Legionella management in the hospitality industry

Mrs A FerreroMrs A FerreroEnvironmental Health OfficerEnvironmental Health OfficerEast Devon District CouncilEast Devon District Council

What is Legionella ?

Legionella is the general name for a family of

bacteria which can cause a severe pneumonia

illness

The bacteria grows in water systems and infects

people who breath in fine droplets of water

containing the bacteria

10 to 40% of the people infected will die from

the infection

Legionella bacteria

Legionella bacteria are very common

in the environment

They will get in to any water system

They feed on the dirt, organic matter

and old materials in water systems

They multiply in water between 20 and

45 degrees centigrade

How widespread is the disease ?

There are more than 300 confirmed cases a

year, but true incidence is estimated to be

3500 – 5000 cases.

Between 2000 and 2005 there have been 165

confirmed cases in the South West.

22 of these were fatal.

13 were shown to have come from spa pools

or hot and cold water systems.

So how do you get it?

1. Stored water systems are likely to have the

bacteria.

2. The bacteria can easily multiply if the water

is warm and has a source of food.

3. If the water is turned in to droplets it will

carry the bacteria with it.

4. If people breath in these droplets they can

become infected and may suffer illness

What sort of systems in Hotels create a risk ?

Hot and cold water systems

Spa pools

Showers

Ornamental water features / fountains

Humidifiers

Horticultural water systems

So what can we do?

We cannot stop the bacteria getting in to water

supplies

We have to control its ability to grow and

multiply

We have to control the production of droplets

in the air with the bacteria in

Hot and cold water systems

Know your system (diagram)

Protect it (cover tanks, screen

overflow pipes)

Keep it clean (clean tanks yearly)

No dead legs

Hot water at 60 degrees

Cold water below 20 degrees

Keep water moving

Spa pools

Third most common cause of illness

Warm water

Create fine droplets where people

breathe

Very difficult to get to all the

pipe-work to clean

Bathers provide food for bacteria

Showers

Water become stagnant when

not used

Creates large amounts of fine

droplets

Flush to drain weekly without

creating spray (use plastic bag)

Dismantle, clean and descale

every three months

Ornamental water features

If closed down for long

periods can become

stagnant

Pipework can have variable

materials and construction

Internal features get dirty and

warm so consider water treatment

Humidifiers

Can include food displays,

room humidifiers, nebulizers,

laundry/plant sprayers

Include on risk assessment

If possible empty and

thoroughly dry between use

Keep reservoirs clean and

treat water where possible

Horticultural watering systems

If closed down for long periods

can become stagnant

Pipework can have variable

materials and construction

May use non drinking water

supply

Will create droplets

So what do I do?

Appoint a responsible person, someone with

managerial responsibility who knows about the

risks

Know your system – you may need competent help

Assess risk to decide on control measures

Train relevant staff to monitor and manage controls

Write a procedure

Review regularly

Sources of information

Your local EHO

HSE guidance

Legionella Control Association

Water Treatment Consultants

Legionella infection is foreseeable

and preventable!

Therefore you have a legal duty

to do something to deal with

the risk.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999