Legionella control in the

University of Sheffield

Legionella Awareness for
Departmental representatives
What is Legionella?
A naturally occurring
bacterium
Found in most water
systems
Often present in mains
water
Easily colonises most
domestic water systems
hot and cold
Requirements for Growth?

Optimum temperature
range of 20 - 45 C
Food source (other bacteria
& sediments)
Prefers stagnant conditions
Route of Infection?
Primarily through inhalation
of aerosols, fine droplets &
mists
Can be contracted by choking
on contaminated water
Statistically most susceptible
- 50 to 70 year olds
- Males
- Smokers
How big a risk?
Legionnaires Disease
Potentially fatal form of pneumonia
5-30% fatality rate
200-300 cases of infection in England
& Wales annually
Incubation period 2-10 days -
typically 3-6days
Legionella pneumophila 23 sub types
HSE view Legionnaire's Disease as
preventable assuming management
failure!

Legionnaire's Disease
Legislation
The Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974
Management of Health &
Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
COSHH 2002
ACOP L8 (see front
cover)
L8 Guide to Successful Control
Requires:
Management regime in place
Risk Assessments
Control regime
Maintenance and upgrade
Review
Risk Assessments should:
Identify & quantify relevant wet systems plus
equipment holding / circulating water
Assess potential for Legionella growth
Identify who is at risk
Assess the potential for bacterial transfer
Quantify and prioritise the risks
Determine suitable means of control
UoS Responsibilities 1
Statutory Duty Holder who is ultimately
responsible Registrar & Secretary
Appointed Responsible Person for day to day
management Director of Estates
Deputy Responsible Person to cover holidays
and illness Head of Engineering Operations
Responsibility cannot be delegated
UoS Responsibilities 2
Policy for the Control of Legionella bacteria
Management structure in place with
Contractors charged with carrying out: -
Legionella Risk assessments of all buildings
Treatment of water assets where required
Sampling and analysis of water systems
Remedial works incl. removing dead-legs
5 Zones - Engineers managing Contractors
Current Position
Current regime in place for > 2 years
95% buildings assessed (some low risk o/s)
Current costs ~ 250,000 pa
Monitoring of sample results on-line
Legionella Procedures Manual in place
Legionella Control Steering Group 3 meetings
per year chaired by Prof R F Jackson
Policy and Procedures on Safety Services
website
Typical Systems at Risk
Cooling Towers
Domestic hot & cold water systems
Water features incl. ornamental fountains
Equipment producing aerosols, mists or
droplets from stored water sources including
showers & humidifiers
Equipment holding / circulating
water at 20 - 45 C
Examples of lab & workshop equipment
Water tanks & baths
Spray taps
Water recirculation systems for cooling
Rarely used taps & showers (even at home)
Misting equipment
Dentistry tools
Oil / water emulsions for
lubricating lathes
Mobile AC equipment with water
Controlling Legionella bacteria
Temperature monitoring
Controlled release of water spray
Avoid temp. conditions 20 - 45 C
Avoid water stagnation - empty & clean regularly
Avoid materials which harbour bacteria
Maintain cleanliness of spray outlets
Water treatment where necessary
Ensure correct & safe operation of system
Flushing regime for rarely-used outlets
What Departments need to do - 1
Identify a Nominated Person to help you
manage Legionella risks in your Department
Identify & record all : -
water-containing equipment which
operates in the temperature range 20-45C
all rarely-used taps & showers
all equipment supplied from stored water
sources producing sprays, mists or aerosols
Assess the risk of Legionella growth in each
What Departments need to do - 2
Check Legionella Procedures Manual for
information of the management of specific
items of laboratory equipment
If your equipment is not listed, determine the
best means of reducing Legionella risks if
needed, contact Department of Estates for
help
Consider which treatment options are the
most appropriate from the next slide
Treatment / remedial options
Monitor temperatures; 20-45C = risk range
Every 2 weeks - heat water to 60C for 5 mins
Add disinfectants / Chloros as advised
Empty out the water system, thoroughly clean
& refill with fresh water every month
Clean & disinfect spray heads every month
Flush rarely-used outlets weekly
Arrange with Estates for removal of dead-legs
Arrange with Estates for samples to be taken if
risk exists (sampling is NOT a control measure
it takes 10 days for results to be sent through
it monitors whether your controls work)

Next step
Record all actions taken and results
received.
Review the efficacy of the
treatment regime by checking the
results of analyses received
Re-assess the risk assessment if
there are any changes to the
operating parameters or the system
layout
Drinking water coolers
2 types generally available:
Using large bottles of mineral water
Plumbed-in units
Legionella is not reported to be a problem with
water bottle coolers, usually work outside critical
temperature range,
1 reported instance of Legionella bacteria being
isolated from Activated Carbon filters in a
plumbed-in unit in New Zealand replace as
recommended by manufacturer.

We hope you found this
information useful!