Legionnaires' disease can occur as sporadic cases, or in clusters, and is commonly linked to large domestic water systems in hotels, factories and hospitals.

Under the COSHH regulations 1988 risk assessments and the adoption of appropriate precautions are required. The approved code of practice (ACOP), ²The Prevention or Control of Legionellosis (including Legionnaires' disease)², sets out further statutory requirements for dealing with the risk.

The ACOP places responsibilities on employers and others to:

• Identify and assess risk sources.
• Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk.
• Implement and manage precautions.
• Keep records of precautions implemented.

Once the risk has been identified and assessed, a scheme should be prepared to prevent or control it. Precautionary measures and treatments, monitoring results and remedial work should be recorded and sufficient information included to show what measures have been taken and how they have been monitored.

Testing of water quality is an essential part of the treatment regime and can include testing of both the recirculating and make up water in order to ensure the absence of legionella organisms as well as assessing the general microbiological water quality.

Precision Analysis can carry out legionella risk assessments and also perform the appropriate analysis including Legionella sp, Total Viable Counts, Coliforms, E.coli and Sulphite Reducing Clostridia. The latter four tests will indicate the water quality and can be used to determine potabilty.

Other Environmental Analysis and Consultancy Services :

• Exposure and Contact Plates
• Potable Water Supply
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Humidifier Fever
• Hygiene Audits

For further information on the full range of microbiological services, please contact Steve Mount on 0151 535 3334