Legionella is a risk within the workplace that is often overlooked but it can have serious consequences if the risk becomes uncontrolled.

A Legionella risk assessment must be carried out at your business or domestic premises along with a 2 year review – dependant on risk/ and or changes to the site.

High risk sites are ones with cooling towers as opposed to the lower risk sites who just use their water for domestic use or office use.

A strong management system should be in place to manage Legionella risk.

So what is legionnaires disease?

Legionnaires disease is derived from a bacteria found in water and can be caught by inhaling droplets of water from things like showers or air conditioning units. You tend to find more cases of legionella in purpose-built water systems due to temperatures in the water being maintained at a high level, therefore encouraging bacteria growth. The risk is much lower in natural systems such as rivers and ponds as the bacteria cannot grow as well.

So, in temperatures of 20-45C bacteria will multiply and grow. In temperatures below 20C the bacteria will remain dormant, in anything over 60C the bacteria will not survive.

The summer holidays are fast approaching so if you are off abroad on a nice summer break with family or friends, it is recommended to just run the shower first to flush out any bacteria when you arrive at your destination, and also when you get back home!

Common symptoms of Legionnaires disease include:

High temperature and flu like symptoms
Cough
Muscle pains
Headache

If you need any support or further guidance regarding Legionella, or if you’re unsure whether your site has a risk assessment please do get in touch.

For more information, visit

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=legionnaires-1&utm_content=silica-3-jul-23