legionella awareness presentation 1

5/24/2018 Legionella Awareness Presentation 1

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Legionella control in the

University of Sheffield

Legionella Awareness for

Departmental representatives


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What is Legionella?

A naturally occurringbacterium

Found in most water

systemsOften present in mains

water

Easily colonises mostdomestic water systemshot and cold


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Requirements for Growth?

Optimum temperature

range of 20 - 45 CFood source (other bacteria

& sediments)

Prefers stagnant conditions


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Route of Infection?Primarily through inhalation

of aerosols, fine droplets &

mists

Can be contracted by choking

on contaminated water

Statistically most susceptible

- 50 to 70 year olds

- Males

- Smokers


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How big a risk?


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Legionnaires DiseasePotentially fatal form of pneumonia

5-30% fatality rate

200-300 cases of infection in England

& Wales annually

Incubation period 2-10 days -

typically 3-6days

Legionella pneumophila 23 sub types

HSE view Legionnaire's Disease as

preventable assuming management

failure!


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Legionnaire's Disease


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Legislation

The Health and Safety at

Work etc Act 1974

Management of Health &Safety at Work

Regulations 1999

COSHH 2002 ACOP L8 (see front

cover)


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L8 Guide to Successful Control

Requires:

Management regime in place

Risk Assessments

Control regime

Maintenance and upgrade

Review


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Risk Assessments should:

Identify & quantify relevant wet systems plus

equipment holding / circulating water

Assess potential for Legionella growth

Identify who is at risk

Assess the potential for bacterial transfer

Quantify and prioritise the risks

Determine suitable means of control


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UoS Responsibilities 1

Statutory Duty Holder who is ultimately

responsibleRegistrar & Secretary

Appointed Responsible Person for day to daymanagementDirector of Estates

Deputy Responsible Person to cover holidays

and illnessHead of Engineering OperationsResponsibility cannot be delegated


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UoS Responsibilities 2

Policy for the Control of Legionella bacteria

Management structure in place with

Contractors charged with carrying out: - Legionella Risk assessments of all buildings

Treatment of water assets where required

Sampling and analysis of water systems Remedial works incl. removing dead-legs

5 Zones - Engineers managing Contractors


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Current Position Current regime in place for > 2 years

95% buildings assessed (some low risk o/s)

Current costs ~ 250,000 pa

Monitoring of sample results on-line

Legionella Procedures Manual in place

Legionella Control Steering Group3 meetings

per year chaired by Prof R F Jackson Policy and Procedures on Safety Services

website


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Typical Systems at Risk

Cooling Towers

Domestic hot & cold water systems

Water features incl. ornamental fountains

Equipment producing aerosols, mists or

droplets from stored water sources including

showers & humidifiers Equipment holding / circulating

water at 20 - 45 C


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Examples of lab & workshop equipment

Water tanks & baths

Spray taps

Water recirculation systems for cooling

Rarely used taps & showers (even at home)

Misting equipment

Dentistry tools

Oil / water emulsions for

lubricating lathes

Mobile AC equipment with water


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Controlling Legionella bacteria

Temperature monitoring Controlled release of water spray

Avoid temp. conditions 20 - 45 C

Avoid water stagnation - empty & clean regularly

Avoid materials which harbour bacteria

Maintain cleanliness of spray outlets

Water treatment where necessary Ensure correct & safe operation of system

Flushing regime for rarely-used outlets


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What Departments need to do - 1

Identify a Nominated Person to help youmanage Legionella risks in your Department

Identify & record all : -

water-containing equipment whichoperates in the temperature range 20-45C

all rarely-used taps & showers

all equipment supplied from stored watersources producing sprays, mists or aerosols

Assess the risk of Legionella growth in each


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What Departments need to do - 2

Check Legionella Procedures Manual forinformation of the management of specificitems of laboratory equipment

If your equipment is not listed, determine thebest means of reducing Legionella risksifneeded, contact Department of Estates for

helpConsider which treatment options are the

most appropriate from the next slide


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Treatment / remedial options

Monitor temperatures; 20-45C = risk range Every 2 weeks - heat water to 60C for 5 mins

Add disinfectants / Chloros as advised

Empty out the water system, thoroughly clean

& refill with fresh water every month Clean & disinfect spray heads every month

Flush rarely-used outlets weekly

Arrange with Estates for removal of dead-legs Arrange with Estates for samples to be taken if

risk exists (sampling is NOT a control measureit takes 10 days for results to be sent throughit monitors whether your controls work)


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Next step

Record all actions taken and results

received.

Review the efficacy of the

treatment regime by checking the

results of analyses received

Re-assess the risk assessment if

there are any changes to the

operating parameters or the system

layout


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Drinking water coolers

2 types generally available:

Using large bottles of mineral water

Plumbed-in units

Legionella is not reported to be a problem withwater bottle coolers, usually work outside criticaltemperature range,

1 reported instance of Legionella bacteria beingisolated from Activated Carbon filters in aplumbed-in unit in New Zealandreplace asrecommended by manufacturer.


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We hope you found this

information useful!

legionella awareness presentation 1

Documents

legionella growth

legionella risk assessments

legionella procedures

days legionella pneumophila

mostdomestic water systemshot

management of health

chokingon contaminated

typical systems