Legionella risk assessments for commercial properties and places of work
Legionella risk assessments are a legal requirement for commercial properties. If you're an employer or are responsible for a commercial property, then arranging Legionella risk assessments is your responsibility. But did you know that a Legionella risk assessment is more than just a piece of paper?
A Legionella risk assessment is the starting point for Legionella compliance and needs to be updated at least every two years. Legionella risk assessments identify any risks from Legionella and how to manage them.
We can help make Legionella compliance easy to understand.
We have over 10 years of experience in Legionella compliance and our customers rate us 10/10. Let us help you with your next Legionella risk assessment.
Legionella Risk Assessment in Commercial Properties
Commercial properties and Legionella compliance
As a person responsible for commercial property, you must demonstrate an understanding of managing the risks from Legionella. This includes preventing and monitoring risk.
The management of Legionella risks is covered by
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Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
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The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR)
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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
The Approved Code of Practice: Legionnaires' disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8) contains practical guidance on how to manage and control the risks in your system. But many people opt to work with an expert.
Legionella compliance for commercial properties starts with a Legionella risk assessment. The Legionella risk assessment for a commercial property highlights any action needed to keep people safe.
Working with a Legionella compliance expert helps you do compliance properly. We know Legionella compliance inside out.
Legionella risk assessments - a commercial case study
Having a Legionella risk assessment does not automatically mean you're compliant.
If you ignore suggested actions from your Legionella risk assessment then you're putting people at risk and it's likely to cost you more money in the long-run.
We recently helped a company become fully compliant. But sadly they learnt the hard way.
A Legionella risk assessment is not just a piece of paper.
Legionella risk assessments are an in-depth survey of your water system(s) - the starting point for water hygiene compliance.
Commercial properties and Legionella risk assessments leading to compliance
Any water system is at risk of developing Legionella bacteria. Legionella risk assessments in commercial properties look at risk areas such as
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Where water is stored or re-circulated
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Water temperatures
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Cleanliness of the water system and the presence of rust, sludge, scale and organic matters
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Other conditions likely to encourage bacteria
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Sources of water droplets where bacteria cause the highest to human health
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Other risks such as empty areas of a building and rarely used parts of a water system
Read more about Legionella risk assessments.
After we've conducted a Legionella risk assessment for your commercial property, we can help you stay compliant. We can help you:
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Manage any risks
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Prevent or control any risks
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Keep and maintain the correct records
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Carry out any other duties you may have
What to do with a Legionella risk assessment?
Legionella risk assessments for commercial properties might suggest specific actions. These actions keep you compliant and minimise the risks of Legionella. Legionella risk assessment actions may suggestions such as:
Staff Legionella awareness training
Temperature monitoring
Keeping records
Regular flushing low-used taps
Cleaning and descaling
Removing redundant pipework
Water testing
Legionella risk management should be ongoing to remain compliant. Not sure what you need to stay compliant?
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Commercial properties Legionella compliance FAQs
Is it really possible to catch Legionnaires disease in an office or other work environment?
Yes. There have been cases in the news where employees have contracted Legionnaires disease and businesses have been found to be non-compliant when it comes to Legionella. In some cases, commercial property owners aren’t aware of the requirements for Legionella risk assessments. This doesn't mean they avoid facing fines. You can catch Legionnaires disease anywhere there is water. The role of a Legionella risk assessment is to see how likely that is and reduce any risk to health.
Are Legionella risk assessments expensive?
There are a number of things that impact the price. The size and complexity of the water system and how much a business will charge. We like to work with local companies to provide the best value for money. We offer Legionella risk assessments in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and the surrounding areas. See the website footer for more locations. Or ask us for a quote.
If a Legionella risk assessment seems too cheap, then always question what you’re getting. Legionella risk assessments are not an off-the-shelf product and must be carried out correctly to stay compliant. If the assessor doesn’t have enough experience in water safety and hygiene, then they may not be able to help you effectively reduce the risk from Legionella.
How long does a Legionella risk assessment take?
A Legionella risk assessment will take anywhere from hours to days. It will depend on the size and complexity of the water system in the commercial property. The best way to know how long your Legionella risk assessment will take is to get a quote.
Are property managers responsible for health and safety?
If you use a property or facilities management company, then you need to check your agreement with them. In some cases a management company may take care of Legionella risk assessments, but that's not always the case. If it isn’t clear who is responsible for arranging Legionella risk assessments, then legal duty will fall to the person with ultimate control of the building.
Do I have to close my business during a Legionella risk assessment
No, not at all. We will minimise any disruption to your usual business activities. We will need access to your water system but tell us about your business and we can discuss how we can work around you.