Legionnaires Disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria which is caught when infected droplets of water are inhaled. While the disease cannot be spread from person to person everyone is susceptible to being infected with death occurring in about 15% of all cases.

Legionella bacteria are common in natural water courses such a rivers and ponds but are only dangerous when certain conditions are in place including the temperature of the water and the presence of scale, sludge and rust etc.

The Legionella bacteria are present throughout the world and many people contract it while on holiday abroad. Common places where outbreaks of the disease can arise include hotels, swimming pools, places of work with cooling towers or other places where a person can encounter spray water e.g. showers.

At this time there is no cure for persons who contract Legionnaires Disease and so the only effective way in which it can be controlled is by being aware of the risk and seeking to control it.

Under Health and Safety Laws and Regulations employers have a range of duties in respect of Legionnaires disease. These include the taking of reasonable precautions to prevent persons from exposure to Legionnaires Disease and controlling the conditions in which the bacteria can thrive. These precautions include completion of an assessment of risk, identification of a cleaning or maintenance regime as well as the maintenance of records and training of staff. In some cases the taking of water samples for analysis may be required.

At Safety and Management Solutions Limited we offer a cost effective service in the control of Legionella Disease and are able to assist employers in meeting their responsibilities. Not only will be able to complete an assessment on your behalf but we will also devise lasting management plan to enable you to control any risk that may be present.