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 ?