In the UK the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consider Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease) to be a preventable disease through the application of good water safety management practices. These water management practices are clearly set out in the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice ACOP L8 and their Health & Safety Guidance HSG 274 documents, both of which deal with the control of Legionell
If you are a duty holder or the appointed responsible person dealing with the control of Legionnaires’ disease in the workplace, and in particular risk assessments for the control of Legionella bacteria, you need to be aware of the British Standard BS 8580. This document is an important code of practice titled ‘Water Quality – Risk Assessments for Legionella Control’ and deals with many of
Combating legionella and pseudomonas is a crucial part of managing, operating and maintaining any water system. Since hot and cold water systems are used extensively throughout hospitals, clinical surgeries and other healthcare facilities, it is a good idea to make use of all the help and information you can get if you have responsibility for dealing with the challenges such engineered water syste
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium that is shaped like a rod and is commonly found in the environment around us. There are various strains of bacteria under the pseudomonas classification. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is typically more common than the other strains and it can cause infections in plants and animals, including humans.
Legionnaires’ disease can be traced back to 1976, to a convention of the American Legion (a veterans association similar to the British Legion) in Philadelphia in America. While the reason for the convention was supposed to be a celebration of the 200th anniversary of America’s position as an independent nation, it would be remembered for entirely different reasons.
The use of spa pools and hot tubs is growing rapidly as their popularity increases both in commercial and domestic environments. However, it’s important to remember that poorly managed spas can create significant risks to the health and safety of those people using and operating them.
Before the notorious outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Philadelphia, USA in 1976, which ultimately led to the discovery of the legionella bacterium, no one knew what caused the illness that led to the severe pneumonia-like infection that can cause death in the worst-case scenario.
In this post we look at the use of expert witnesses in cases involving man-made water systems, Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease. Expert witnesses aren’t used in all court cases, but they can be extremely useful in cases where an additional level of expert knowledge is required. In some instances, the evidence they give can help laypeople involved understand the facts of the case i
No doubt you’ve heard of court cases where someone has been presented as an expert witness, for example during a coroner’s inquest, a complex prosecution, a civil claim or perhaps an appeal. So what is an expert witness… well the clue is in the name: The person is considered to be an expert in a specific field of interest or topic like the control of legionella and Legionnaires’ disease. H
Legionella Control International is pleased to announce the latest line-up of Legionella training courses for 2017 to be held across the UK and Ireland. The courses cover Legionella Awareness, Regulatory Compliance & Control, the Role of the Responsible Person and Legionella Refresher training.