In the UK, anyone responsible for a water system in a building, including employers and landlords, has a legal duty to assess and manage the risks from Legionella bacteria.

This responsibility is primarily outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, with Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 and HSG274 providing further guidance. A Legionella risk assessment is a legal requirement to identify and mitigate potential hazards.

Do I need a Legionella risk assessment?

Legionella risk assessments are required by law.

They are a statutory requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 amongst others.

A Legionella risk assessment is a fundamental step in protecting your employees and the public from exposure to contracting Legionnaires' disease.

Legionella risk assessments should meet the requirements of the HSE’s ACoP L8.

BS8580-1:2019 is the latest British Standard relating to Legionella.

They should be reviewed periodically or following any significant changes.

"A suitable and sufficient assessment is required to identify and assess the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria from work activities and water systems on the premises and any necessary precautionary measures."
ACoP L8, paragraph23.

What does a Legionella risk assessment involve?

Our comprehensive and compliant Legionella risk assessments include identification and evaluation of all potential sources of risk associated with Legionella within your building’s water system.

A fully qualified and competent Legionella risk assessor visits your premises to perform a site survey.

This involves:

A detailed inspection of each room and area of the building.

Water temperatures taken across the site measured against acceptable ranges to create a temperature profile.

Identification and detailed inspection of all site assets.

Trace of all pipe work configurations and water sources where possible.

Identification, evaluation and prioritisation of all risks.

Control scheme or remedial recommendations against the identified risks.

Check of system materials to ensure compliance with the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS/BS6920)

Photography of all site assets and risk areas.

Following the site visit, the risk assessment is typed up and issued to you electronically.

This includes:

Overall risk rating - a quantitative way to measure risk and prioritise remedial works.

Executive summary - a summary of findings and recommendations for initial review.

Recommendations - a task-by-task summary of all recommendations bespoke to site.

Site and asset inspection reports - Asset registers and survey forms useful for management records.

Report photography - All findings clearly referenced against photographic record.

Site schematic - Simple to follow, detailed representations of the entire site; pinpointing all site assets on site.

Why choose Aegir Compliance for your Legionella risk assessment?

Strictly compliant:
Our Legionella risk assessments are designed in strict accordance with ACoP L8 and BS8580-1:2019 to keep you compliant.

Clear and concise reports:
Our reports are designed to exceed industry standards, and provide clear, practical and concise information to help you identify the key issues and actions to control the risk of Legionella.

Almost 30 years experience:
We have been within the water hygiene industry for over 28 years and have carried out thousands of Legionella risk assessments across the UK, along with quality checking and training of other risk assessors within the industry, so you can be reassured of our experience and competence.

Cost effective and bespoke:
We create bespoke quotes and reports for each customer and site, all written directly from the assessor, and not using any generic software, so you be confident in a quality independent risk assessment, which can be discussed fully with the assessor.

Complete the contact form to book your Legionella risk assessment today.

Aegir Compliance provides expert advice and services to manage and control the risks associated with water systems, particularly regarding Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. Helping to ensure water systems are safe, compliant with regulations, and efficiently managed, through offering of advise and solutions.

Identifying potential hazards and vulnerabilities in water systems related to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.

Providing solutions for controlling microbial growth, including disinfection and other treatment methods.

Ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and guidelines, such as those related to Legionella control.

Developing comprehensive plans for managing water safety in various settings.

Providing training to staff on water hygiene best practices and responsibilities.

These consultancy services will offer you;

Improved Safety: Reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses and other health hazards.

Regulatory Compliance: Meeting legal requirements and avoiding potential penalties.

Operational Efficiency: Ensuring water systems operate effectively and reliably.

Cost Savings: Preventing costly issues and potential downtime associated with water problems.

Peace of Mind: Providing reassurance that water systems are being managed responsibly.

We offer a client focused approach to ensure the consultancy provides clear and transparent information about our processes and findings.

Our consultancy is fully independent and impartial, offering no further remedial works, just clear and concise advise and information for you to act on where necessary.

Please complete the contact form to discuss any consultancy requirements.

The Health and Say Executive (HSE) ifetn the UK, through their Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8), emphasizes the importance of proper training for individuals responsible for Legionella control. While not explicitly mandated, the ACoP L8 states that those implementing control measures should be "suitably informed, instructed, and trained". This means that while there isn't a specific legal document stating you must have training, it's practically necessary to demonstrate competence and compliance with safety regulations.

Legionella training is a crucial aspect of responsible water system management. It ensures individuals can competently perform their duties, comply with regulations, and prevent the spread of Legionnaires' disease.

Aegir Compliance offers an “on site” Legionella Awareness Course for up to 6 persons at your chosen location.

The course duration is approximately 3 hours, delivered in person.

Legionella Awareness Course Overview

Our Legionella Awareness training is ideal for those who are both directly and indirectly involved with the operation and maintenance of water systems but still require an understanding of Legionella risk and what can be done to minimise the risk.  

You will gain valuable insights into the risks associated with legionella bacteria and learn how to identify warning signs. This online course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard your organisation and ensure a healthy environment for everyone. 

Why is Legionella Awareness Training essential?

Legionnaires' disease can lead to long-term health issues and even fatalities.  As per legal requirements outlined in the HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), it is essential that individuals responsible for controlling and preventing legionella within the workplace are competent, trained, and aware of their responsibilities. 

Who should attend?

This awareness course may be applicable to any persons involved with the control of water systems within your buildings. Participants will gain a introduction to the risks associated with legionella bacteria in water systems, as well as learn effective measures to mitigate these risks. 

Don't let inadequate management or lack of training contribute to outbreaks of legionnaires' disease!

 Topics covered on the course will include:

Legionella the bacteria - the history and outbreak case reports;

Factors that encourage Legionella growth within water systems;

An overview of the law, regulations and guidance applicable to Legionella;

Those persons involved in the routine management and operation of water systems;

Control strategies that can assist with minimising growth of Legionella in water systems; Operational checks that can assist with evidencing that control schemes are effective;

Identification and management of infrequently used outlets and other other risk assets;

Q&A session.

A certificate of attendance will be issued to all participants on completion of the course.

Please complete the contact form to book your Legionella Training course today.