Call Now!
Call Now!
As a business owner, it is important to be aware of the dangers of legionella bacteria. This deadly bacteria can cause serious illness and even death, so you must take steps to protect your employees and customers from exposure. I have found a frequently asked question stated as who can carry out a legionella risk assessment so its my pleasure to elaborate this topic.
Legionella risk assessment process evaluates the potential risks associated with legionella bacteria and helps you implement measures to protect your business. So, who can carry out a legionella risk assessment?
A legionella risk assessment is a process of evaluating the potential risks associated with legionella bacteria. This includes identifying any sources of legionella bacteria on your premises, assessing the risk level, and putting measures to control the risks in place. Legionella risk assessments must be carried out by qualified individuals with experience in this area.
Carry out a legionella risk assessment is an important way of protecting your business from the dangers of legionella bacteria. This deadly bacteria can cause serious illness and even death, so you must take steps to control its risks. A legionella risk assessment will help you identify any potential sources of legionella bacteria on your premises and implement measures to control the risks.
You’ll ensure that a legionella risk assessment is completed, but you don’t have to carry out the assessment yourself.
You might also conclude that you are not suited to complete the evaluation on your own, in which case you should seek assistance and advice from external parties, such as consultants.
For example, if you are a landlord of a domestic rental property, you may feel confident in performing your own legionella risk assessment. Because water usage and turnover are typically regular in residential dwellings, it is generally assumed that the legionella risks from hot and cold-water systems are quite low.
In most cases, landlords can judge the risk for themselves without extra training or certification. If you don’t feel qualified to do the assessment or don’t want to, you can always hire someone else to do it.
So, as an employer or someone in control of the premises, you may choose yourself for this function, one or more of your workers, someone from outside your organization, or a combination of these. However, even if you decide to hire an external professional such as a contractor, you should be confident that they will be able to deliver before they begin working and meet your standards.
No, legionella risk assessments are not mandatory by the Law of United Kingdom. However, they are strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to protect your business from the dangers of legionella bacteria. This deadly bacteria can cause serious illness and even death, so you must take steps to control its risks. A legionella risk assessment will help you identify any potential sources of legionella bacteria on your premises and implement measures to control the risks.
There is no set period for conducting legionella risk assessment UK. However, it is generally recommended that you carry out an assessment whenever changes to your premises or water system could increase the risk of legionella bacteria growth. This might include changes to the layout of your premises, alterations to your water system, or the introduction of new water sources. You should also regularly review your legionella risk assessment to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective.
According to HSE ACoP L8, The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems, the evaluation should be revisited every two years, and if there is a reason to believe that it is out of date, for example:
The cost of legionella risk assessments can vary depending on the size and complexity of your premises. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between £200 and £1000 for a legionella risk assessment in the UK.
If you have a large or complex premise, you may need to hire multiple assessors to get an accurate picture of the legionella risks on your property. You should also factor in the cost of any legionella testing that may need to be carried out as part of the assessment process. This can cost between £50 and £200 per sample, depending on the type of test being carried out.
There is no such thing as a legionella risk assessment certificate. However, you should receive a report from your assessor detailing the assessment findings and any recommendations for controlling legionella risks on your premises. This report can be used as evidence that you have taken steps to control legionella bacteria if the HSE or other authorities ever inspect you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several factors to consider when deciding who should carry out your legionella risk assessment. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your judgment and the specific needs of your premises. If you are unsure about anything, it is always best to seek professional advice from a legionella consultant or other expert.
Remember, legionella bacteria can cause serious illness and even death, so it is vital that you take steps to control the risks it poses. A legionella risk assessment will help you identify any potential sources of legionella bacteria on your premises and implement measures to control the risks. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fire Safety Risk Assessment if you would like more information about legionella risk assessments or control measures.
Philip Walker once saw a close relative suffer due to Legionnaires Disease, and realized the dangers it posed because it made its way into the human body through something as common as a glass of drinking water. He completed his Legionella Risk Assessment training recently and has been professionally assessing households to search & destroy any traces of Legionella bacteria that resides in most water sources.
Trusted Fire Risk Assessment specialists serving Birmingham, Manchester, West Midlands, Warrington, and across the UK. FSRA provides fully compliant Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos Surveys, and Legionella Risk Assessments to help businesses and landlords protect people, property, and meet legal obligations.