Do you have responsibility for the control of a particular building or facility, either as a manager, an employer, property owner or a landlord? If you do then the UK’s Health & Safety Executive will often refer to you as the duty holder, and you may well have a legal duty to identify and manage any risks that are associated with Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease at that facility.
Diagnostic Testing for Legionnaires’ Disease
/in Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerIf an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever is suspected, it is of paramount importance to obtain a definitive diagnosis in all those who may have fallen ill. To do this there are a number of preferred tests that are used to assist in the identification and diagnosis and these include the urinary antigen test, but also obtaining cultures, usually from the patients mucus to determine
Legionnaires Disease: Person-to-Person Transmission
/in International, Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerAccording to the UK’s NHS, Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from one person to another. Instead, it is caused by inhaling droplets of water that have been contaminated with Legionella bacteria. However, a recent case identified in Portugal bucks that trend
Legionnaires’ Disease Guide for Dutyholders
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerDo you have responsibility for the control of a particular building or facility, either as a manager, an employer, property owner or a landlord? If you do then the UK’s Health & Safety Executive will often refer to you as the duty holder, and you may well have a legal duty to identify and manage any risks that are associated with Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease at that facility.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa – What are the Dangers?
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerThe chances are you may not be familiar with pseudomonas. This is a bacterium that falls into the gammaproteobacteria class. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that is capable of causing disease in humans – particularly those that may potentially occur in hospitals. These are commonly-known as hospital-acquired infections or, more properly, nosocomial infection
Controlling Legionnaires Disease in Water Systems Part II
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerIn part one of this article about controlling Legionnaires’ disease in water systems, we looked at the importance of Legionella risk assessments, water safety risk management and the prevention and control of risks in relation to Legionnaires’ disease. There are three further areas you must be aware of if you are responsible for a water system of any kind, either as a landlord or an employer.
Controlling Legionnaires Disease in Water Systems Part I
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerLegionella is a form of bacteria that is capable of causing Legionnaire’s disease, a rare but potentially fatal lung infection. While employers should be aware of their responsibilities and the actions required to control Legionnaires’ disease, they are not the only people who may need to be concerned with this subject. The control of Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease in the work place fa
Legionella & Landlords Responsibilities – Part Two
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerIn part one of this article, we explored the need to perform a Legionella risk assessment if you are a residential or buy to let landlord. Here, we will delve into whether you are the best person to perform the legionella risk assessments, and anything else that may be required of you to control the risks associated with Legionnaires’ disease and ultimately comply with the law.
Legionella & Landlords Responsibilities – Part 1
/in Compliance, Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerLandlords have a duty to make sure anyone renting and staying in their property is safe from any potential hazards that could pose a threat to their health and safety. This applies to all landlords who rent out properties to individuals, and also to those who rent out rooms in hostels and manage housing associations, for example. This article considers the risks posed by legionella and Legionnaire
Rapid Legionella Testing Kit for Closer Control
/in Guidance, Legionella /by Stuart DoonerLegionella testing is essential in all kinds of situations where the bacteria may be present. However, testing a water sample is only the beginning. The sooner you find out whether Legionella bacteria is present in your water systems, the sooner you can take appropriate action to deal with it if it is.
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae Affects UK Hospitals
/in Legionella, News /by Stuart DoonerThe news has carried several reports of drug-resistant bacteria in the past year or so. This was brought into sharp focus last year when four patients at a UK hospital, the Manchester Royal Infirmary were discovered to have the superbug known as carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae, known for short as CPE.