Legionella Awareness
E-Learning
20–30 min
Legionella is a type of water-borne bacteria that can often be found in harmlessly low numbers in ponds, rivers and lakes – there are over 40 different species of legionella bacteria. The bacteria can rapidly multiply to harmful quantities if they find their way into purpose-built systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth.
These systems include cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools which are used in both work and domestic premises.
Is Legionella training important?
Legionella training is a legal requirement for those with a level of responsibility for the prevention & control of legionella. The HSE write that:
“Inadequate management, lack of training and poor communication are all contributory factors in outbreaks of legionnaires’ disease. It is therefore important that the people involved in assessing risk and applying precautions are competent, trained and aware of their responsibilities.”
This Legionella training course summarises information in the ‘HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8 The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’ and also from from the following legislation:
- HSG274 Part 1: The control of legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems
- HSG274 Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems
- HSG 274 Part 3: The control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems
- Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
- The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers 1992
- The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
- Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
Safesmart delivers Legionella training for your organisation through Smartlog – our comprehensive health & safety compliance software.
Course Content
Legionella, Legionellosis & Legionnaires’ Disease – What legionella is, its susceptibility, the chain of infection, and the symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease.
Types of Water Systems – Cooling towers, domestic systems, evaporative, spa pools and other at-risk systems.
Legislation – Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), and more.
Legionella Risk Assessment – How to carry out a Legionella Risk Assessment, which is a legal requirement.
Legionella Control – Temperature control, stagnation control, biocide treatments, cleaning and disinfection.
Legionella Record Keeping – The reasons for keeping well-detailed records, and what to include in them.
This course contains test questions and issues a certificate upon completion.
