Legionellosis is collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria. Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia. The disease kills around 7-12 per cent of those infected. Everyone is susceptible to infection.
On average 200-250 new cases reported every year in England & Wales. Researchers estimate there is actually between 4000-6000 cases annually. Nearly half of all cases are contracted abroad. The illness is treated with an antibiotic called erythromycin or a similar antibiotic.
Legionella Pneumophilia is found naturally in some lakes, ponds and rivers and in purpose built systems such as:
Cooling towers
Hot/cold water systems
Spa pools
Evaporator condensers
Legionella bacteria grow in water when the temperature is between 20- 45 degrees C. The human body is the ideal temperature for growth.
Symptoms
Flu like: fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, breathlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, confusion.Incubation can be 2-19 days however usually 6-7 days.
Vulnerable groups
Over 45’s
Heavy smokers
Alcoholics/Drug addicts
Low immune systems
Chronic illnesses such as cancer, kidney complaints, respiratory illness
Applicable regulation and guidance:
Health & Safety at work act 1974
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
ACOP: Legionnaires disease-the control of legionella bacteria in water L8
What the regulation says:
Employers must:
identify and assess sources of risk,
preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk,
implement, manage and monitoring precautions,
keeping records of precautions and
appointing a manager to be responsible for others.
All systems require a risk assessment, however not all systems will require elaborate control measures. A simple risk assessment showing that the risks are low and being properly managed should be enough to comply with the law.
Examples of low-risk sites are:
in a small building without individuals especially ‘at risk’ from legionella bacteria
where daily water usage is inevitable and sufficient to turn over the entire system
where cold water is directly from a wholesome mains supply (no stored water tanks)
where hot water is fed from instantaneous heaters or low volume water heaters (supplying outlets at 50 °C)
where the only outlets are toilets and wash hand basins (no showers).
Be aware: There is also a legal requirement for employers to report cases of Legionnaires' disease, which may have been acquired at their premises, to the HSE for investigation.
Recent prosecution news
Amey Community Limited has been fined £600,000 after pleading guilty to a health and safety offence after an inmate died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease while serving a prison sentence at HMP Lincoln.
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