Legionella Risk Assessment Mike Rose

Legionella Risk Assessment Identification and evaluation of sources of potential risk Means by which exposure is to be prevented Means by which exposure is to be controlled Fundamental to the development of an effective management system Must be suitable and sufficient What constitutes suitable and sufficient?

Legionella Risk Assessment Legionnaires’ disease The control of legionella bacteria in water systems ACoP and Guidance (L8) –Very limited in detail relating to risk assessment content –No clear level of expectation for clients –Variability in risk assessment quality –Increased risk of Legionnaires’ disease Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease are often associated with inadequate risk assessment

BS 8580:2010 Code of Practice BS 8580:2010 Water quality - Risk Assessment for Legionella Control, Code of Practice Factors to be considered in the risk assessment –Contamination –Amplification –Transmission –Exposure –Host Susceptibility Preparations for risk assessment –Competence of risk assessor –Agreeing terms of reference –Independence.

BS 8580:2010 Code of Practice Desktop appraisal of documentation –Previous risk assessment –Current scheme of control –Maintenance and testing records –Action log –Management responsibilities Site visit/survey –Review of schematics –Visual inspection –Measurements –Sampling?

BS 8580:2010 Code of Practice Risk assessment reporting –Clear and concise –Formal document –Clear identification of hazard –Clear recommendations –Timescales Risk review

Key Points from BS 8580:2010 A clearly defined process for risk assessment Competency of the assessor Independence - Impartiality - Integrity

BS 8580:2010  Provides clear levels of expectation for: - Clients - Providers - Enforcement  Raise quality standards  Reduce incidences of Legionnaires’ disease  UKAS accreditation.

Management Scheme An appropriate management scheme will include: Responsibility list Parameters of the system to be maintained ie. temperatures, flow rates, biocide levels etc… Testing and inspection schedule Testing and inspection procedures Testing and inspection results Details of actions to take with out of specification results Training certification

Management System Auditing Don’t assume that the system is being followed Bulmers Cider outbreak 2003 (26 cases and 2 deaths) Responsible person Independent third party Areas of focus Completion of monitoring/inspection tasks Out of specification results Supporting certification eg. Legionella tests Verification of results by inspection

Summary Safe working environment Ensure water is fit for purpose Minimise downtime Avoid prosecution

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