Landlords, business owners, employers, and those in charge of premises, often referred to as the “duty holder” must choose one or more people to be responsible for handling risk assessments and other health and safety matters associated with the water systems found at their premises or workplace. This is to ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors and others is properly protected. Typ
Legionnaires’ Disease Testing – The Importance of Early Diagnosis
/in Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerThe importance of Legionnaires’ disease testing to aid early diagnosis cannot be stressed too highly, especially when a patient presents with symptoms that may suggest they have contracted this potentially life-threatening disease. The disease can present similarly to a severe cold or flu in its early stages.
Legionnaires Disease Regulations Failing UKs Ageing Population
/in Compliance, Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerA research team from the Brunel University London has revealed there is still a notable risk of Legionnaires’ disease being contracted by the older segment of the population. While current UK regulations and guidelines covering the control of legionella do well at covering the risks posed in health and social care settings such as hospitals and care homes for the elderly, they do not go far enou
Landlords Guide to Managing Legionnaires Disease in Rental Property
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerUnder UK law residential landlords have responsibilities to ensure their tenants are not at risk of exposure to legionella bacteria and infection from Legionnaires’ disease. In most cases, a residential landlord renting a small domestic property will need to conduct a legionella risk assessment and nothing more – it’s unlikely there will be a need to carry out water testing. This is because
CQC Compliance for Dentists & Dental Practices
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerHere we briefly examine some of the issues associated with regulatory and Care Quality Commission (CQC) compliance for dentists and dental practices, looking in particular at the need to carry out a legionella risk assessment to control the dangers from Legionnaires’ disease thay may come from water systems including dental waterlines and specialist equipment.
Hospital Water Safety Group Remit
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerWithin the UK’s NHS and other healthcare environments the Department of Health document HTM 04-01 sets out the need for the formation of a Water Safety Group (WSG). The document also defines the groups terms of reference including its role and responsibilities in relation to the delivery of safe water in healthcare premises.
Landlords Legionella Risk Assessment Responsibilities
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerLandlords, business owners, employers, and those in charge of premises, often referred to as the “duty holder” must choose one or more people to be responsible for handling risk assessments and other health and safety matters associated with the water systems found at their premises or workplace. This is to ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors and others is properly protected. Typ
Legionnaires’ Disease Hits Palmanova
/in International, Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerPublic Health England (PHE) is reporting on an increase in people who have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection, following their return from the town of Palmanova in Majorca, Spain. This popular holiday resort is located around 20 minutes away from the nearest airport, offering great beaches and many local attractions.
Controlling Legionella in Cooling Towers
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerFrom a legionella risk management perspective wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers (equipment that use water as part of the cooling process) are considered high risk for various reasons. They have the ability to create and distribute fine water sprays (called aerosols), they process water at elevated temperatures and are often exposed to the atmosphere meaning they can collect organic mat
Legionnaires Disease Link to Dubai Confirmed By ECDC
/in International, Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerA recent spate of cases concerning patients throughout the EU presenting with Legionnaires’ disease has led to a link between these cases and recent travel to Dubai, UAE. While the number of cases presenting is still very small, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has highlighted the link in a recent epidemiological update issued on their website.
Gardner Contracts Legionnaires Disease from Hose Pipe
/in Guidance, Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerA 63-year-old man who died from Legionnaires’ disease in February this year appears to have contracted it via his garden hosepipe. Stephen Clements began developing flu-like symptoms shortly after using the hosepipe in his garden. He had used the hosepipe earlier in the year, and hadn’t emptied the hose once he had finished using it. It appears the hose sat in the sun for a time, with water st