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LEGIONELLA AWARENESS COURSE

LEGIONELLA AWARENESS COURSE. COURSE OBJECTIVES. To enable you to be aware of issues associated with Legionella within the UoP & be able to assist in the delivery of the Management Plan. . LEGIONELLOSIS. Legionella = water-borne bacteria Naturally widespread in the environment

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LEGIONELLA AWARENESS COURSE

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  1. LEGIONELLA AWARENESS COURSE

  2. COURSE OBJECTIVES To enable you to be aware of issues associated with Legionella within the UoP & be able to assist in the delivery of the Management Plan.

  3. LEGIONELLOSIS • Legionella = water-borne bacteria • Naturally widespread in the environment • Over 50 different species identified • 20 known to cause disease in man • Legionella pneumophila • Legionnaire’s Disease • Pontiac Fever / Lochgoilhead Fever

  4. Legionella sp. under UV illumination Legionella pneumophila

  5. LEGIONELLA • Temperature range 20 - 50°C • Proliferates at 37 °C • Requires nutrients • Slow moving / stagnant water • Poorly managed water system = perfect environment

  6. SYMPTOMS • Head & muscle ache • Tightness in chest • Dry cough • Sickness & diarrhoea • Confusion / delirium • Coma • Death

  7. ‘AT RISK’ GROUPS

  8. CHAIN OF EVENTS Bacteria present in water system Slow moving / stagnant water Adequate food source Temperature range 20-50°C Aerosol formed People present

  9. RISK AREAS • Hot & Cold Water Systems • Cooling Towers & Air Conditioning • Storage Cisterns • Calorifiers • Deadlegs • Showers • Spa pools • LEV’s/ Fume Cupboards

  10. Showers Operate at desired temps Poor hygiene Infrequently used Prone to scaling Create aerosol

  11. Showers

  12. Any Questions ?

  13. Hot and cold water systems Cause the most cases

  14. Cold Water Storage Tanks

  15. Dirty Tanks = clean & disinfection

  16. Types of Water Heaters

  17. Legionella Control Regulation & Legislation

  18. Legislation • Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSAWA) • Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) • The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers 1992 • The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems Approved Code of Practice & Guidance 2001 ACoP L8 • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

  19. Approved Code of Practice • Identification and assessment of risk • Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk • Implement, manage and monitor precautions • Keep records • Appoint a person to be managerially responsible

  20. Risk Assessment & Control Measures Why does it matter ? The HSE views Legionnaires’ Disease as preventable • To satisfy regulation and legislation • To show due diligence • To protect employees and public

  21. When Should It Be Repeated? • At least every 2 years or when NO longer valid e.g. • Changes to the use of the building. • Availability of new information. • Control measures are no longer effective. • Case of LD associated with system. • Changes to the system or its use.

  22. Typical Written Scheme: H & C Water Systems Checks • Monthly – temperature checks • Quarterly - shower cleaning • Six monthly - CWS Tank temperatures • Annually - CWS Tank inspections, calorifier checks • Other systems as required • Weekly - flushing little used outlets

  23. Management & Training • Inadequate management, lack of training and poor communication have all been identified as contributory factors in outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease. • Those who are appointed to carry out control measures and strategies should be suitably informed, instructed, properly trained and their competency assessed.

  24. Appropriate Records • Responsible persons • Significant findings of the risk assessment • Written scheme of actions and control measures • Results of any monitoring, inspection, test or check carried out

  25. Typical Log Book Records • Training records • Lines of communication • Current state of operation • Signature of person that did the work • Plans or schematic drawings • Visit log for engineers/contractors

  26. Schematics Example

  27. Why keep Records? • To demonstrate compliance with the law • Show what control measures are being taken • Monitor water temperatures, system cleanliness, bacteria levels (if appropriate) • Show trend analysis learn more about the systems • Review performance • Provide evidence of reducing the risk

  28. Any Questions ?

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