Legionella Risk Assessment
A Legionella risk assessment checks water systems for bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease. It helps find risks, assess dangers, and put safety measures in place. Regular testing keeps water clean, prevents health issues, and ensures legal compliance.
Why is a Legionella Risk Assessment Important?
Protect Your Business with a Legionella Risk Assessment
Legionella bacteria grow in water systems like cooling towers, water tanks, showers, spa pools, and air conditioning units. If people breathe in tiny water droplets with Legionella, they can develop Legionnaires' disease, a serious lung infection.
UK laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, require businesses, landlords, and property owners to manage Legionella risks. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and HSE's Approved Code of Practice (L8) also provide legal guidance. Businesses must carry out annual risk assessments to ensure water systems remain safe.
Without regular checks, Legionella bacteria can multiply in stagnant or dirty water, increasing the risk of outbreaks. Property owners and managers must take action to protect people from harm.
Legionnaires' disease is preventable with proper monitoring and maintenance. A risk assessment helps businesses follow UK health and safety laws while keeping employees, customers, and residents safe.
How to Keep Water Safe
Preventing Legionella
To prevent Legionella growth, businesses should:
- Flush Unused Outlets: Regularly run taps and showers to clear stagnant water.
- Monitor Water Temperature: Keep cold water below 20°C and hot water above 50°C.
- Clean & Disinfect Systems: Regularly remove dirt, limescale, and bacteria build-up.
- Reduce Water Storage Time: Prevent water from sitting unused for long periods.
- Use Legionella Filters: Install filters in high-risk areas to remove bacteria.
- Maintain Records: Keep logs of inspections, cleaning schedules, and risk assessments.
- Use Chemical Treatments: Introduce safe disinfectants to kill bacteria.
- Install Remote Water Monitoring: Use technology to track temperature changes and water movement.
Legionella Risk Assessment UK Services
Who Needs a Legionella Risk Assessment?
Legionella assessments are essential for any business or building with a water system. This includes:
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, GP surgeries, and dental clinics.
- Care Homes & Residential Buildings: Landlords and housing associations.
- Hotels, Gyms & Spas: Any business with showers, pools, or water features.
- Office Buildings & Commercial Properties: Places with water storage or complex pipework.
- Factories & Industrial Sites: Locations using cooling towers and water systems.
- Schools & Universities: Large buildings with shared water systems.
- Public Buildings: Libraries, community centers, and government offices.
- Food Processing Facilities: Factories where clean water is essential for production.
- Sports Facilities & Stadiums: Places with changing rooms, showers, and large water supplies.
What Does a Legionella Risk Assessment Cover?
Our Legionella risk assessment UK services look at all areas where Legionella might grow, including:
Water System Inspection
Checking storage tanks, pipes, and cooling towers for contamination.
Temperature Monitoring
Making sure water stays below 20°C or above 50°C to stop bacteria growth.
Stagnant Water Checks
Identifying areas where water sits still, increasing the risk of bacteria.
Water Testing & Sampling
Taking water samples to test for Legionella bacteria.
System Cleaning & Maintenance
Removing sediment, biofilm, and scaling that help bacteria grow.
Training & Maintenance
Teaching staff how to prevent Legionella growth and maintain water hygiene.
Plumbing & Pipework Review
Checking the design of water systems to remove unnecessary risks.
Risk Rating
Identifying high-risk areas and providing control measures.
Water Flow Monitoring
Ensuring proper water movement to prevent stagnation.
Benefits
Benefits of a Legionella Risk Assessment
- Legal Compliance:Follow UK health and safety laws and avoid penalties.
- Better Health & Safety:Protect employees, customers, and residents from Legionnaires' disease.
- Early Risk Detection:Spot and fix problems before they become a health hazard.
- Efficient Water Management:Keep water clean and flowing properly.
- Protect Business Reputation:Show customers and employees that safety is a priority.
- Cost Savings:Prevent expensive emergency repairs and legal claims.
- Readiness for Inspections:Ensure compliance with safety inspections.
- Staff Awareness:Teach employees about water safety and risk prevention.
- Long-Term Health Protection:Ensure clean, safe water for years to come.
- Smoother Business Operations:Avoid disruptions caused by Legionella outbreaks.
The HSRA - The Experts in Legionella Risk Assessments
How Often Should a Legionella Risk Assessment Be Done?
A legionella risk assessment should be reviewed:
- Annually, as required by HSE guidelines.
- When water systems are changed, updated, or expanded.
- After a Legionella outbreak or detection.
- If building use changes, affecting water flow and temperature control.
- After prolonged shutdowns, such as during building closures.
- If previous risk controls were ineffective or outdated
Stay Compliant - Book Your Legionella Risk Assessment Today!
Protect your business and ensure water safety. Contact The HSRA today for a Legionella risk assessment UK and keep your premises safe and legally compliant.
How We Work
The Legionella Risk Assessment Process
We make the process simple and stress-free:
Site Inspection & Survey
Our team visits the site to inspect water systems and identify potential risks.
Water Testing & Risk Analysis
We collect water samples and assess conditions that could lead to Legionella growth.
Compliance & Recommendations
We review results against HSE and COSHH regulations and suggest necessary improvements.
Implementation & Maintenance
We help businesses put safety measures in place and maintain water hygiene.
Ongoing Monitoring & Support
We provide follow-ups, staff training, and regular system checks to ensure long-term safety.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
At The HSRA we are committed to providing an exceptional level of service to our domestic and commercial customers. Many of the frequently asked questions we receive have been answered here, but feel free to get in touch if you require further information.
Amber Mason
Mar 28, 2025
Refreshingly good service, thank you!!...
Lowenna Gabriel
Mar 27, 2025
...
Joanne White
Mar 27, 2025
...
Harry Rach
Mar 27, 2025
...