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Time Business News
18 hours ago
- Health
- Time Business News
How often should I carry out a legionella risk assessment as a business owner
According to the HSE Acop l8 'The control of legionella bacteria' in water systems a legionella risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and at least every two years or if there is reason to believe that the current assessment is no longer valid. A Legionella risk assessment may no longer be valid if: There are changes to the water system. There are changes in the use of business. There is new information available about the risk or current control measures are no longer effective. How Often Do You Need a Legionella Risk Assessment? For high-risk environments, such as care homes, hospitals, or buildings with complex water systems, more frequent assessments may be necessary. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that any potential sources of Legionella bacteria are identified, assessed, and properly managed to protect the health and safety of building occupants. Keeping your Legionella risk assessment current is not just best practice—it's a legal requirement under UK health and safety law. How frequently should Legionella testing be carried out? Legionella testing follows the same principles: it is recommended to test every two years if you are confident that existing control measures remain effective and compliant. However, if there have been changes to the water system or if conditions such as stagnant water or fluctuations in temperature are present, factors that can encourage the growth of Legionella bacteria, it is advisable to carry out testing sooner. Why is it so important to test for Legionella? Legionella bacteria when inhaled can pose a serious health risk because the bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease. Those most vulnerable include people over the age of 45, individuals and anyone with a weakened immune system. The illness can be dangerous to those who catch the disease. Testing for Legionella is especially important because the bacteria can thrive in a wide range of common building water systems, including hot and cold-water tanks, pipework, showers, cooling towers, and even decorative fountains. It grows most effectively in water temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, particularly where water is stagnant or where scale, sludge, or biofilm are present. Many systems can develop these conditions unknowingly, especially in larger or older buildings. Under UK law, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, employers, landlords, and duty holders have a legal obligation to control the risk of exposure to Legionella. By conducting regular Legionella risk assessments and ongoing water system monitoring, you reduce the risk of contamination and demonstrate compliance with your legal duties. This proactive approach safeguards your building's occupants and helps prevent avoidable harm. What guidance is there for Legionella monitoring? The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides comprehensive guidance on legionella monitoring to help employers and those responsible for premises manage and control the risks associated with Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease. A summary of the HSE's guidance: Monitoring and control measures for Legionella risk, as outlined in HSE guidance, involve maintaining hot water at a minimum of 60°C at the heater and 50°C at outlets, while cold water should be stored and distributed at 20°C or below. It is essential to ensure regular water movement to avoid stagnation and to clean and disinfect systems routinely. For hot and cold-water systems (HSG274 Part 2), temperature checks at sentinel outlets should be conducted monthly, showerheads and hoses cleaned quarterly, cold water storage tanks inspected annually, and calorifiers inspected and, if needed, cleaned every six to twelve months. Infrequently used outlets should be flushed as required. For cooling towers and evaporative condensers (HSG274 Part 1), weekly system condition and chemical level checks are recommended, Legionella sampling should occur monthly, and a full clean and disinfection of the system should be performed quarterly, supported by an effective biocide treatment programme. Record keeping is also critical; records of risk assessments, monitoring and inspection results, remedial actions, and responsible persons should be maintained for at least five years. All tasks should be carried out by competent individuals with suitable training and experience, which may include duty holders, designated responsible persons, or external you want to ensure your water systems are safe and compliant, contact us to arrange a comprehensive Legionella risk assessment by experienced specialists. Get in touch today for a quote. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Safety expert warns of scammers selling free online courses
A Chorley safety expert has warned the public about online scammers charging people for his content. Dale Allen, founder of the Safety-Verse, said "copycat" companies have been taking his freely available health and safety courses and selling them to unsuspecting users. The Safety-Verse offers certified training through The Knights of Safety Academy, covering topics such as online safety, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, and mental health awareness. Mr Allen said: "For years, we have proudly provided free health and safety training to over 300,000 students to help people upskill, stay safe and build careers. "Our mission has always been rooted in one thing—access for everyone with no barriers. "These resources were created to save lives, not to be exploited for profit behind closed doors. "The misuse of our content without permission is deeply disappointing, unethical and unlawful." Mr Allen said "copycat" sites were not only charging for the free courses, but also issuing the Knights of Safety Academy's official certificates as if they were their own. He is now advising people to access the courses through the official Safety-Verse platform and to report any websites offering the training for a fee. While the copying activity is a breach of copyright law, Mr Allen said his bigger concern was that people were being exploited. Mr Allen added: "It's not just about the law, it is the principle. "People deserve honesty and clarity and we want to protect the value of free, open safety education." He also warned the public to be cautious of similar schemes online, including websites that charge for government services which are otherwise free, such as getting a tax refund from HMRC or applying for child benefit. The 44-year-old became interested in health and safety after a near-death experience at the age of five, when he almost choked on a marble. His mother was able to save him by holding him upside down and slapping him on the back until the marble dislodged. Mr Allen said the incident was a turning point in his life and led him to dedicate himself to safety education. More information and free training resources can be found at
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
HSENI inspectors to visit food production premises
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has announced a new programme of focused advisory and inspection visits across the agri-food sector as part of its healthier workplaces campaign. David Lowe, acting principal inspector of HSENI's Agriculture and Food Group, said that inspectors will be visiting food production premises 'to help ensure business are protecting their workforce from long-term health problems'. 'Employers have a duty to make sure their workers are safe and healthy, especially when dealing with substances that can damage their lungs, including chemicals and grain or flour dust,' he said. HSENI Over the next year, HSNI inspectors will be visiting agriculture and food production premises in Northern Ireland to ensure hazardous substances are being handled properly and that appropriate safety measures are in place. 'They will focus on how employers manage hazardous substances in the workplace and comply with their legal duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (NI) Regulations 2003 (COSHH). 'They will also be looking more specifically at those substances which have been assigned a workplace exposure limit (WEL), which cause known health effects and where health surveillance may be required,' Lowe added. HSENI confirmed that there will be a mixture of announced and unannounced inspections. Duty holders are reminded that they have very specific responsibilities under COSHH, and they must ensure they are familiar with the regulations and complying with them fully. 'Occupational respiratory diseases are all too common, but they are also preventable. No one should develop ill health simply because of the job they do. 'If anyone has concerns about their lung health they should speak to their GP,' Lowe said. Occupational lung disease symptoms include a persistent cough, as well as severe difficulties in breathing, chest tightness and coughing up blood. Symptoms can often be painful and debilitating, affecting the person's way of life and in severe cases can prevent sufferers from leading a normal lifestyle. To help businesses prepare for visits, HSENI has created a checklist that outlines what inspectors will be looking for, which is available on the executive's website.
Edinburgh Reporter
25-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Workplace Safety: What Are Companies' Obligations in 2025?
Creating and maintaining a legally compliant workplace might feel like a tall order, as UK businesses have many rules and regulations to follow to keep employees and visitors safe. Not to mention, laws and guidelines are constantly evolving, which can feel overwhelming to many business owners. Unfortunately, a failure to adhere to the law will not only lead to legal repercussions, fines, and a damaged reputation, but it could result in a serious or fatal injury. To learn about workplace safety, familiarise yourself with UK companies' obligations in 2025. Photo by Ümit Yıldırım on Unsplash Research Specific Regulations for Your Industry The UK has many regulations to keep all employees and the public safe and secure. It doesn't matter if you run a small or large business, take the time to learn about: · Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 · Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 · Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 · Work at Height Regulations · Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 · Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 · Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 · Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) · Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Different industries will have different health and safety requirements, which you'd be wise to familiarise yourself with to create a safe working environment. For instance, the construction industry must adhere to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Once you have a firm understanding of your company's specific legal requirements for its industry, you must introduce the appropriate safety solutions from Seton for compliant operations. You can check it out here. Follow the Health and Safety Act at Work (1974) Set time aside to learn about the Health and Safety Act at Work (1974), as it serves as the UK's primary legislation for workplace safety. It carefully outlines an employer's duty to their staff members and the public and details the consequences of non-compliance. Understand Your General Health & Safety Requirements Every UK business must comply with The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. It provides strict rules for companies to meet to provide employees with basic safety standards at work. For instance, it requires employers to provide: · Adequate lighting and ventilation · Access to clean drinking water · A suitable workstation · A reasonable indoor temperature Don't Overlook Remote Working Safety According to the Office for National Statistics, 44% of the UK population reported remote or hybrid working from 2022 to 2023, which is a huge jump from 4.9% in 2019. As more people are working from home than ever before, employers have a responsibility to ensure their employees are safe and healthy during working hours. For instance, they must assess staff members' workstation ergonomics, such as providing display screen equipment assessments. Also, they must routinely check in with employees to help protect their mental health, as they are more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and isolation. What's more, managers can create a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce by providing access to counselling services, stress management programs, or free gym memberships. If an employee is struggling, it may help to provide more flexible working hours, adjust their duties, or develop a personalised wellness plan. Some team members may benefit from monthly group outings to socialise and connect with colleagues, too. Pay Close Attention to Upcoming Health & Safety Changes The UK's Health and Safety regulations are annually updated at some stage from April to October, which you must review to remain legally compliant. As companies are accessing more data than ever, and more employees are working from home, employers can expect enhanced requirements for digital reporting and a greater emphasis on mental health at work. Also, companies that fail to adhere to requirements are likely to face harsher penalties. Like this: Like Related
