We will do all that is reasonably practicable to protect employees, visitors and neighbours from hazards arising from the use and distribution of water services in all our owned or leased premises.
This will be achieved through full compliance with all statutory requirements of current relevant legislation, British and European standards, codes of practice and guidance notes.
To achieve the effective implementation of this policy, we will carry out a risk assessment for the operation of our water services and ensure that any legionella risks are either prevented or adequately controlled. We will take action where the level of control requires improvement. The risk assessment will be reviewed regularly or whenever there is any reason to suspect that it is no longer valid.
We will consider removing or replacing equipment or facilities that may present a legionellosis risk as preventative action. Where it is impracticable to eliminate all risk by removing or replacing the equipment or facility, we will implement suitable precautionary measures. We will document and regularly monitor these measures to ensure the risks are minimised. This we regard as control action.
We will specify that contractors only use products registered under the following schemes within our water systems.
Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) http://www.wras.co.uk/
Fittings that bear the relevant British Standards Kitemark
Products from companies who are on the BSI register of “Firms of Assessed Capability" and assessed to the relevant part of ISO 9000.
A water management system will be implemented that takes into account the risk assessment and any relevant best practice guidelines. The monitoring tasks required and their frequencies will be found within this system.
We will ensure that all employees and contractors are aware of their legal responsibilities and duties, and training will be provided to ensure that this is communicated. The implementation of this policy is a mutual objective for management and all employees in our premises.
References
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR)
Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance, Part 1: The control of Legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems. (HSG 274 Part 1)
Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance, Part 2: The control of Legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems. (HSG 274 Part 2)
Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance, Part 3: The control of Legionella bacteria in other systems. (HSG 274 Part 3)