A Complete Guide to Legionella Risk Management

Every year, people are infected with Legionnaires disease. As such, healthcare organizations are evaluating what safeguards to put in place to minimize the risk of this disease. The disease can manifest in any facility which has cooling towers, domestic water systems, fountains, hot tubs, and pools. These facilities must ensure legionella risk assessment.

Legionnaires disease is caused by the LP (Legionella Pneumophila) bacteria that occurs naturally and in most water systems. This bacterium grows and thrives in stagnant water at temperatures between 25-degrees Celsius and 42-degrees Celsius but can also multiply in temperatures ranging from 20-degrees Celsius to 50-degrees Celsius.

The infection is typically acquired by inhaling mist or steam from contaminated water from sources like stagnant piping, cooling towers, fountains, and faucets which are not disinfected and cleaned properly. Persons with lower immunity, lung disease, or a history of smoking have more risks to contract this disease. The infection is very treatable and is not often fatal.

Managing, communicating, and training

Insufficient training, inadequate management, and poor communication have been identified as contributory factors to the outbreak of Legionnaires disease. Hence the organization or facility must ensure the following:

They must appoint a responsible person with adequate competence, knowledge, and authority for legionella management. They must create a Written Scheme of Control that carries all details like responsibilities and roles of management, training, communication pathways, and control processes of water risk systems.

Training courses for Legionella management professionals is key. Training must include not only the needs of various guidance and legislations but also offer a practical approach.

Facilities must have access to expert safety & health advice. If competence, level, and subject are not available in-house, managers must try to employ specialist advisors to contribute to total safety & health management. Such expert advisors must establish their knowledge and competency.

It is based on findings of risk assessment that will define and underpin the written scheme of control needed to manage the risk of legionella. It is absolutely necessary to have a suitable and sufficient assessment of risk for developing a written control scheme that is effective. So, one must select the provider of risk assessment with care.

A well-composed Written Scheme of Control is a guide to successful water safety management. This must include aspects ranging from the definition of objective and scope to contingency procedures and preparation of the report.

The final step to successful management is an audit. A regular audit can offer assurance that issues are under control and identify opportunities for improvement.

Following is the step-by-step process of managing Legionella risk:

This is the first step of identification and risk assessment for the infection. It is mandatory by law for landlords to assess the risk of exposure to legionella in their properties. Risk assessment for legionella should be carried out by competent persons like external consultancies who have  training and experience.

After the risk of legionella in the property has been noted and assessed, one must start the process of managing the risk. It is mandated that the facility manager must appoint a responsible person for taking on the daily responsibility to control the LP Bacteria and Legionnaires disease. This includes implementing suggestions from risk assessment, choosing contractors for maintaining the system, and arranging routine monitoring.

The good news is that legionella can be prevented from causing harm. The best mode is to reduce the quantum of stored water. The risk of contamination can be avoided by getting rid of the conditions which permit Legionella bacteria to grow and proliferate.

Where it is not possible to prevent risk, it must be controlled adequately. One main way to do this is by controlling temperature. The bacteria cannot survive in temperatures less than 20 degrees Celsius and more than 60-degree Celsuis. Other strategies of control include lowering the releasing of a spray of water, keeping the system and water clean, and ensuring the prevention of stagnation of water.

When a completed risk assessment has taken place, one must maintain records. This is so that there is evidence of actions taken to reduce or eliminate the risk. It is advised to maintain a ‘Water Log Book’ for the building. It is an easy way to record water temperatures and other checks to prove that Legionella risks are addressed effectively.

All facilities such as domestic, industrial, or healthcare facilties can lower their Legionella risk by following the above recommendations of an legionella risk assessment and also by complying with local laws and regulations. Regularly monitoring and documenting the conditions in the facility must become standard procedures along with corrective action whenever required. Proper design and management of the water system will ensure the well-being and health of all inhabitants of the building.

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