Legionella Awareness Training

Legionella is a collective term that refers to the group of diseases caused by the Legionella bacteria in humans. The most serious of these diseases is a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease, but there are less-dangerous diseases such as Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever to consider too. Legionella risk increases with age and health, and for people that smoke or drink heavily, but in reality everyone is susceptible to this potentially fatal bacteria.

The most-common sources of Legionella are in water systems that store or re-circulate water, but there are many work-place based items such as humidifiers, drinking water dispensers – even ornamental water features – that require Legionella risk assessments. Employers have a duty of care to understand and manage legionella risks and must comply with health and safety regulations when it comes to this matter.

The UK HSE have categorically stated that a lack of training, sub-standard communication and poor management are contributing factors in outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease.

It follows, therefore, that those responsible for Legionella risk assessment and implementing a risk management policy for Legionella should be suitably trained in Legionella control measures themselves.

Employers have a duty of care to understand and manage Legionella risks and must comply with health and safety regulations when it comes to this matter.