Legionella management in the hospitality industry Mrs A Ferrero Environmental Health Officer East Devon District Council

What is Legionella ? Legionella is the general name for a family of bacteria which can cause a severe pneumonia illness The bacteria grows in water systems and infects people who breath in fine droplets of water containing the bacteria 10 to 40% of the people infected will die from the infection

Legionella bacteria Legionella bacteria are very common in the environment They will get in to any water system They feed on the dirt, organic matter and old materials in water systems They multiply in water between 20 and 45 degrees centigrade

How widespread is the disease ? There are more than 300 confirmed cases a year, but true incidence is estimated to be 3500 – 5000 cases. Between 2000 and 2005 there have been 165 confirmed cases in the South West. 22 of these were fatal. 13 were shown to have come from spa pools or hot and cold water systems.

So how do you get it? 1.Stored water systems are likely to have the bacteria. 2.The bacteria can easily multiply if the water is warm and has a source of food. 3.If the water is turned in to droplets it will carry the bacteria with it. 4.If people breath in these droplets they can become infected and may suffer illness

What sort of systems in Hotels create a risk ? qHot and cold water systems qSpa pools qShowers qOrnamental water features / fountains qHumidifiers qHorticultural water systems

So what can we do? We cannot stop the bacteria getting in to water supplies We have to control its ability to grow and multiply We have to control the production of droplets in the air with the bacteria in

Hot and cold water systems Know your system (diagram) Protect it (cover tanks, screen overflow pipes) Keep it clean (clean tanks yearly) No dead legs Hot water at 60 degrees Cold water below 20 degrees Keep water moving

Spa pools Third most common cause of illness Warm water Create fine droplets where people breathe Very difficult to get to all the pipe-work to clean Bathers provide food for bacteria

Showers Water become stagnant when not used Creates large amounts of fine droplets Flush to drain weekly without creating spray (use plastic bag) Dismantle, clean and descale every three months

Ornamental water features If closed down for long periods can become stagnant Pipework can have variable materials and construction Internal features get dirty and warm so consider water treatment

Humidifiers Can include food displays, room humidifiers, nebulizers, laundry/plant sprayers Include on risk assessment If possible empty and thoroughly dry between use Keep reservoirs clean and treat water where possible

Horticultural watering systems If closed down for long periods can become stagnant Pipework can have variable materials and construction May use non drinking water supply Will create droplets

So what do I do? Appoint a responsible person, someone with managerial responsibility who knows about the risks Know your system – you may need competent help Assess risk to decide on control measures Train relevant staff to monitor and manage controls Write a procedure Review regularly

Sources of information Your local EHO HSE guidance Legionella Control Association Water Treatment Consultants

Legionella infection is foreseeable and preventable! Therefore you have a legal duty to do something to deal with the risk. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999