BS 8580 2010: Risk Assessment for Legionella Control event was held in London on the 8th April 2010.

The well attended event was established to allow industry professionals to voice there opinions and comments on the new legionella risk assessment British standard document BS 8580 which is due to be released later this year!

We were in attendance and exhibited at the event and would like to thank the Society of Chemical Industry, The British Standards Institute, The Health and Safety Executive, the Health Protection Agency and The Water Management Society in partnering and supporting this event and much needed BS 8580 document to be released later this year.

Interestingly, the differing views and opinions from the industry on the BS8580 document were wide ranging and perhaps this was not to be un-expected, particularly given such a wide variety of organisations were present.

However, with comments ranging from the questioning of whether the new BS8580 standard is even needed, to particular words such as “independence” included in the standard, it seemed obvious that a general consensus amongst risk assessors is needed.

The opportunity to voice personnel opinion was given in four discussion groups which lead to some fantastically heated debates which we guess will continue long after the release of the document.

Nevertheless, there were a few points in the BS 8580 draft document that stirred up much debate for which we just couldn’t resist voicing our own opinions on in attempt to generate some further healthy debate.

Two points in particular are discussed as part of this blog for which we would like your comments:

Point 1) Paragraph 5.3 of BS 8580 Independence.

The use of the word “Independence” was heavily discussed throughout the event as a potential issue and it stirred up much emotion.

The BS8580 draft document clearly states that the risk assessor should be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity when carrying out surveys of legionella in premises. It then confirms that the risk assessor or assessing organisation should not accept any inducement offered explicitly or implicitly, with regards to reducing the charge for the survey in return for the opportunity to carry out any resulting remedial work.

Point 2) BS 8580 Section 6 – Desktop appraisal of documentation

Section 6 of the draft document provides detailed guidance on the requirement for consultation reviews, appraisals and audits of various parts of the legionella control programme which are required as part of a good risk assessment in compliance with the British Standard 8580.  Section 6 of the draft document details the requirement for appraisal and auditing of any existing risk assessment,  log books, maintenance history,training records, monitoring and inspection programmes and the safe operation of the systems.

Further to the information in section 6 of the document an excellent presentation was provided by Susanne Surman-Lee from the Health Protection Agency. The presentation focused on the review of microbiological analysis and considerations associated with BS 8580. From  Susanne’s wondrously experienced presentation, it seemed clear to us that a good risk assessor should be adopting an independent stance when reviewing and appraising the documentation as per the stance taking by the independent regulators such as the HSE, EHO and the HPA who work hard to regulate and manage the risks throughout the country.

It has long been clear to us  that to do a good assessment and one that is in compliance with BS 8580, that the assessor will need to be able to demonstrate this independence, impartiality and integrity when conducting the desktop appraisal of documentation particularly.

Our feeling is that the current draft document is well written and will act as an aid to focus the mind of a risk assessor when undertaking an assessment in compliance with BS 8580. It seems obvious that if a quality risk assessment is to be undertaken, then the risk assessor will need to demonstrate true independence impartiality and integrity when conducting the survey.

Our view and opinion is that the word independence and the value of utilising an independent specialist is not emphasised enough in the new BS 8580 document! Yes it should be used and emphasised throughout the document even more!!

Our job as risk assessors is to report the findings of the systems and processes identified at the time of survey that may pose a risk of legionella infection without fear or favour!!

It is not uncommon to identify poor risk assessments, it is not uncommon to find risk assessments that focus only on the systems present and to contain very little or no information on the records or testing regimes in place. However, it is common for the Regulatory bodies such as the HSE, HPA and EHO’s and other Independent Consultants such as ourselves to identify microbiological sampling regimes, records, procedures and processes which are completely inadequate.

It seems that those who are uncomfortable enough to strongly object to the word “independent” even being in the BS 8580 document are those most likely to have a problem demonstrating independence, impartiality and integrity when doing their survey work, and this  must be an issue!!

Our questions are these:

1) Is it possible to honestly appraise, audit and review your own work? and where identified would you expose your failings direct to the client, HSE, HPA and or EHO’s?

2) Where you identify failings in the programme for which your organisation is directly responsible would you alert the client, HSE and HPA or EHO readily as needed?

3) Where remedial works are identified from the risk assessment for which you have undertaken, would you be able to, or encouraged by your organisation to, support the client in finding the most cost effective solution regardless of whether you or your employer is to gain from such remedial works?  Would you be restricted to the methods and or services and products offered by your employer of the assessing organisation?

4) When conducting your surveys are you able to detach your recommendations from the specific products that your organisation supplies and therefore present a range of solutions inclusive of those for which you are unlikely to gain any benefit?

5) Are your surveys focused on the risks rather than the potential rewards?

Our view is that with the exception of the regulators such as the HSE , EHO’s and other truly independent bodies such as the HPA and DWI etc, many assessors will not be able to answer all of the above questions from an independent point of view.

Our job as experienced assessors is to work for the Duty Holder or Responsible person. We are therefore obligated to offer an independent survey to aid the reduction of  legionella risk in premises. Our job as risk assessors is to try to identify any failings which may lead to increased risk. Our job as risk assessors is not to worry about what may come of our findings but to find any issues that need addressing. Our job as risk assessors is to provide all possible or known resolutions to any issue for which we may identify.

Therefore independence and impartiality should be considered vital!!!

Presentations by Mr Paul McDermott of the HSE and Tony Macklin of the Environmental Health in the City of London, considered the new BS 8580 from a regulators point of view which again leaned towards ensuring that risk assessors take an objective view when undertaking their work.

From a clients prospective, whilst it may be easier to appoint a single organisation to mange the entire risk of legionella. In a time of litigation, if the client is to demonstrate that they have done all that is reasonably practical to reduce or manage the risk it will normally be much better that they have appointed an independent specialist as an extra level of competence to support the risk management and control programme. Appointing an independent will offer the client an extra layer of protection, it will allow the organisation to clearly demonstrate they have taken all available measures. It will provide an independent review that could be extremely valuable to reduce existing and developing risks.

The consequence of not appointing an independent or using assessors which can demonstrate independence may potentially lead to cover ups that are not identified until the prosecutors are present. Not using an independent may lead to unnecessary control measures that lead to additional costs for the client that offer little or no value in reducing or managing the risk of legionella. Finally, not using an independent may lead to unnecessary exposure to risk of litigation.

In conclusion, we would like to point out that if a legionella outbreak or issue was to arise in any building for which you are responsible you may not have a choice as to whether an independent specialist is appointed to appraise, audit and review your procedures and processes. Furthermore the consequence of this independent intervention may lead to either a significant fine and or criminal prosecution. Therefore ensuring you have this independent review without the risk of a substantial fine or criminal prosecution to us makes complete sense.

However, for Aqua Legion UK , it really doesn’t matter whether the word independent is in the final document or not. What matters to us, is that we continue to offer independent services of the highest quality to every client. What matters to us, is that we are able to utilise all available techniques services and methods on the market by introducing the best organisations in the market to ensure we reduce our clients risk of exposure to both legionella and litigation.

There is a multitude of proven Legionella Control systems, methods and techniques which are fully understood and available for utilisation and implementation today.

Likewise there is a multitude of new legionella control methods and techniques entering the market on a frequent basis. With so many Legionella Control systems, techniques and methods available and entering the market we ask, ‘what is the best legionella control method to use’? What are the best legionella risk management products? What are the best legionella control techniques to apply?.

Unfortunately the above questions cannot be answered simply and no one single legionella control system, method or technique will be effective in all cases.  It should be accepted that the legionella control systems, method or technique applied will need to be specific to the site or water systems in question.

In some cases simple temperature management and regular pastuerisations will be enough to manage or control the risk of legionella. In other cases a stringent chemical treatment programme will be necessary. But what legionella control programme, product or technique is right for your particular system?

This question is why Aqua Legion UK Ltd operate as an Independent Legionella Specialist.

We have formulated relationships with a range of specialist partners offering a range of different but specialist legionella control systems, management techniques, methods and services.  We understand that it is vital to have access to the full range of legionella control systems, water treatment techniques and management systems required to manage the risk of legionella in any water system, site or building.

By operating as independent specialists we are not restricted to just one or a few products, by operating as an independent, we can introduce and call upon a wide variety of legionella control systems, techniques and specialist methods and services to ensure we manage the selection of the correct and or most effective methods of control for your specific system, site or building.

By calling upon our wide ranging specialist partners we are able to manage legionella control problems utilising all current proven available legionella control systems and techniques including but not limited to:

Standardised temperature management, chlorination’s, continuous/ proportional chlorine dioxide dosing, copper silver ionisation,  Ozone and UV Treatments, silver hydrogen peroxide disinfection’s and treatment and engineering solutions.

We are able to formulate teams capable of manging water systems from standard domestic systems to industrial cooling towers and steam boilers. Our teams cover all systems from a simple single domestic water system to large scale process plant, from all industrial, commercial and private sectors.

Utilising our independent specialist knowledge means you get the right products and services for your particular system and not just the products that we may stock, produce,  hold or gain financial benefit from.  We see ourselves as the effective team builders to manage and control legionella in the work place.

The new British Standard 8580 Risk Assessment for Legionella Control is out for consultation! Make sure you come to the event and have your say.

The BS 8580 Risk Assessment for Legionella Control has been released for consultation by the British Standards Institute.

It is anticipated that the new standard will serve practitioners covering a comprehensive range of industries from care homes and nursing homes, to leisure centres and hospitals. It is anticipated that the BS 8580 Risk Assessments for Legionella Control in water systems, will provide independent risk assessors, regulators, facilities managers and building owners and operators with defined guidance on the procedures, processes and composition of a suitable Legionella risk assessment for water systems within the built environment.

It is hoped that this long anticipated guide will clearly define the defference between a good and bad assessment!

Our opinion is that there are to many poor assessments out there. It should be understandable from the new Standard that a legionella risk assessment requires professional expertise and competence. The risk assessment market is extremely competitive at the moment because there are two many companies offering poor quality quick turn around generic reports that are cheap, but do little to cover the clients legal obligations or ensure the safety of there occupants.   If there is a defined standard that prevents sub-standard reports then we believe that the risk assessment market will recover as it is left to the true professionals.

To book your place at the up and coming  must attend event download the booking form here:

Apr 2010_legionella (2)

Other useful information about the event follow or copy link below

http://www.soci.org/General-Pages/Display-Event?EventCode=ENV989

Managing legionella across Newham and the five Olympic boroughs

Whilst Aqua Legion UK focus on creating the most effective water treatment and legionella risk management services throughout the Southeast of England,  we specialise in super fast response times to cover all of London’s boroughs and the surrounding counties including Essex, Kent, Croydon, Bromley, Enfield and Surrey.

We have also recently set up a new office in the Olympic borough of Newham, situated local to Stratford and Forest Gate to ensure we are able to service the five Olympic boroughs most effectively.

With so much change and redevelopment in the Olympic boroughs we aim to raise the profile of water hygiene, water treatment and legionella risk management in Newham and the other four Olympic boroughs including Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest.

We feel that with so many people coming to the area during the Olympics, it will be extremely important that our local hotels, B&B’s and rented accommodations get their water systems up to standard with regards to legionella control.

It is important that the UK and London create a positive lasting legacy following the Olympics. To do this we need to exercise a level of due care and diligence before, during and after the games.

Legionella is something that is easily managed in most buildings. However, if ignored and infections were to occur it,  it could easily damage the legacy of our games. We therefore think that it will be extremely important that the Olympic village, parks, pools and surrounding hotels,  and B&B accommodation especially manage their water systems effectively prior to the games, during the games and after the games.

The Olympic village will also be of particular concern since it may be occupied by high profile Athletes and potentially susceptible individuals during the para-olympics especially.

There is a vast amount of construction works going on in the area including offices, shopping centres, Stratford international station and other public, community and business premises and facilities where legionella infections could occur.  As a result we believe it is impotant to highlight the risk of legionella infection from the offset so effective management can be put in place as required by Law.

If you have a business operating in any of the Olympic boroughs or plan to offer rental accommodation or public facilities including bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs etc and want to know how to make sure your Organisation is legally covered with regards to legionella please contact us.

The BBC ran a report on BBC 1 London Breakfast this morning about legionnaires disease in potting compost. The risk of legionnaires diseases is real and can be fatal.

However, when you ask most people if they know what legionnaires disease is the answer is no. This lack of awareness leads to sporadic infections on an annual basis throughout the country. Unfortunately these sporadic infections rarely get reported.

Legionnaires disease only tends to capture the limelight or reach the press when a large outbreak occurs and a number of people are infected or die.

Unknown to most people, the risk of infection can be found from a range of water sources including water or moisture in potting composts. It is not actually the compost that causes legionella, it is the moisture trapped within the soil or compost where the legionella bacteria live and grow.

If the bacteria enters the moisture in the soil or compost it will grow rapidly if conditions are right. When the compost or soil is worked the trapped moisture can be released via a vapour which is then inhaled. Inhaling the moisture or vapour released from the compost when worked during potting or gardening can lead to infection and ultimately legionnaires disease which can be fatal.

However, it is also important to highlight that  legionnaires diseases can also be contracted from a simple domestic water system at home or at work.  If a domestic water system is poorly managed, maintained or seldom used and the bacteria enters the system then it will grow and could lead to the potentially fatal infection.

Contact us for more information or advice.

How many more people have to die before we start taking the risk of legionella infection seriously.

Kent and the Kent area is now under investigation by the HPA to locate the source of the legionella infections and a number of Organisation will be exposed over the next few months for not having risk assessments or having inadequate control measures in place to reduce the risks.

Don’t be the next Statistic ! Carry out your legionella risk assessment and implement proper control measures to reduce control and manage the risks. Contact us now – www.aqualegion.com for a professional and competent service.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning companies responsible for carrying out legionella Risk Assessments of the need to ensure that their work is thorough and accurate.

The warning follows conviction of a Berkshire-based water treatment company for carrying out inadequate and misleading surveys at nursing homes. As a result, vulnerable residents at the homes would have been at a heightened risk of contracting legionnaires disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

They were fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,276.

The company were commissioned to carry out legionella risk assessments at Nursing Homes operated by Craegmoor Healthcare in Tredegar and Llangattock.

A subsequent routine check of the nursing homes revealed there to be inadequate controls for legionella at these premises, and the focus moved on to the work carried out by The Water Treatment Company.

“Elderly nursing home residents are at greater risk from the bacteria so it is imperative that safety critical surveys are adequate.

“Fortunately, there was no evidence of any outbreak of the disease, but there is a clear responsibility to those companies carrying out specialist work that they need to carry out adequate surveys and provide accurate information and Legionella risk assessments are no different.”

It is important to ensure the Organisation you use to carryout your survey’s are registrered with the Legionella Control Association. If the Organisation is not registered with the Legionella Control Associaton you could be putting yourself and staff at uneccassry risks, and you may end up with a substandard risk assessment or poor quility service.

CHICAGO – A Chicago Train Authority (CTA) employee has died from complications of Legionnaires’ Disease after working with another CTA electrician on a train washing machine, according to CBS2.

The Aug. 11 story said the worker contracted the disease two weeks ago. He had been working on a train washing equipment when a blast of stagnant water struck him in the nose, mouth and face. The next day he became very ill with an extremely high fever.

The Legionella bacteria occurs naturally in the environment but can increase with warm re-circulating water, such as cooling towers. Symptoms include headaches, fever, chills, coughs and muscle aches and pains.

According to CTA officials, no other employees have shown signs of Legionnaires’ Disease, and, spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said, “There is no evidence that the illness was contracted at CTA.” However, the CTA said it alerted 800 workers of the potential for contracting the disease and has shut down the train washing machine and similar devices.

Afterward, employees received another letter saying “while there was nothing to indicate that the disease was contracted at a CTA location and, in fact, the Dept. of Health said that the CTA did not need to take any action, the CTA decided to proactively hire an outside environmental firm to test and clean the equipment in question,” Gaffney said.

Five Legionnaires cases confirmed

Five cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed in Kent, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said.

The HPA was already investigating three cases, two of which had links with the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and two more were reported on Wednesday.

Kevin Carroll, 50, died after being admitted to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital with the Legionella infection.

The HPA said it was trying to identify the source of each case and there was no evidence that they were linked.

One of the two people most recently confirmed to be infected with the condition was an inpatient at the William Harvey Hospital. The other person had no link to any hospital.

Two of the people currently being treated at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford are said to be in a serious condition.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, director of the Health Protection Unit, said: “We are working closely with our partners in the NHS to try and identify the source of these infections.

“This will include investigating all places each person visited in the two weeks before they fell ill.

“At present there is no evidence that the cases are linked.”

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust said showers, baths and water births had been suspended at the William Harvey Hospital and engineers had flushed the water system through as a further precaution.

Mr Carroll, from Dover, who died after being infected with the Legionnaires’ was described as being a keen scooter enthusiast and a “great guy”.

Members of the Dover Saints Scooter Club said his family were keen for him to have “scooter send-off”.

The bacterium Legionella pneumophilia causes the disease, which is normally transmitted through inhaling water vapour containing the bacteria.

Bottled mineral water has confirmed to be a casualty of the credit crunch with a fall of 9% in the British Market this year.