Legionella Risk Assessment: Employers' Responsibility

Does anybody else have to do anything about legionella?

Yes. Anyone who is involved in the supply of water systems and their components (eg designers, manufacturers, water treatment companies and suppliers) has to make sure that such equipment is designed and made in such a way that it is safe to use at work and that it can be easily cleaned and maintained. They should tell you what risks might be present and how you can operate and maintain the system safely. If you are using products or services, for example, for water treatment, the suppliers must make sure that these are effective at controlling legionella and that they can be used safely at work. They should also tell you if, while they are treating your system, they find any problems which could pose a significant risk of legionella exposure.

Do employers have any other duties?

Yes. If they have a cooling tower or evaporative condenser on site they must, under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992, notify the local authority in writing with details of where it is located. They must also tell them when/if such devices are no longer in use. Notification forms are available from local Environmental Health Department.

 

If an employer has a case of legionellosis in an employee who has worked on or come into contact with cooling towers or hot water systems that are likely to be contaminated with legionella, they have to report this under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

 

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