Prioritise Health and Safety by Reducing Legionella Risks
In the busy settings of educational institutions, maintaining health and safety standards is essential. Amid this, the role of water safety, particularly in relation to Legionella control, often emerges as a pivotal concern.
Guardian Hygiene Services stands at the forefront of this challenge, offering expert services to effectively monitor and control Legionella in water systems, thereby safeguarding the health of students, staff, and visitors.
Understanding your Institution’s Health and Safety Requirements
Legionella risk assessments form a crucial part of Health and safety regulations in educational institutions. Accordingly, schools and universities need to adhere to various requirements:
- Regular Legionella risk assessments
Conducting comprehensive risk assessments of water systems is a regulatory requirement. This involves checking for potential Legionella hazards in all water systems, including cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, showers, faucets, and even decorative fountains.
- Implementation of control measures
Following the risk assessment, a control scheme needs to be developed and implemented. This includes measures such as preventing stagnation, managing temperatures to inhibit Legionella growth, disinfecting systems, and regular testing for the bacteria.
- Maintenance of water systems
Regular maintenance and cleaning of water systems are essential. This can include maintaining hot water above 60°C, cold water below 20°C, annual disinfection of water tanks, quarterly inspections of showerheads, and more frequent testing if a risk is identified.
- Record-keeping
Proper documentation and record-keeping are critical. Records should include risk assessment findings, control measures implemented, maintenance logs, inspection reports, and testing results. These records must be accurate and up-to-date to demonstrate compliance.
- Regular reviews
Risk assessments should be reviewed and updated every two years or when significant changes are made to the water systems. If an outbreak is suspected, authorities must be notified promptly.
Failure to adhere to these regulations can lead to legal repercussions, damage to reputation, and, most importantly, risk to the health of those using the facilities. It is the institution’s responsibility to ensure these guidelines are followed to maintain a safe environment.
Why External Support is Needed for Legionella Control
Controlling Legionella bacteria in complex water systems is not a simple task. It requires regular testing, efficient maintenance, and thorough risk assessments.
Mismanagement of Legionella can result in severe health issues, including Legionnaire’s disease, a form of pneumonia that can be fatal in some instances. This necessitates the involvement of a specialised entity, proficient in managing Legionella risks.
How Guardian Hygiene Services Enhances Health and Safety
Guardian Hygiene Services is committed to enhancing the safety and wellbeing within educational institutions. Our primary approach involves offering comprehensive services that control and monitor Legionella, including rigorous Legionella risk assessments. These in-depth assessments, along with our stringent testing and maintenance procedures, form a proactive strategy aimed at drastically diminishing the threat of illnesses linked to Legionella.
Our Rigorous Legionella Risk Assessments
A Legionella risk assessment involves a detailed evaluation of your past assessments and existing records to determine whether previously suggested measures to safeguard against Legionella have been implemented effectively.
The specifics of a Legionella risk assessment can vary greatly depending on the nature of the water system and the environment it operates in. The typical components of a Guardian Hygiene Services Legionella risk assessment include:
- Preliminary Inspection: A comprehensive examination of the water system and environment to identify potential risks.
- Risk Area Identification and Sampling: Highlighting areas of risk and collecting samples for Legionella water testing.
- Evaluation of Control Measures: Assessing the effectiveness of current Legionella control strategies in place.
- Review of Monitoring and Maintenance Programmes: Analysing existing programmes that handle the regular upkeep and monitoring of water systems.
- Suggestions for Control and Prevention: Providing expert recommendations to improve and reinforce Legionella control and prevention strategies.
Secure Your Institution’s Health and Safety with Guardian
Guardian Hygiene Services is a reliable and accredited provider of Legionella risk assessments in the UK. Our expert team are committed to helping educational institutions secure the safety and well-being of their students, staff, and visitors. We prioritise staying updated on the most current regulations, such as ACOP L8 and HSG274, assuring your institution maintains fully compliant.
Contact us today to learn more about our risk assessment services and how we can help secure your institution against Legionella. Speak to our specialist advisors or fill out an enquiry form to take the first step towards prioritising the health and safety of your institution.
Get in touch
Guardian Hygiene Services Ltd
Unit 11, Lincoln Enterprise Park, Newark Road, Lincoln, LN5 9FP.
01522 705 511 | 01522 688 180
01522 705 566
