Download Legionella Awareness..

Survey
yes no Was this document useful for you?
   Thank you for your participation!

* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project

Document related concepts
Transcript
Legionella control in the
University of Sheffield
Legionella Awareness for
Departmental representatives
What is Legionella?
 A naturally occurring
bacterium
 Found in most water
systems
 Often present in mains
water
 Easily colonises most
domestic water systems –
hot and cold
Requirements for Growth?
 Optimum temperature
range of 20 - 45 ⁰C
 Food source (other bacteria
& sediments)
 Prefers stagnant conditions
Route of Infection?
 Primarily through inhalation
of aerosols, fine droplets &
mists
 Can be contracted by choking
on contaminated water
 Statistically most susceptible
- 50 to 70 year olds
- Males
- Smokers
How big a risk?
Legionnaire’s Disease
 Potentially fatal form of pneumonia –
5-30% fatality rate
 200-300 cases of infection in England
& Wales annually
 Incubation period 2-10 days typically 3-6days
 Legionella pneumophila – 23 sub types
 HSE view Legionnaire's Disease as
“preventable” assuming management
failure!
Legionnaire's Disease
Legislation
 The Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974
 Management of Health &
Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
 COSHH 2002
 ACOP L8 (see front
cover)
L8 Guide to Successful Control
Requires:
Management regime in place
Risk Assessments
Control regime
Maintenance and upgrade
Review
Risk Assessments should:
 Identify & quantify relevant wet systems plus
equipment holding / circulating water
 Assess potential for Legionella growth
 Identify who is at risk
 Assess the potential for bacterial transfer
 Quantify and prioritise the risks
 Determine suitable means of control
UoS Responsibilities 1
 Statutory Duty Holder who is ultimately
responsible – Registrar & Secretary
 Appointed Responsible Person for day to day
management – Director of Estates
 Deputy Responsible Person to cover holidays
and illness – Head of Engineering Operations
 Responsibility cannot be delegated
UoS Responsibilities 2
 Policy for the Control of Legionella bacteria
 Management structure in place with
Contractors charged with carrying out:  Legionella Risk assessments of all buildings
 Treatment of water assets where required
 Sampling and analysis of water systems
 Remedial works incl. removing “dead-legs”
 5 Zones - Engineers managing Contractors
Current Position
 Current regime in place for > 2 years
 95% buildings assessed (some low risk o/s)
 Current costs ~ £250,000 pa
 Monitoring of sample results on-line
 Legionella Procedures Manual in place
 Legionella Control Steering Group – 3 meetings
per year chaired by Prof R F Jackson
 Policy and Procedures on Safety Services
website
Typical Systems at Risk
 Cooling Towers
 Domestic hot & cold water systems
 Water features incl. ornamental fountains
 Equipment producing aerosols, mists or
droplets from stored water sources including
showers & humidifiers
 Equipment holding / circulating
water at 20 - 45⁰ C
Examples of lab & workshop equipment
 Water tanks & baths
 Spray taps
 Water recirculation systems for cooling
 Rarely used taps & showers (even at home)
 Misting equipment
 Dentistry tools
 Oil / water emulsions for
lubricating lathes
 Mobile AC equipment with water
Controlling Legionella bacteria
 Temperature monitoring
 Controlled release of water spray
 Avoid temp. conditions 20 - 45⁰ C
 Avoid water stagnation - empty & clean regularly
 Avoid materials which harbour bacteria
 Maintain cleanliness of spray outlets
 Water treatment where necessary
 Ensure correct & safe operation of system
 Flushing regime for rarely-used outlets
What Departments need to do - 1
 Identify a Nominated Person to help you
manage Legionella risks in your Department
 Identify & record all :  water-containing equipment which
operates in the temperature range 20-45⁰C
 all rarely-used taps & showers
 all equipment supplied from stored water
sources producing sprays, mists or aerosols
 Assess the risk of Legionella growth in each
What Departments need to do - 2
 Check Legionella Procedures Manual for
information of the management of specific
items of laboratory equipment
 If your equipment is not listed, determine the
best means of reducing Legionella risks – if
needed, contact Department of Estates for
help
 Consider which treatment options are the
most appropriate from the next slide
Treatment / remedial options
 Monitor temperatures; 20-45⁰C = risk range
 Every 2 weeks - heat water to 60⁰C for 5 mins
 Add disinfectants / Chloros as advised
 Empty out the water system, thoroughly clean
& refill with fresh water every month
 Clean & disinfect spray heads every month
 Flush rarely-used outlets weekly
 Arrange with Estates for removal of “dead-legs”
 Arrange with Estates for samples to be taken if
risk exists (sampling is NOT a control measure –
it takes 10 days for results to be sent through –
it monitors whether your controls work)
Next step
 Record all actions taken and results
received.
 Review the efficacy of the
treatment regime by checking the
results of analyses received
 Re-assess the risk assessment if
there are any changes to the
operating parameters or the system
layout
Drinking water coolers
 2 types generally available:
 Using large bottles of mineral water
 Plumbed-in units
 Legionella is not reported to be a problem with
water bottle coolers, usually work outside “critical
temperature range”,
 1 reported instance of Legionella bacteria being
isolated from Activated Carbon filters in a
plumbed-in unit in New Zealand – replace as
recommended by manufacturer.
We hope you found this
information useful!