Water Hygiene Management and Monitoring

If your assessment has shown that there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to legionella bacteria, there needs to be a written scheme in place to control that risk.

A Legionella written scheme of control is a comprehensive risk management document, identifying the necessary measures needed to control the risks from exposure to Legionella bacteria. 

The written scheme is separate from the legionella risk assessment and is a legal requirement identified by the Health & Safety Executive in their Approved Code of Practice and guidance ACOP L8:2013 (fourth edition) “Legionnaires’ disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems”.

The written scheme must include an up-to-date plan of the system, instructions for the operation of the system, precautions to be taken to control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria and details of the checks that are to be carried out (and their frequency) to ensure that the scheme is effective.

Temperature is the easiest and cheapest method of controlling the bacteria and temperature profiling is still, in most cases, the chosen method of control. Temperature is a proven form of control; however, it does come with its own issues, normally with storing the hot water at 60ׄ°C and distributing at >50°C.

If the risk assessment shows that there is a reasonably foreseeable risk and it is reasonably practicable to prevent exposure or control the risk from exposure, the duty holder should appoint a competent person or persons to help undertake the measures needed to comply with the requirements in COSHH. The appointed competent person or persons should have sufficient authority, competence and knowledge of the installation to ensure that all operational procedures are carried out in a timely and effective manner.

Legionella Risk Assessment: The first step to meeting Legionella compliance is to undertake a full Legionella risk assessment. This risk assessment will identify any potential risk from Legionella that derives from your water system. 

Legionella Remedial Works:  Your next step is once the risk assessment has been carried out, and the risks have been identified, they must be removed or at the very least – managed in order to go forward with the project. This would be classed as carrying out Legionella remedial works. 

Legionella Monitoring: You must control and manage the ongoing risk of Legionella exposure to your employees and visitors from your water system by carrying out consistent Legionella monitoring to ensure that your water system continues to be safe.