The Approved Code Of Practice L8 provides guidance as to the legal requirements for minimising the risk from legionnaires disease.

The document applies to:

• Business premises or work activity
• Where water is used or stored;
• Means of  creating and transmitting water droplets.

It is when these droplets are inhaled, a risk of exposure to legionella bacteria is created.

Whenever there is a foreseeable risk, a risk assessment is needed

Because we have over 20 years water hygiene experience, Pura-Clear understand the risk from legionella and other water borne pathogens to your business. Therefore we can provide you with a suitable and sufficient legionella risk assessment. This will assist you with meeting your legal obligations and keep your site safe and compliant.

The Duty Holder is responsible for ensuring the risk assessment is carried out.

Suitable and sufficient assessment means the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria is assessed, and any precautionary measures needed are highlighted.

We can provide you with a bespoke legionella risk assessment which complies with the BS8580 standard.

Should the assessment show that there is a reasonably foreseeable risk, and it is reasonably practicable to prevent exposure, the duty holder should appoint a ‘responsible person’.

The responsible person is a appointed  to implement the control measures to minimise the risk.

These control measures are usually in the form of a written scheme.

The written scheme is likely to  contain some of the following tasks, as prescribed in the guidance document HSG274 Part 2.

Weekly flushing of little used outlets. Because this prevents areas of stagnant water. This may be particularly critical when buildings may have lower usage due to Covid-19.

Monthly temperature monitoring  of stored hot water and sentinel outlets.  A critical task and  part of a successful legionella control programme. Because keeping your hot outlets hot and your cold outlets cold reduces legionella growth.

Quarterly shower cleans (as per HSG274 part 2) . Because  scale and biofilm, are food sources for legionella.

Annual inspection of hot water calorifiers. Because silt and scale can accumulate in the base. However if there is no hatch, purging to drain to remove debris, would be acceptable.

Annual inspection of tanks ensuring water is wholesome. Because lower usage than design, dirty water and poor storage temperatures can therefore lead to biofilm and legionella growth.

Similarly should the inspection be unsatisfactory, the tanks should be cleaned and disinfected as per PD855468.

Should there be reasons to believe the control programme may not be effective then microbiological  sampling may be necessary.

Legionella analysis should always be carried out at a UKAS accredited laboratory.

Pura- Clear can provide assistance with creating and carrying out the control measures in the written scheme.

• Monthly temperature checks.
• Providing an appropriate monthly check kit.
• Providing flushing on little used outlets.
• Quarterly shower clean and disinfections using our Pura-Clean SHD.
• Tank inspections
• Tank Cleans
• TMV servicing
• Calorifier blowdowns.