In the UK health and safety regulations cover a wide array of buildings, work situations, not-for-profit organisations and other businesses. However, some residential landlords may not realise they too are required to adhere to some of this legislation. This is because the regulator, the Health and Safety Executive in this instance considers them to be operating a business when they let their prop
US regulators are increasingly spotlighting the risks posed by legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease following several high profile outbreaks there. As a result, many US based businesses will need to create a dedicated water management program to control the risks from legionella within their buildings in order to protect their workers and others from harm.
Landlords have many responsibilities when letting residential and commercial properties to tenants. While it would be nice to think every property would be continually let, there are likely to be void periods where a property will stand empty between tenants, sometimes for several weeks or longer. There could also be properties whereby some water outlets are rarely used – these are often called “l
Many public areas, gardens and even large indoor communal spaces contain decorative water fountains and other ornamental water features. These range from the small and simple ones to large and impressive displays. The same water features can also be found inside, and in the grounds of hotels, business premises, schools and universities, and other commercial locations. While such water features bri
If you work in the USA and have responsibility for a building or other facility that uses water, this recently updated water management standard will help you work out whether that building should have a water management program in place.
The 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.
A 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
Under 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
Here 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.
Within 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.