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Temperature Instrumentation

Health and Safety at Work Week 2015 - How to Stop Legionella

This week is Health and Safety at Work Week and to mark it we're releasing a series of blog articles addressing some of the key ways we feel you can make sure you're keep safe and healthy at work.

Health and Safety at Work Week has the aim of "inspiring employers and employees to embrace health in the workplace by instigating initiatives and programmes throughout the year." (Source)

health and safety at work week legionnaire's disease

To start this series from us we'll be focusing on legionella bacteria and how to keep you - and your staff - safe.

What is Legionnaires’ Disease?

According to the HSE:

Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including the most serious Legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.

Source

The key point from the above quote is the significant health risk associated with the legionella bacteria. In order to be protected against this bacteria which causes Legionnaires' Disease a vital health and safety kit, is the ETI Legionnaires' Thermometer Kit.

How to Be Protected From Legionella Bacteria

ETI Legionnaires' Thermometer KitIncorrect water temperature is a risk factor for the growth for legionella.  For example, bacteria multiply in water with temperatures between 20 to 45°C and this is more likely to occur if a supply of nutrients is present, such as scale, rust, sludge or algae.

That's where the ETI kit comes in.

It can be used to monitor and test the temperature of both standing water and the surface of pipes and tanks that form part of the water system to make sure the water isn't being stored below 20°C (for cold), or above 60°C and distributed at above 50°C if hot.

Who is at Risk From Legionnaires' Disease?

The Health and Safety Executive has a comprehensive guide to at risk workplaces on it's site, and it states:

The most common sources of legionella are in man-made water systems including:

Source

What precautions should employers take? Asides from having a proper testing kit, like the ETI Legionnaires' Thermometer Kitproper eduction is important. That means you should fully understand what can cause the legionella bacteria to occur, as we've explained above.

ETI Legionnaires' Thermometer Kit

In addition, risk assessment should be carried out. As the HSE states:

A simple risk assessment may show that the risks are low and being properly managed to comply with the law.  If such cases, your assessment may be complete and you may not need to take any further action, but it is important to review your assessment regularly in case anything changes in your system.

Source

Again, that's where an adequate testing kit plays it's part, and its very easy to use. When carrying out Legionella testing, the immersion probe contained in the kit should be placed in the water to a minimum depth of 25mm.  The ribbon surface probe may be used to take the temperature of pipes and tanks, whereas the wire probe can be used to reach awkward places or where the use of other probes may not be appropriate. And the kit carries a traceable calibration certificate.

How to Test for Legionella Bacteria

Obviously, in addition to having a robust, but simple, risk assessment, proper testing is essential. The HSE has a comprehensive FAQ on the subject, which you can find here, which covers:

  • how should carry out the test
  • how to perform the test
  • how often it should be carried out
  • how to interpret the result of the test

If you have any questions Legionarres' Disease and the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Week, get in touch with us using the comments section below, or use our LiveChat to talk to one of our experts.

we support health and safety week 2015

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