6 July 2004 - Legionella Compliance: Companies Do Not Understand Obligations Fully
Severn
Trent Waters' statistics, taken from their web site on their
Legionella Health Check, show that three quarters of companies are unsure
whether or not they comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings)
Regulations 1999. They are also unsure whether or not they
meet with the standards outlined by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC)
in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8: Legionnaires' Disease:
Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems.
The legal requirements are outlined in the 1999 Regulations for water
fixtures and ensures drinking water supplies are not contaminated, nor are
wasted. The L8 guidelines are there to give methods of prevention for
outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease.
Severn Trent Waters' analysis of their web-site found that only 29% of
visitors to their site had the confidence to say they had followed the HSC's
Approved Code of Practice and Guidance in order to control Legionella.
This suggested to the water company that a majority of companies do not
understand just what their legal obligations are within this crucial area.
Severn Trent's Water statistics also show that risk assessments of water
supplies, conducted within businesses, was only 58% and temperature samples
with appropriate records held, who complied, were fewer than 25%.
It seems, according to the quick health check provided on the web site, that
companies are unsure of action which should be taken by them to ensure their
on-site water quality.
The website is designed to provide businesses with a quick health check of their on-site water supply and can be found here.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
