As summer temperatures rise, the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, also increases. This is due to the combination of rising stored water temperatures and possibly reduced water usage in buildings due to low occupancy, which creates ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to grow and multiply.
Cloutput Industries, a company specializing in health and safety solutions for high-risk sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, and mining, is taking proactive steps to combat this risk. Their approach goes beyond mere regulatory compliance, aiming to transform standard documentation into powerful tools that boost efficiency and performance. They emphasize the importance of safety investments, strategic planning, and resource allocation to create safer workplaces.
“During the summer, extra care should be taken to control Legionella growth by reviewing the measures currently in place and ensuring they are suitable for the current conditions,” says Bradley Clark, General Manager at Cloutput Industries. “Consider additional flushing regimes to maintain a reasonable water turnover, as well as ensuring cold water is stored and distributed within well-insulated tanks and pipework. Legionella bacteria won’t go away on its own; treatment is required. This is especially dangerous for health-compromised individuals and the elderly.”
Legionella bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems, and spa pools.
The bacteria multiply where temperatures are between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C. Legionella bacteria can develop and multiply within days in ideal conditions.
People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols), suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella if:
- The water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth.
- It is possible for breathable water droplets to be created and dispersed, e.g., aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets.
- Water is stored and/or re-circulated.
- There are deposits that can support bacterial growth providing a source of nutrients for the organism, e.g., rust, sludge, scale, organic matter, and biofilms.
To control the risk from Legionella, water services should be operated at temperatures that prevent Legionella growth:
- Hot water storage cylinders (calorifiers) should store water at 60°C or higher.
- Hot water should be distributed at 50°C or higher (thermostatic mixer valves need to be fitted as close as possible to outlets, where a scald risk is identified).
- Cold water should be stored and distributed below 20°C.
A competent person should routinely check, inspect, and clean the system, in accordance with the risk assessment. Stagnant water favours Legionella growth. To reduce the risk, you should remove dead legs/dead ends in pipe-work, flush out infrequently used outlets (including showerheads and taps) at least weekly, and clean and de-scale shower heads and hoses at least quarterly.
Design systems to minimise Legionella growth, by:
- Keeping pipe work as short and direct as possible.
- Adequately insulating pipes and tanks.
- Using materials that do not encourage the growth of Legionella.
- Preventing contamination, e.g., by fitting tanks with lids and insect screens.
Water samples should be analysed for Legionella periodically to demonstrate that bacteria counts are acceptable. The frequency should be determined by the level of risk, in accordance with the risk assessment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also stated that a peak in recorded instances of Legionnaires’ disease is typically seen in autumn or summer. Therefore, it’s crucial to be vigilant about this risk as temperatures rise.
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For more information, please visit the website cloutput.co.uk or contact the Customer Support Team via www.cloutput.co.uk/contact-us.
About Cloutput Industries Cloutput Industries specializes in health and safety solutions for high-risk sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, and mining. Their approach goes beyond mere regulatory compliance, aiming to transform standard documentation into powerful tools that boost efficiency and performance. They emphasize the importance of safety investments, strategic planning, and resource allocation to create safer workplaces.
