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Temperature Instrumentation

Legionella Risks When Reopening Your Business

Legionella Risks When Reopening Your Business

You may be an employer who due to recent circumstances had to close down your business for a long period of time. With your premises being unused, there may be a risk that your water supply contains legionella bacteria. Self-employed workers, employers and anyone in control of premises have a legal duty to protect people, by identifying and controlling any risks of legionella bacteria.

What exactly is Legionnaires' Disease?

Firstly, Legionnaires’ disease is a form of fatal pneumonia caused by various types of Legionella bacteria. It's contracted via breathing in mist or droplets from water containing the bacteria.

How Can it be Controlled or Prevented?

The storage of water in your facility is critical in preventing legionella bacteria from growing.

Furthermore, there are a few key factors to have correct when storing water.

    •  Store hot water above 60 °C
    •  Distribute hot water above 50 °C
    •  Store cold water below 20 °C

Why is there such a risk after reopening?

Water system stagnation occurs due to a lack of usage, and increases the risks of Legionnaires' disease. Legionella bacterium is discovered, mostly in stagnant water, additionally, incorrect water temperature is a key factor in its growth.

What Must You Do?

HSE state as an employer, or person in control of premises, you are responsible for health and safety. Thus, meaning you must take the right precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to legionella. You must identify and source risks, prevent or control any risks and maintain records.

As recommended by HSE, businesses with water systems that have been temporarily out of use, should thoroughly flush, clean and disinfect their system before returning to use. Legionella bacteria mutiplies when temperatures are between 20-45°C and there are nutrients available for it to grow.

To test for legionella bacteria, Frontline Safety recommend the Legionnaires' Thermometer Kit by ETI Ltd. It's supplied with a Therma 1, Thermometer, penetration probe, immersion probe, wire probe and accessories.

This is an easy to use solution, simply plug in the required probe and start measuring. The selection of probes allows for water, tanks/pipes and hard to reach areas to be measured.

For the top 5 things about the ETI Legionnaires' Kit visit here.
Buy now at www.frontline-safety.co.uk and receive free U.K. delivery.