Element’s highly qualified occupational hygienists perform a comprehensive legionella risk assessment and legionella testing services to protect the public from potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease and ensure compliance with Legionella control regulations.  
 

What is a legionella risk assessment?

Legionella risk assessments evaluate water sources for the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease. Water sources require monitoring for the presence of the Legionella pneumophilia bacteria and must undergo thorough Legionella risk assessments to ensure that they are not a danger to the public.
 

What is Legionella bacteria?

Legionella bacteria is naturally found in lakes, ponds, and streams. At low levels, the bacteria is extremely unlikely to cause Legionnaires’ disease, but in favorable conditions the concentration of bacteria can increase, making the Legionnaires’ risk much higher. 
 

Is a legionella risk assessment a legal requirement?

Yes, there is a legal obligation to carry out a legionella risk assessment of the water systems in any workplace or business premises. The legal requirement is stated under various legislation including:
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)

Other legislation (not an exhaustive list) relating to the control of legionella in the workplace includes:

  • Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations
  • Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
 

Our Legionella risk assessment report

Our occupational hygienists produce Legionella bacteria risk assessment reports that outline the risk of exposure to Legionella from the hot and cold water systems. We recommend the necessary control measures and water treatment programs to minimize the risks of exposure to Legionella.
The Legionella risk assessment report is customized to the site but is typically structured as follows:
  • Executive Summary (including any remedial control actions or requirements for ongoing management, Legionella monitoring, or training)
  • Introduction
  • The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems
  • Assessment Procedure
  • Description of Water Systems
  • Appendix 1 Risk Assessments
  • Appendix 2 Asset List and Temperature Measurements
  • Appendix 3 Photographs
  • Appendix 4 Schematics
  • Appendix 5 HSG274 Part 2 and Part 3 Checklists
  • Appendix 6 Example of Monitoring Check Sheets and Procedures
  • Appendix 7 Example of Written Preventative Scheme

 

Our Legionella risk assessment services

We offer Legionella testing and Total Viable Count (TVC) water sampling to indicate heterotrophic organisms' total level (fungi, yeasts, molds, and bacteria) within a sample. TVC sampling shows general contamination within a system, determining if further investigation or remedial action is necessary.

 

LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE UK

In the UK, our team of qualified occupational hygienists, all of whom are members of the British Occupational Hygiene Society, carry out Legionella risk assessments following the Health & Safety Executive's Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8, and their supporting Health and Safety Guidance HSG274.

 

LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT AND LEGIONELLA TESTING IN THE US

In the US, Element’s Lafayette, LA, laboratory provides environmental analytical and bioassay testing services, offering clients one-stop access to testing for several programs, including NPDES GMG 290000, NCP Product Schedule testing, and Legionella testing. Our lab uses the Legiolert testing method for comprehensive Legionella monitoring.

 

LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT AND LEGIONELLA TESTING IN THE MIDDLE EAST & ASIA

We also offer ISO 17025-accredited Legionella testing services in our Dubai (UAE), Doha (Qatar), and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) laboratories, and can provide certain Legionella testing services through our Mumbai (India) and Singapore facilities.

 

The Element advantage

Element has a global network of ISO 17025-accredited water testing laboratories to provide you with a range of comprehensive legionella risk assessment services. Our teams of highly experienced and qualified occupational hygienists help you identify potential risks and introduce effective measures to ensure compliance and safety. 

For more information about our Legionella risk assessment services, contact us today.

  • Units - MPN/100 mL, (MPN – Most Probable Number)
  • Reporting limit – 10 MPN/100 mL
  • Holding time – 30 hours from collection to incubation
  • Sample volume – one 100 mL sterile container containing sodium thiosulfate to neutralize up to 5 mg/L chlorine (the same container that we use for fecal coliform)
  • Storage – Refrigerate at a temperature < 10°C, but not frozen, during transit to the laboratory.

 

What is Legionella bacteria?

Legionella bacteria is naturally found in lakes, ponds, and streams. At low levels, the bacteria is extremely unlikely to cause Legionnaires’ disease, but in favorable conditions the concentration of bacteria can increase, making the Legionnaires’ risk much higher.

How often should a legionella risk assessment be undertaken?

The frequency for the risk assessment varies greatly depending on the risks and systems involved but typically ranges from quarterly for open sources (cooling towers, evaporative condensers) to 2 yearly for more basic systems with low risk. Any significant changes require a review and update of a risk assessment.

Workplace Monitoring and Assessments

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