In this article the legionella and water safety experts at Legionella Control International look at what to do when legionella is discovered in a hospital or healthcare setting. It looks at the role of Public Health England, Health Protection Teams and the hospital Water Safety Group and considers the key responsibilities. It looks at when the Health Protection Team needs to be notified of any leg
Even though we often speak of Legionella bacteria as one species, there are in fact dozens of variations. Some 58 species of the bacteria have thus far been identified, many of which can cause disease and illness in humans. Only by taking water samples to test, then isolate any Legionella bacteria in them can we work out which member of the family we are faced with.
In this review the healthcare experts at Legionella Control International take a detailed look at the Department of Health’s HTM 04-01 and how it can guide those responsible for the delivery and management of water supplies and provision of safe water in hospitals and healthcare premises.
In this review the experts at Legionella Control International look at how water temperatures influence legionella growth and how this information can be used to control the risks from the bacteria.
While there are more than 50 different recognised Legionella species, less than half of those can cause illness in humans. However, while around 20 species are known to be harmful to us, just one has been identified as the cause of most outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. Learn more …
One could be forgiven for becoming overwhelmed at the number of tasks required to control the levels of Legionella bacteria in a water system. However, there are some essential steps that should make it easier to ensure you cover all the salient points when assessing and controlling legionella risks in your own water systems.
Ice machines and chilled water dispensers are becoming increasingly popular both at home and in the workplace where they are used for a variety of purposes. At first glance, the freezing water temperatures used to create ice would suggest that opportunities for bacterial growth would be very limited and so the risks to people using them insignificant. However, this may not always be the case …
Pulp and paper mills incorporate many processes that use water as part of their operation and this can increase the risks associated with Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease. Here we review guidance issued by PABIAC, supported by the Health & Safety Executive, dealing with the control of Legionella and other bioaerosols in paper mill water systems.
In the UK every business operating a water system must, by law, assess the risks and then put in to place and maintain suitable safety measures to protect their employees and others from the potential risks caused by legionella and Legionnaires’ disease.
No doubt you have heard the term duty holder before. But what does it mean when it’s associated with the control of legionella at your business? Not knowing the answer could leave you exposed to health and safety issues, potential prosecution… it could even jeopardise lives.