Free Legionella Risk Assessment Template

What is legionella?

Legionella is a bacterium in water that can grow in temperatures between 20°C and 45°C containing suitable nutrients such as sludge, scale, rust, algae and other organic material. Typically, legionella thrives in water systems such as hot tubs, showers, taps, hot water tanks and fountains.

If legionella is not managed properly, this could lead to legionnaire’s disease, with symptoms similar to the flu, and in worst cases develops into pneumonia.

Infection occurs through the inhalation of water mist and vapour carrying the bacteria Legionella Pneumophilia. Legionella is usually only a health risk where man-made situations and processes create the ideal conditions for growth and spread of the bacteria.

The bacteria can also grow in the ‘dead ends’ or ‘dead legs’ of cold-water systems, in taps and showers that are not used or used infrequently and in cold water tanks in hot roof spaces. All these systems will create and spread microscopic droplets carrying the bacteria, providing a route of infection to a human host.

Many cases of legionella go undetected because the flu like symptoms do not develop into acute legionellosis and are not medically diagnosed.

What is a legionella risk assessment?

Whenever there is a potential source of legionella exposure, the first step towards suitable controls is the completion of a well-considered risk assessment. The only person who can carry out a legionella risk assessment needs to have the competence and qualifications.

If the assessor does not understand the potential legionella hazards and do not have experience of or competence for the system they are assessing, the assessment is unlikely to be suitable or sufficient. When appointing an assessor, you must always consider whether they have appropriate experience, knowledge and understanding of the issues.

A competent assessor must understand:

• How legionella grows in water systems.
• How to complete surveys, measurements and sampling.
• How to evaluate the controls in place.
• The corrective actions that will reduce or eliminate the risk
• The control measures required to keep the risks at an acceptable level.
• How to apply official guidance proportionate to risks present at the premises.

An assessment will need to include consideration of the water system and possible sources of contamination, measurements of water temperature and may require samples for legionella analysis.

On completion of the assessment, you should expect to receive a detailed written report on each of the items above along with a risk rating factor and the assessor’s recommendations for improvement to your controls systems. The assessment will allow the assessor or enable you to produce a written scheme for the control of Legion in your workplace.

Legionella risk assessment need to be reviewed on an annual basis. Download your legionella risk assessment template now and keep your employees and business safe.

Is it a legal requirement to out a legionella risk assessment?

A legionella risk assessment is mandatory, if the workplace has water systems such as showers, taps, pools, cooling towers and much more. Employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees while at work and to ensure that the health and safety of other people is not affected by their work activities.

They also have duties to prevent or reduce exposure to substances hazardous to health and to assess the risks to health from their use. Micro-organisms such as legionella are defined as substances hazardous to health which falls under Control of Substances Hazard to Health Regulations 2002.

What is a legionella risk assessment template?

A legionella risk assessment template can be used as a sample to identify and control potential risks of legionella in water systems. It also ensures the assessor can address potential risks such as ‘dead legs’ monitor water temperature and help record the necessary control measures and actions.

Our team of Health and Safety experts have put together a free legionella risk assessment for you to download. This template will act as a step-by-step guide in how to complete a legionella risk assessment and always keep your employees’ safe from injury.

Get your legionella risk assessment free download now.

Download your free legionella risk assessment template now

Most businesses will use water systems, and these water systems may carry hazards of their own. In order to control these hazards, a legionella risk assessment should be carried out.

A successful legionella risk assessment will control hazards in water systems and keep your employees safe. But you may not know where to start, that’s why our experts have put together a sample legionella risk assessment ready for you to download and use within your business.

If after downloading your free legionella risk assessment template you still need advice, we offer expert Health & Safety advice. And also provide services on risk assessment and safety training. Access your legionella risk assessment free download now and keep your business compliant.

Peninsula clients also get access to 24/7 HR consultation for workplace Health & Safety requirements. And if you are not yet a client, you can still enjoy free advice from one of our business experts. Simply call us on 0800 158 2313.