Legionella

HSE audit checklist: Control of legionella bacteria in water systems

These checklists are designed to help the 'responsible person' audit the arrangements in place to control legionella in the water systems in your premises. This is a check on your knowledge of the system. It also checks the knowledge of those who play a role in controlling the risks from the system, for example water treatment contractors. There would be no value in asking a third party to complete this audit. As the responsible person, you should have been appointed because you have ‘sufficient authority, competence and knowledge’ of the systems in your workplace.1

The checklists are not risk assessments. They have been prepared on the basis that you have already identified a risk system(s) in your workplace and that you need to put in place (or review) measures to prevent or control the risks from exposure to legionella bacteria. However, the first checklist addresses a number of issues relating to the risk assessment, so you can audit the assessment process itself.

HSE guidance: HSG274 Part 2 - The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems

This guidance is for dutyholders, which includes employers, those in control of premises and those with health and safety responsibilities for others, to help them comply with their legal duties. These include identifying and assessing sources of risk, preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk, implementing, managing and monitoring precautions, keeping records of precautions and appointing a manager responsible for others.

The guidance gives practical advice on the legal requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 concerning the risk from exposure to Legionella and guidance on compliance with the relevant parts of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

HSE guidance: HSG274 Part 3 - The control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems

This guidance is for dutyholders to help them comply with their legal duties. Dutyholders include employers, those in control of premises, and those with health and safety responsibilities for others. Their duties include identifying and assessing the source of risk; preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk; implementing, managing and monitoring precautions; keeping records of precautions; and appointing a manager responsible for others.

This guidance gives practical advice on the legal requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) concerning the risk from exposure to legionella, and guidance on compliance with the relevant parts of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

HSE ACoP and guidance: L8 - The control of legionella bacteria in water systems

This book is aimed at dutyholders, including employers, those in control of premises and those with health and safety responsibilities for others, to help them comply with their legal duties in relation to legionella. These include identifying and assessing sources of risk, preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk, implementing, managing and monitoring precautions, keeping records of precautions and appointing a manager to be responsible for others.

This fourth edition of the ACOP and guidance on regulations contains revisions to simplify and clarify the text. The main changes are removing Part 2, the technical guidance, which is published separately as HSG274 at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg274.htm, and giving the following issues ACOP status:

  • Risk assessment;
  • The specific role of an appointed competent person, known as the ‘responsible person’;
  • The control scheme;
  • Review of control measures;
  • Duties and responsibilities of those involved in the supply of water systems.

HSE leaflet: Legionnaires’ disease - A brief guide for dutyholders

This leaflet is aimed at employers and people in control of premises, eg landlords, where man-made water systems are used that could be a potential source for legionella bacteria growth. It will help you to understand the health risks associated with legionella. Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems1 provides further details about how to manage and control the risks in your system.

Legionellosis is the collective name given to the pneumonia-like illness caused by legionella bacteria. This includes the most serious legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection.