While no business will rejoice at learning that their recent Legionella risk assessment has returned high risk values, that shouldn’t necessarily mean that alarm bells need to ring out. Admittedly steps need to be taken and quickly to nullify the extent of the perceived threat posed to employees and, possibly a wider demographic who might become exposed in the event that a threat is actually, physically realised at some juncture in the foreseeable future; but that’s not to say it’s suddenly a red alert situation unfolding.
A calm, collected response will ultimately ensure that pre-determined procedures are subsequently put into place to avert any further risk, or indeed, proliferate the extent and potential spread of the dormant issue now flagged up.
First and foremost as your Compliance Company, we would need to ascertain the remedial plans which are to be actioned, once initial identification of the threat has been established. Our specialist services offered are better equipped and experienced to oversee the bigger picture and undertake the more far-reaching testing and analysis of internal systems to determine health and safety procedures are being carried and industry standards met. Giving you peace of mind.
Legionella and Fire Safe Services are adept at addressing the more complex matters surrounding the aspects of ongoing – and more deep-seating – legionella monitoring, including the critical likes of fitting TMVs, acknowledging and removing dead legs and chlorinating pipework and tanks.
Once a better standard of governance is adopted, then the chances of revising existing risk assessment scores upwards are improved significantly going forward; therein extending due dates in terms of following assessments, providing the scores come down accordingly in the meantime.
Remind me, what constitutes a potential high risk legionella scenario?
- A number of key factors need to be considered when familiarising yourself with situations which might be more susceptible to the onset of legionella bacteria making its presence felt. We’re talking anywhere within a business (or domestic) set-up where and when water is stored – or re-circulated – within the framework of an existing system lay-out.
- We’re also referring to anywhere where the water temperatures in some – or all –parts of the system fluctuated between the 20 – 45 °C range and/or where sources/traces of nutrients cohabit with the water.
- Think along the lines of rust, sludge, scale and any other organic matter or debris, as all can impact the formulation of legionella given opportunity.
- Any systems within a company’s property where contaminated water droplets are allowed to be produced have the wherewithal to perpetuate the unseen distribution of legionella bacteria; courtesy in the main of showers
So, on finding out that a business’ recent legionella risk assessment has come back denoting a high risk possibility, what do I do next?
As part and parcel of our professional scope, we will instigate a litany of physical measures to determine that your water system is in rude health and operating as it should.
These may well cover such areas as ;
- Replacement of thermostatic mixing valves
- Insulation fitments on storage vessels and pipework
- Chlorination and disinfection of storage vessels and/or existing water systems
- Re-configuration of cold water storage tanks
- Proposed installation of cold water storage WRAS-approved lids, rodent screens and lid vents
- Provision of legionella awareness and/or in-house task training
Timescales for acting on legionella risk assessment findings
Timing is vital should your legionella risk assessment score result in cause for concern, and understandably the faster you react to the findings the better chance of nipping the problem in the bud. And when bearing in mind, worst case scenario an underlying bacterial issue could, potentially pose a threat to public health, businesses are legally bound to provide solutions and resolve the problem before it become as even greater one. So the sooner you make contact with us to discuss your needs and begin to roll out plans of alternative action, the better all round.
For more information and advice please contact us
Info@legionellaandfiresafe.co.uk
Tel: 0800 080 3045
