ Disease as
preventable• To satisfy regulation and legislation• To show due diligence• To protect employees and public
When Should It Be Repeated?
• At least every 2 years or when NO longer valid e.g.– Changes to the use of the building.– Availability of new information.– Control measures are no longer effective.– Case of LD associated with system.– Changes to the system or its use.
Typical Written Scheme: H & C Water Systems Checks
• Monthly – temperature checks• Quarterly - shower cleaning• Six monthly - CWS Tank temperatures• Annually - CWS Tank inspections, calorifier
checks• Other systems as required• Weekly - flushing little used outlets
Management & Training
• Inadequate management, lack of training and poor communication have all been identified as contributory factors in outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease.
• Those who are appointed to carry out control measures and strategies should be suitably informed, instructed, properly trained and their competency assessed.
Appropriate Records
• Responsible persons• Significant findings of the risk assessment• Written scheme of actions and control
measures• Results of any monitoring, inspection, test or
check carried out
Typical Log Book Records
• Training records• Lines of communication• Current state of operation• Signature of person that did the work• Plans or schematic drawings• Visit log for engineers/contractors
Schematics Example
T I T L E R E F : H O C H E M I C A L S L T D2
k c
K E Y : -f l o w o f m a i n s w a t e r
f l o w o f h o t w a t e r
f l o w o f c o l d w a t e r
M A I N S W A T E R
D A T E : O C T 2 0 0 3
C W S T 1 C W S T 2 C W S T 3
C A L 7C A L 8
L A D I E ST O I L E T
M A I NK I T C H E N
K I T C H E N S T A F F G E N T S
K I T C H E N S T A F F L A D I E S O U T S I D E
D I S A B L E D T O I L E T
G R O U N DF L O O R
R O O M 2 2 R O O M 2 3 R O O M 2 4
C W S T 6 C W S T 5
O L D S I D E
R O O M 5 R O O M 6 R O O M 7R O O M 8 R O O M 9 R O O M 1 0 R O O M 1 1 R O O M 1 2R O O M 1F I R S TF L O O R
S E C O N D F L O O R
R O O M 2 R O O M 3 R O O M 4 R O O M 1 8 R O O M 2 1R O O M 2 0R O O M 1 4 T O S T A F FB A T H R O O MR O O M 1 7
E X A M P L E H O T E L W A T E R S C H E M A T I C , A S S E E N A B C H O T E L
Why keep Records?• To demonstrate compliance with the law• Show what control measures are being taken• Monitor water temperatures, system cleanliness,
bacteria levels (if appropriate)• Show trend analysis learn more about the
systems• Review performance• Provide evidence of reducing the risk
Any Questions ?