Buildings will need to take a number of steps to ensure their water supply is safe before re-opening their doors.
Recent guidance from The Health and Safety Executive has warned business owners and employers that they must ensure the safety of their water when businesses reopen following the COVID-19 national lockdown. This is because water that has been sitting dormant could have suffered from bacterial growth, such as Legionnaires’ bacteria, particularly during periods of warm weather, which could pose a threat to public health.
What is Legionnaires Disease?
Legionnaires Disease is a form of pneumonia caused by any type of Legionella bacteria. Symptoms of the disease include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are also possible.
The disease is especially worrying considering the current global pandemic. The types of people more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those people likely to suffer serious complications from a Covid-19 infection.
How does Legionnaires’ disease spread?
One of the most common ways that Legionnaires’ disease is contracted is through inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air that contain Legionella bacteria. This is more likely to happen if a water system is not maintained and bacteria is allowed to grow.
How can you prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease?
To prevent the spread of the disease it is important to keep hot and cold water systems clean. It is also necessary to adhere to the correct temperatures. Hot water should be above 50 °C and cold water should ideally be below 20 °C.
Additionally it is recommended to flush unused taps in the building on a weekly basis. The Legionnaires’ disease Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) recommends that all rarely-used, or disused hot and cold outlets like taps, showers and toilets, should be opened and left to run through for five-minutes to flush the whole water system.
General information and advice is available from the health and safety executive at hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-you-must-do.htm.
What is the risk of non-compliance?
It is the responsibility of business owners and employers to carry out risk assessments of water supplies under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Directors who fail to control a Legionella risk can be prosecuted across a range of health and safety regulations and the fine varies according to the regulations and the prosecuting court. The Crown courts can impose unlimited fines and up to two years’ imprisonment, while the magistrates’ courts can impose up to £20 000 fines and Scottish Sheriff Courts can impose up to 12 months’ imprisonment.
If your business is prosecuted under a health and safety Act it can also result in company directors being disqualified. Finally, if death occurs through failure to control a risk, offenders can face unlimited fines in the region of millions of pounds and even charges of corporate manslaughter and/or imprisonment.
What can Voltix Services do for you?
Our team at Voltix Services is made up of specialists able to offer comprehensive advice, perform a range of water hygiene and maintenance services, and offer water sampling and testing services at your facility.
With our trusted service you can be assured of compliance and the ability to control any Legionella risk. Not only does this protect you from the heavy liability attached to a breach of health and safety regulations, but it frees up personnel and resources. Contact Voltix Services today to discuss your requirements and for invaluable peace of mind attached to your compliance.For more information on how Voltix Services can assist with expert advice and efficient service while you prepare your building for a safe return to work why not read our blog post here.