Anthony HoareHead of Surveying, Swiftclean

• BSc (Hons) Applied Geography

• Joined Swiftclean as Head of Surveying in 2006

• Runs a team of 9 Compliance Risk Assessors across the UK

• Has trained thousands of FMs since 2006

• Over 250 FMs from BHS (Arcadia Group)

Anthony HoareSwiftclean , Head of Surveying

Legionella L8 updates

Water quality

• Wholesome water is an essential requirement for quality of life

• UK Water Quality is considered one of the best in the world

• Supply into a building is the responsibility of the local Water Authority

Legionella – A brief History

• Initial outbreak in 1976

• Bacteria causes a serious pneumonia

• Fatal in 12% of cases

• 250 cases each year in the UK

Domestic Water Systems

History of UK Legionella Guidance

• HSG 70 1993

• ACOP L8 2000

• ACOP L8 2013 (HSG 274)

• Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2001

• Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Importance of Management

• Requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as well as the COSHH Regulations 2002

• Health and Safety Offenses Act

• Active management may highlight other potential issues

ACOP L8 2013 - Legionnaires’ diseaseThe control of legionella bacteria in water systems

The ACOP and Guidance are now separate documents

The ACOP focuses on requirements of Risk Assessment, Responsibility and Management

HSG 274

Three separate documents:

• Part 1: Guidance on Evaporative Cooling

• Part 2: Guidance on Domestic water systems

• Part 3: Guidance on other risk systems

Main Changes

Clarification on responsibilities:

• Statutory Duty Holder

• Appointed Responsible Person

• Deputy Responsible Person

• The Importance of competence

Competence

• Essential for any Health and Safety Task

• Legionella Control Association

• Water Management Society Training

• Knowledge, Training, Ability and resources

Changes to Domestic Water System Management• No appointed time frame for risk assessment

review

• A risk assessment should be reviewed when there are changes made to the system and/or when there are changes to the management team

• Specific guidance for monitoring of specific water system assets

Requirements of Landlords

• “Organisations, or self-employed individuals, who provide residential accommodation or who are responsible for the water system(s) in their premises, are responsible for ensuring that the risk of exposure to legionella in those premises is properly controlled.”

Case Study – ASRA Housing Group

• Over 70 properties

• Ranging from 28 storey apartment blocks to managed bungalow/houses

• Many occupants are considered high risk

Case Study – ASRA Housing Group

• Swiftclean have managed the ASRA contract for 8 years

• No legionella outbreaks in this time

• Successfully re-bid and re-won the 2013 tender process for a 5 year extension

Case Study – ASRA Housing Group

• Risk Assessment Review every 2 years

• Monthly Temperature Checks

• Quarterly Shower cleaning

• 6 Monthly Tank Inspections

• Annual Calorifier/Hot water cylinder Inspections

Case Study – ASRA Housing Group

• Difficulties with Management:− Access− Safeguarding susceptible persons

• Interpreting the guidance for tenanted buildings− Where does the responsibility lie?

Summary

• Legionella is a waterborne bacteria present in Mains water

• UK Guidance clearly outlines the need for an effective management structure of competent persons

• A risk assessment is essential as a starting point

• On-going planned preventative maintenance will ensure good future water quality

Legionella Control Association

• The LCA was founded in 1999 by the British Association of Chemical Specialities (BACS) and the Water Management Society (WMSoc)

• It is a voluntary, independent, not for profit organisation managed by a committee drawn from BACS, WMSoc, industry experts and health authorities

Legionella Control Association

• Each company registered with the LCA has a statement of compliance which consists of 9 service provider commitments to ensure appropriate internal systems for legionella control

• One of these commitments is to provide annual reviews with clients to ensure effective legionella management control is in place

Legionella Control Association

• Swiftclean successfully re-registered in August 2014 with no changes required to our statement of compliance

Legionella Control Association

• Annual review document