Legionella, often lurking unnoticed in water systems, poses a significant health risk if not properly managed. Responsible for Legionnaires' disease, a serious lung infection, this bacterium thrives in specific water conditions and can impact anyone exposed to contaminated water droplets.
As a business, you are legally required to ensure that your workforce and other people are safe when entering and occupying any of your buildings. Looking after your water is no exception.
Industries We Work With
Our Consultants have experience in many different industries, such as the following:
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Water Safety Overview
Water is an integral component of our buildings, playing a crucial role in various aspects of our daily lives. However, it is essential to prioritise good water hygiene and effective legionella management to ensure compliance and the well-being of occupants. Bacterial growth in water systems is a common occurrence, and under specific conditions, legionella bacteria can flourish in the built environment, posing a potential health risk.
Among the various issues that can rapidly impact individuals, legionella poses a significant concern if building water services are not appropriately managed. To ensure proper management of your building’s water systems, the following key elements should be in place:
- A current Legionella Risk Assessment - This assessment should identify potential sources of legionella bacteria growth, evaluate the likelihood of exposure, and recommend appropriate control measures
- A Legionella Written Scheme - This scheme outlines the control measures, monitoring protocols, and maintenance procedures necessary to minimize the risk of legionella growth and spread
- Management Records - Having accurate and up-to-date records ensures transparency and accountability and enables a proactive approach to prevent potential issues
- Evidence of Training - Ensuring that individuals involved have the necessary knowledge and expertise enhances the overall management of water hygiene and reduces the risk of legionella outbreaks
Whether you're a facility manager, health and safety officer, or someone else responsible for water safety, Ligtas are here to help you ensure that your water systems are not just compliant with regulations but also ensure you are up to date with health and safety legal responsibilities, best practices, and proactive measures essential in the fight against Legionella.
Ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of your Legionella Management System is not just a priority – it's the cornerstone of a safe environment.
Water Safety Services
The services we provide include:
- Strategic Level Legionella Management Reviews
- Legionella Risk Assessments
- Legionella Interim Health Checks
- Legionella Written Schemes
- Water Management Documentation
- Independent Water Consultancy
- Water Quality Testing
- Management Policies, Reviews and Systems
- Legionella Awareness Training
- Legionella Management Training
Benefits of Water Safety Management
- By using Ligtas, you will be confident that you are using highly skilled and experienced experts
- Our legionella risk assessments are accredited by the Legionella Control Association, providing you with reassurance that our consultants and their assessments are to a high level
- Our legionella risk assessments are conducted to a high level
- Maintaining good water hygiene management reduces the risks of legionella outbreaks, which can be fatal
Many elements of water maintenance can be contracted out, but you must be able to fully trust what you have in place. Working with reputable and trustworthy professionals ensures that water systems are maintained to the highest standards and that the risk of legionella contamination is effectively managed.
By prioritising good water hygiene, conducting regular risk assessments, implementing a comprehensive Legionella Written Scheme, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring proper training, you can effectively manage your building’s water systems and minimize the risk of legionella outbreaks.
By doing so, you create a safer and healthier environment for occupants, complying with regulations and promoting the overall well-being of everyone within the building.
Client Responsibilities
- Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, those responsible for premises containing domestic water systems are required to protect the Health and Safety of all employees, non-employees and contractors. To ensure this is so, the following Regulations and ACoPs must be adhered to
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Reporting of Injury Disease Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended)
- The Approved Code of Practice L8: Legionnaires’ Disease: The Control of Legionella Bacteria In Water Systems
- HSG 274 Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance Parts 1, 2&3
- HSG 282 The control of Legionella and other infectious agents in spa-pool systems
This multifaceted duty involves conducting regular assessments, implementing robust water hygiene practices, and adhering to comprehensive Legionella risk assessments.
Whether overseeing domestic residences, commercial spaces, or healthcare facilities, facilities managers are pivotal in mitigating potential health risks associated with waterborne pathogens. By assuming this vital role, facilities managers contribute to the overall well-being of occupants, aligning with legal obligations and fostering a secure living and working environment.
Often, the duty holders do not clearly understand their legal responsibilities or knowledge of legionella control and matters relating to water hygiene. Download the Guide For DutyHolders here.
Not unreasonably, in this situation, they turn to a commercial legionella risk assessment/ services organisation for professional help.
How We Can Help
- Ligtas are a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA) with highly qualified and experienced water safety consultants.
- Ligtas can support you with highly qualified and experienced water safety consultants.
- Our experienced and competent staff, who are members of the Water Management Society, can assist in achieving full legislative compliance, which can be tailored to your needs.
Legionella Control Association (LCA)
Ligtas are members of the Legionella Control Association (LCA). Our LCA membership certificate and the LCA Code of Conduct can be viewed below.
Ligtas membership to the LCA covers the following areas:
- Independent Consultancy Services
- Legionella Risk Assessments
- Sampling
- Training
Certificates
Why Choose Ligtas?
We don’t Tick Boxes
Choosing Ligtas for both the Legionella risk assessment and the interim health check is a decision that underscores a commitment to excellence, compliance, and safety in water system management.
Expertise and Experience
Our team of highly skilled and experienced professionals specialise in water safety and Legionella control. Our expertise ensures that risk assessments are thorough, accurate, and comply with the latest health and safety regulations. This in-depth understanding of water systems and Legionella bacteria dynamics ensures clients receive the most effective recommendations for safely managing their water systems.
Comprehensive Services
Offering both Legionella risk assessments and interim health checks, Ligtas provides you with an opportunity to remain safe and compliant. This means that clients can have continuity in service provision, ensuring that the recommendations and control measures from the initial risk assessment are consistently applied and monitored over time. The interim health checks serve as a valuable tool for early detection of potential issues, allowing for timely interventions to prevent costly or hazardous situations.
Customised Solutions
Understanding that each premise has unique characteristics and challenges, We tailor our services to meet specific needs. Whether it's a commercial building or a residential property, our approach ensures that the risk assessment and interim health checks are relevant to each client's specific water systems and usage patterns. This customisation enhances the effectiveness of the control measures recommended.
Regulatory Compliance
It goes without saying that with an in-depth understanding of UK health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, L8 Approved Code of Practice, and COSHH regulations, Ligtas ensures that clients meet and exceed regulatory requirements. This helps prevent Legionella outbreaks and safeguards clients against potential legal and financial repercussions associated with non-compliance.
* COSHH provides a legal framework for managing hazardous substances in the workplace to protect people from health risks. Although COSHH primarily addresses chemical hazards, its principles also extend to biological agents such as Legionella bacteria, which can pose serious health risks.
Proactive Health and Safety Culture
Ligtas promotes a proactive approach to managing health and safety risks. By choosing Ligtas for both the risk assessment and interim health checks, clients demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a high health and safety standard within their premises. This proactive stance is essential in creating a safe environment for all.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that your water systems are being managed by experts provides peace of mind. Ligtas's comprehensive and expert services mean that clients can be confident in the safety and compliance of their water systems, allowing them to focus on their core activities without worrying about Legionella risks.
Cost-Effectiveness
Preventing Legionella outbreaks is not only a matter of health and safety but also of cost management. By detecting potential issues early through interim health checks and implementing effective control measures, Ligtas helps clients avoid the significant costs associated with Legionella outbreaks, including treatment, potential litigation, and damage to reputation.
Quality Assurance
Ligtas is committed to delivering high-quality services supported by rigorous quality assurance processes. This commitment ensures that all assessments and checks are conducted with the utmost precision and care, providing clients with reliable and actionable insights.
Training and Support
Beyond assessments and checks, Ligtas offers training and support to clients, ensuring that their staff are knowledgeable about Legionella risks and control measures. This educational approach empowers clients to maintain high standards of water safety independently.
Reputation and Reliability With a track record of successful engagements and positive client feedback, Ligtas has established a reputation for reliability and excellence in water safety and Legionella risk management. Choosing Ligtas means partnering with a trusted leader in health and safety.
Facilities Management Experience
Facilities managers are the backbone of water safety, responsible for safeguarding occupants by meticulously overseeing water systems. Our services empower facilities managers to fulfil their role by conducting regular assessments, implementing good water hygiene practices, and adhering to comprehensive Legionella risk assessments.
Contributing to Overall Well-being
Whether you manage domestic residences, commercial spaces, or healthcare facilities, your role as a facilities manager directly impacts the health and safety of occupants. By partnering with us, you contribute to the overall well-being of occupants, aligning with legal obligations and fostering a secure living and working environment.
To find out more and speak with a Ligtas consultant
Contact Us