Legionnaires’ disease – The hidden killer in water systems

1. Legionnaires’ disease – The hidden killer in water systems Managing the Risk presented by Karl Collingwood Wednesday 26 February 2014

2. Course Content Types of water systems affected and problem areas of systems Role of water management companies Competency and training Your site - small to medium businesses

3. Introduction • My Objectives • Explain enough for you to understand the general risk on your sites • Encourage you to take legionella control seriously • Assist you to reach the required standard = risk minimised to protect you and your position

4. Types of water system affected • Process water – industrial, manufacturing • Cooling towers – foundries, refrigeration • Domestic - for kitchens and bathrooms – have stored cold water, stored hot water or direct fed • Leisure – spa pools • Spray formation – showers, spray taps, garden sprinklers, pressure washers, misting systems

5. Cooling towers Cooling towers Cooling towers

6. Cooling Tower is a high risk system

7. Cold Water Storage Tanks

8. CWST inside – dirty, a glass of water to drink?

9. Dodgy hot water systems

10. Grubby shower heads

11. Scale and biofilm on tap heads

12. Spa pools, hot tubs, whirlpool baths

13. Role of water management companies • Carry out Legionella Risk Assessments • Produce (written) scheme of control • Produce technical (schematic) drawings • Give advice on compliance, risk reduction • Audit whole programme – especially records • Provide training • Supply water treatment chemicals • ONLY SITE TAKES LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

14. Competency - provider • There are no required qualifications • ‘Qualifications’ are 99% attendance courses with a badge and simple assessment • Beware firms & people with no proper history in the industry – avoid slick marketing, cheap quotes • Ask for evidence of competency, CV, probing questions, put them under pressure • Ask for training record of individual from legionella control (water management) firm

15. Competency & Training client • You and your staff • Training – seek good quality, purposeful – what are course objectives? who is teaching? • Providers - contact testimonials authors – ensure genuine • 3 months after training review staff competency • Check Legionella Control Association website • www.legionellacontrol.org.uk

16. Small and Medium sized businesses • Water system design, installation, operation – outdated, oversized, incorrectly used • Lack of knowledge – no idea tanks in lofts, where is the hot water cylinder? • Temperature set at 37°C – ideal for legionella • Other problems – corroding tanks, overflow pipes disconnected, tanks fed outlet used for drinking • Attitude – there is no problem, not doing it !

17. How are problems solved? • Change attitudes by education & information • It is a legal requirement – to protect everyone • It is low cost – compared to not doing it • Understand it is all about prevention • Advice on system design, installation, operation • Training for site staff – legionella awareness • Have a programme, LRA & annual review • Think of it as an insurance policy

18. To do list ! • Water management companies should provide services as agreed to required standards. • Act in best interests of clients • Businesses should • Choose a supplier carefully • Listen to their providers advice • Action the recommendations • Keep on top of legionella control e.g. annual review

19. Recap • Legionella Control is about sensibly managing the risk from water systems • Water management companies help clients comply with the laws thereby protecting your business, staff, customers & general public • Business owners should accept their legal responsibilities, implement a programme and manage on an ongoing basis