December 2013 Health and Safety Legal Update:


Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems New Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8:

The main changes are the following now have ACOP status, in the new revision 4 of the ACOP: 

  • risk assessment
  • the specific role of an appointed competent person, known as the "responsible person"
  • the control scheme and what it should include
  • review of control measures
  • duties and responsibilities of those involved in the supply of water systems
ACOPs are said to have a semi or Quasi legal status. If an incident did occur and the ACOP wasn't followed then you would have to prove what you were/ are doing is equally as effective at controlling the health and safety risk.

Goto the HSE website to download the new ACOP as a PDF file for free.

Wallett HSE Services are experienced at providing competent advice on complying with the legislation in relation to Legionella. What is important to remember is that Legionaries Disease outbreaks are relatively rare but have a high fatality rate when they do occur, so hence a high severity. 

Here is a summary of the issues:

  • Legionella Bacteria can naturally exist in clean drinking water at very low levels. 
  • If the water is stored at 20-45 Degrees Celsius this is the ideal temperature for Legionella Multiplication.
  • Avoiding of the temperatures which can allow Legionella Growth.
  • If these temperatures can not be avoided other control methods must be employed of killing the bacteria such as use of dis-infectants or biocides.
  • Keeping water to below 20 Celsius will prevent Legionella from multiplying.
  • New systems should usually be disinfected before they are used for the first time.
  • Generation of water droplets increases the risk of inhalation of the droplets, deep into the lungs.
  • Keeping water above 45 Celsius will prevent Legionella from multiplying.
  • Increasing the temperature to 60 Celsius or above kills most of the bacteria.
  • Buildings used by people with compromised immune system (e.g. hospital/ residential homes) increases the risk of an outbreak.
  • Stagnant storage tanks, un-used sections of water systems and dead legs, can encourage the growth of bacteria in the stagnant areas.
  • Dead legs should be removed or avoided.
  • Un-used areas should be decommissioned (if long term) or flushed regularly (if short term.)
  • Regularly testing of temperatures, biocide levels and testing for Legionella Bacteria, should be completed and records maintained of these tests.
  • If sludge, lime scale, algae, biofilm or other nutritional sources which could build up these should be regularly removed.

New ACOP and Health and Safety Guidance  on Workplace Welfare:

This revised and updated version takes account of changes to legislation since the previous edition was published, including:

  • Quarries Miscellaneous Health and Safety Provisions Regulations 1995
  • Quarries Regulations 1999
  • Work at Height Regulations 2005
  • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
  • Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l24.htm

Nothing much has changed in these publications, this just requires similar standards across all work places, including temporary workplaces such as construction sites. The standards mentioned within it are already a requirement within various related ACOPs and HSGs. 

A minimum of 16 Celsius in an inside workplace unless strenuous activity takes place then this is lowered to 13 Celsius. No maximum temperature is mentioned still but provision should be made for keeping cool in the workplace during very hot conditions, such as providing fans or increased ventilation. 

Placing thermometers around the workplace can help to demonstrate to workers that the temperature is adequate but in large open office environments it is very likely that some people will be too hot, some too cold and some will be just right.

 

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