Latest news with #Legionella
Time Business News
19 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be reviewed regularly and at least every two years or if there is reason to believe that the current assessment is no longer valid.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
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
Severe disease alert issued for NSW after Legionnaires' outbreak detected among people in inner-Sydney suburb
Health officials have warned locals and anyone who has visited an inner-city Sydney suburb to look out for Legionnaires' disease following an outbreak of the illness. People who have been in the area of Potts Point in the past 10 days should be aware of symptoms of the disease, which include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath. Three people aged between their 40s and 70s have recently developed the illness and are not known to each other. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said all three people are now in hospital. 'People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,' Dr Sheppeard said. 'Legionnaires' disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia. 'People who develop this disease are diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital. Those most at risk are elderly people, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and people who smoke.' Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by species of Legionella bacteria. It can't spread from person to person. Outbreaks can occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers above large buildings become contaminated. The state's environmental health officers are working closely with the City of Sydney and have inspected and sampled all cooling towers within 500 metres of the homes of residents. All managers of cooling water systems in the area of investigation have been informed to disinfect their systems. Building owners should ensure cooling towers on their sites are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Australia health emergency: Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney's Potts Point, 3 hospitalised; symptoms and how to stay safe
Health authorities have issued a public warning after three people were hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Potts Point, prompting fears of a possible airborne outbreak linked to contaminated cooling systems. The patients aged between their 40s and 70s do not know each other, yet all developed the same bacterial infection within a short period. They are now receiving treatment in the hospital, according to Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit. 'People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,' Dr Sheppeard said. NSW Health is urging anyone who has visited or lives in Potts Point over the past 10 days to remain alert for symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath, hallmark signs of Legionnaires' disease. The illness may take up to 10 days to develop after exposure. What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. It's not spread from person to person. Instead, the bacteria thrive in stagnant water systems, particularly cooling towers used in air conditioning, and spread when microscopic droplets become airborne. Live Events It is especially dangerous for older adults, smokers, and individuals with underlying lung or immune conditions. Diagnosis typically requires a chest X-ray, urine or sputum test, and hospital-based antibiotic treatment. While no source has yet been confirmed in the Potts Point outbreak, NSW Health is conducting a thorough inspection of cooling towers in the area and has reminded building owners to comply with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022, which mandates regular maintenance and testing of cooling systems. Residents are scared Potts Point residents are understandably concerned. Jane Harris*, 66, who lives in a nearby apartment building, said she began experiencing a light cough two days ago. 'I thought it was just the weather turning. But now I'm watching every breath. It's scary, honestly,' she said. Café owner Mark Talbot*, who works a few blocks from where one case was confirmed, has ordered professional cleaners to inspect his building's ventilation. 'We can't take chances. Customers ask if it's safe to sit inside. I can't blame them,' he said. Health Advice Anyone who was in Potts Point between June 8–18 and experiences symptoms is urged to seek medical attention immediately. While treatable, delays in care can be dangerous, particularly for vulnerable populations. This is the second outbreak in Sydney this year. In a separate incident earlier in 2025, 12 people were infected and one died after exposure to the same bacteria in the city's CBD. That outbreak was eventually traced to a contaminated cooling tower, which has since been decontaminated. Sydney residents are being urged not to panic, but to remain cautious and informed. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Major warning over Legionnaires' disease outbreak after three Potts Points residents admitted to hospital
A major health warning has been issued after three people were hospitalised with Legionnaires' disease in NSW. Three people living in Potts Point, in central Sydney, have recently developed the disease. The people, aged in their 40s to 70s, are not known to each other. Legionnaires' disease is contracted by exposure to Legionella bacteria, and outbreaks can occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated. The disease is not spread from person to person. 'People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,' South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Director Vicky Sheppeard said. 'Legionnaires' disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure,' Dr Sheppeard said. 'Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia. 'People who develop this disease are diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital. 'Those most at risk are elderly people, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and people who smoke.' NSW Health and City of Sydney have inspected and sampled all cooling towers within 500 metres of the infected residents' homes, and have requested that all cooling water systems in the broad investigation area be disinfected. 'Building owners should ensure that their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022,' NSW Health said. NSW Health urged anyone experiencing symptoms of illness to seek medical advice.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Monitor for symptoms: Health warning issued after Sydney outbreak of Legionnaires' disease
Health authorities are investigating another potential outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Sydney's inner city after three Potts Point residents developed the severe lung infection, which is caused by waterborne bacteria. Anyone who has been in the Potts Point area in the past 10 days should monitor for symptoms which include fever, chills, and shortness of breath, NSW Health said in an alert issued on Thursday. The three people who contracted the infection ranged in age from their 40s to 70s, and do not know each other. All three have been admitted to hospital, said Dr Vicky Sheppeard from South East Sydney Local Health District. 'Those most at risk are elderly people, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and people who smoke,' Sheppeard said. Loading The disease is caused by infection by the Legionella bacteria. It cannot spread from person to person, but people can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system, such as those found on top of large buildings, are emitted into the air and inhaled. NSW Health environmental officers and the City of Sydney inspected and sampled all cooling towers within 500 metres of the residents' homes. They have also asked local businesses and building managers to disinfect their water cooling systems. The disease can develop up to 10 days from first exposure, and can lead to severe chest infections and pneumonia. It is diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray, and usually requires antibiotic treatment in hospital.
