Making compliance simple for your business

FAQ: Becoming Legionella Compliant Across Different Sectors

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1. What does “Legionella compliance” mean?

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Legionella compliance means meeting all legal and practical requirements to control the risk of Legionella bacteriain water systems.

It involves:

• Conducting a Legionella risk assessment

• Implementing effective control measures

• Keeping accurate records

• Ensuring competent management and regular reviews

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Compliance demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to health, safety, and legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ACoP L8.

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2. Why is Legionella compliance important?

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Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal respiratory infection.
Failure to manage risks can lead to:

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• Serious health impacts for employees, residents, or visitors

• Legal prosecution and fines for the duty holder

• Reputational damage and possible business closure

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Being compliant protects people, property, and reputation.

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3. Who is legally responsible for Legionella control?

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The duty holder (usually the employer, landlord, or building owner/manager) is responsible.
They must:

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• Appoint a Responsible Person for managing Legionella risks

• Ensure competent assessments and control measures are in place

• Keep records of monitoring, maintenance, and reviews

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Even if services are contracted out, legal responsibility cannot be delegated.

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4. What are the key steps to becoming Legionella compliant?

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1. Conduct a Legionella risk assessment
   Identify sources of risk in your water system.

2. Develop a written control scheme
   Document how risks will be managed and by whom.

3. Implement control measures
   Maintain temperatures, clean outlets, prevent stagnation, etc.

4. Monitor and record
   Keep evidence of temperature checks, cleaning, and maintenance.

5. Train staff
   Ensure everyone involved understands their responsibilities.

6. Review regularly
   Update your risk assessment after system changes or every 2 years.

 

What sectors are most affected by Legionella compliance requirements?

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Legionella compliance applies to all workplaces and premises where water is stored, circulated, or used in a way that could produce aerosols.

However, some sectors face higher risks:

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Education (schools, universities, student housing)Infrequently used outlets, shared showers, holiday shutdownsRegular flushing, cleaning, descaling, temperature control

Healthcare (hospitals, clinics, care homes) Vulnerable occupants, complex hot/cold systems. Strict temperature control, enhanced monitoring, sterile outlets

Hospitality (hotels, gyms, spas)Showers, pools, cooling towers, decorative features. Regular testing, cleaning, and system checks.

Commercial (offices, factories) Cold-water storage, infrequently used taps. Regular flushing and inspection

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Residential landlords / housing associations Tenant turnover, low water use. Risk assessment and basic maintenance regime. Industrial sites, cooling towers, process water. HSG274 Part 1 and advanced treatment systems.

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5. How can an organisation prove compliance?

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To demonstrate compliance, you should have:

• A current Legionella risk assessment

• A written scheme of control

• Records of temperature checks, cleaning, and inspections

• Training certificates for staff and contractors

• Evidence of reviews and follow-up actions

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HSE or local authorities may inspect these documents during audits or investigations.

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7. How often should Legionella monitoring and assessments take place?

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• Risk assessments: every two years, or sooner if systems or use change

• Temperature checks: monthly

• Showerhead cleaning/descaling: every three months

• Tank inspections: every six months

• System disinfection: as required, especially after stagnation or contamination

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8. What training is required for Legionella compliance?

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Training should match your level of responsibility:

• Duty holders / Responsible persons: Legionella management awareness

• Maintenance staff: practical control, flushing, temperature monitoring

• Contractors: specialist training for sampling, system disinfection, and testing

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Accredited training (e.g., City & Guilds, LCA) is recommended to ensure competence.

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9. What are common causes of non-compliance?

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• No or outdated risk assessment

• Poor temperature control

• Lack of flushing at rarely used outlets

• Incomplete or missing records

• Untrained staff managing water systems

• Neglecting reviews after system modifications

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10. What are the penalties for non-compliance?

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Failure to comply with Legionella regulations can lead to:

• Prosecution under health and safety law

• Unlimited fines and custodial sentences for serious breaches

• Civil liability if illness occurs due to negligence

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Example: Companies have been fined £100,000+ and individuals imprisoned after fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks linked to poor management.

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11. How can different sectors stay compliant cost-effectively?

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• Bundle services: Combine Legionella checks with general maintenance visits.

• Use digital logbooks: Simplify record-keeping and monitoring.

• Train in-house staff: Reduces long-term costs.

• Schedule work smartly: Conduct assessments during low-occupancy periods.

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12. Summary - Becoming and staying Legionella compliant means:

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• Knowing your legal duties

• Conducting and updating risk assessments

• Maintaining and monitoring your water systems

• Keeping records and training staff

• Following sector-specific best practices

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Compliance protects health, reputation, and legal standing.