While emphasis, these days, is on the control of Legionella bacteria and the prevention of Legionnaires disease, a comprehensive water hygiene program should help in the struggle against all water borne and other invasive pathogens e.g. Pseudomonas sps., Guardia, MRSA, Cryptosporidium etc.

Legionella Control
There have recently been a number of high profile cases of Legionnaires disease in Ireland and, rightly, it has become a major health and safety issue. All employers have a statutory obligation, under Dail Eireann Statutory Instruments, to protect their employees, customers and the general public from water borne biological hazards including Legionella pneumophilla.

LMEntech have the knowledge and experience to ensure that our clients comply with legislation and, perhaps most importantly, operate safe, well managed water systems. We provide complete risk assessments, comprehensive water hygiene programmes, safe treatment systems and effective information management.

LMEntech will provide peace of mind that the risks are understood and minimised and that safe working practices are put in place, adhered to and documented.

LMEntech's range of micro-biocides will ensure that businesses comply with legislation and our water hygiene management programs will eliminate biofilm and maintain safe, efficient and cost effective water systems.

The UK Government document L8 gives guidance on the prevention of Legionnaires Disease and the control of the causative agent - the bacterium Legionella pneumophilla. This document is widely quoted in Irish based literature regarding water hygiene and the control of biological hazards emanating from water and water systems.

The guidance includes -

• identifying risk areas
• regularly checking that conditions will not encourage the proliferation of Legionella bacteria
• maintaining records of when and where checks, e.g. temperature, water analysis etc, and procedures were carried out on the system in question
• carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment, maintaining a written copy and reviewing the document regularly
• nominating a person to be specifically responsible for Legionella compliance

Below is a brief checklist to help confirm that you have met your duty of care

• Have you undertaken a risk assessment of all site water systems?
• Do you keep a written copy?
• Have you acted on any recommendations/instructions within the risk assessment?
• Have you reviewed the risk assessment in the last two years [or subsequent to any addition(s)/change of use to the water system(s)]?
• Can you demonstrate that you follow, in as far as it is reasonably practical to do so, the ACoP L8?
• Can you remember the last time you undertook an inspection of your hot and cold water systems? Did you keep records of this?
• Are records of sampling, bacterial analysis, temperature checks, tank/cistern inspections, cleans & disinfections and certificates stored in a Logbook?
• Do you chemically or thermally sanitise your water systems?
• Do you employ a contractor who specialises in water hygiene/Legionella control?
• Do you have up to date schematic drawings of all site water systems at your premises?

If you have any queries or feel that you might benefit from a consultants visit please contact us