Legionella Risk Assessment

 The first step in any risk management process is production of a

professional risk assessment.
 This involves the engagement of an external water consultant to
produce a risk assessment.
 A Legionella Risk Assessment involves a trained engineer visiting a
premises and making an objective assessment of the water system’s
potential to be colonised by Legionella bacteria and the various
factors favourable for their continued growth

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Risk Assessment Process Involves

1. Temperature – Legionella require a range of between 20 – 50oC to multiply

2. Nutrients – much like any other living organism the bacteria need a source of
food. In a water system this takes the form of sludge, scale, rust and even other
bacteria

3. Aerosol Creation – an assessment of the type of water services present to

judge the likelihood of an aerosol being created.

4. Personnel – it is well known that males are 3 times more likely than females to
catch Legionniare’s disease and the elderly and immuno compromised are more
at risk.

5. Potential for Stagnation – stagnant water can provide an excellent breeding

ground for bacteria and often where slow moving water is found the temperature
is raised.
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In completion of a risk assessment all areas of the water system are inspected
including loft spaces and void areas however there is no disruption to the water
supply and this can usually be completed during usual hours.

Following the on site assessment, a report is produced together with remedial

recommendations and basic schematics drawings. In general premises fall into
one of two categories;

1.No reasonably foreseeable risk

2.Reasonably foreseeable risk

Where there is a foreseeable risk it is necessary to have some form of ongoing

Legionella Management.

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1. No reasonably foreseeable risk for exposure to Legionella. In this
instance a site will be deemed ‘low risk’ and no further measures /
assessment are necessary. This would usually only apply to systems without
any stored water i.e. cold water storage tanks and / or hot water cylinders.

2. Reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to Legionella. This is usually the

case where a cold water storage tank and / or hot water cylinder are present.
It is then necessary to take further steps to mitigate the ongoing risk.

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How often should I review my risk assessment?

A full re assessment should be completed every 2 years but in addition to this;

change to plant / water system or its use

change to use the of the building

new information about risks / control measures

tests indicate control measure are ineffective

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 Nemco Utilities Limited
Nemco Utilities Ltd E-Mail
12 Kempson Way info@nemco-utilities.co.uk
Hillside Business Park sales@nemco-utilities.co.uk
Bury St Edmunds
accounts@nemco-utilities.co.uk
Suffolk
IP32 7EA

Telephone: 01284 724503

Fax No.: 01284 724826

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