Legionella control: the caring approach

Residential care providers have a legal duty to maintain a clean, safe water system and to prevent an outbreak of Legionella. Legionella pneumophila and related types of bacteria cause the flu-like illness known as Legionnaires' disease, which may prove fatal to the elderly, to the immunosuppressed, to smokers, and to those with chronic health problems. Your duties under Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 Legionnaires' disease: the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems include having an up-to-date risk assessment and conducting regular testing to ensure there is no Legionella bacteria in the water system. You must have a named Responsible Person. If there is a change of personnel, and a new Responsible Person, this must, by law, be amended in the risk assessment.

If you do not have an up-to-date risk assessment, you will already be in breach of the regulations, so you must complete and document a risk assessment as a matter of urgency. This is something that you can do yourself, but if your premises have never had a clear risk assessment, or this is new territory for you, it would be sensible to call in the help of an expert.

It is perfectly possible, with careful planning, for an expert service provider to carry out a survey and testing, even remedial work, without greatly disturbing your residents, or compromising their safety. Once they have conducted a survey, they will also be able to provide a robust risk assessment for you, which you can use as evidence of your compliance with your legal duties.