Legionella prevention at work
Does your workplace have a system that uses sanitary or process water? In that case, Legionella growth is a risk. This bacteria can cause serious health problems if contaminated water vapour is inhaled.
Cooling towers and humidifiers also pose a special risk. Likewise for other systems with fresh water or water-atomising connections.
Use a risk assessment, a clear management plan and training to keep everything under control. Our experts will get you started.
Create a Legionella management plan
On this page:
- What is Legionella?
- What is Legionnaire’s disease?
- What does the law say about Legionella prevention?
- What does a Legionella management plan entail?
- How do you prevent Legionella in your water system?
- What steps should you take if people become infected with Legionella?
- How can IDEWE support you in preventing Legionella contamination?
What is Legionella?
Legionella bacteria occur in nature and therefore in (drinking) water systems as well. Under the wrong conditions, the bacteria can multiply at lightning speed. When the water contains high levels of Legionella, this constitutes a risk if the water is atomised. Examples:
- Water in certain parts of a water system stands still for a long time. This can happen if taps are seldom used, for example. Water is trapped and doesn’t move at certain locations. The system may also be poorly designed, preventing a rapid flow of water.
- The temperature of the water remains between 25 and 55 °C, ideal conditions for Legionella growth. This can be the case for humidifiers, cooling towers, water heaters (boilers), supply lines to (emergency) showers, baths, whirlpools, fire reels, water tanks and large circulation loops.
- When poorly insulated cold water pipes heat up, they can reach temperatures that are ideal for Legionella growth.
How does Legionella infection occur? Through the inhalation of water vapour containing Legionella. Exposure can occur in the shower or near a fountain or humidifier. This can cause an infection, or Legionnaire’s disease.
What is Legionnaire’s disease?
Have you become infected with Legionella bacteria? In that case, you are at risk of Legionnaire’s disease. This is a serious lung infection that can even be fatal. It is especially dangerous for the elderly or people with a weakened immune system. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, coughing and shortness of breath.
What does the law say about Legionella prevention?
In Flanders, a Legionella Decree is in force. This decree requires the creation of a Legionella management plan for sanitary facilities by schools, sports centres, healthcare facilities, swimming pools and any other public facilities at moderate or high risk.
The legislation applies to all buildings where inhalation of aerosolised droplets by the public is possible. Be aware that in Flanders, these requirements always apply for cooling towers, even if the towers are not installed at a public institution or business.
The Codex on Wellbeing at Work states that even employers without any publicly accessible buildings must conduct a Legionella risk assessment as part of their overall prevention policy. In that case, Legionella management is included in the company’s overall risk assessment.
What does a Legionella management plan entail?
A Legionella management plan consists of two parts:
- Technical description and Legionella risk assessment – Describe your distribution networks for sanitary water and process water. Identify areas with standing water and/or temperatures between 25 and 55 °C. This determines the points at which Legionella can grow or infect people if the water is atomised.
- Management programme – Your management programme outlines the measures you are taking to reduce or eliminate your Legionella risk. It also describes what you are doing to prevent people’s exposure to contaminated water vapour.
A Legionella management plan must be revised every five years. Have there been any changes to your system or in its use? This, too, requires a revision of your plan.
Want to control Legionella effectively? Make an appointment to create a legionella management plan with our experts. They will map out your system and carry out a risk assessment.
How do you prevent Legionella in your water system?
Legionella grows explosively in standing water at temperatures between 25 and 55 °C. At temperatures over 60 °C, the bacteria die quite fast. Legionella management aims to keep the water in all parts of a system out of the risky temperature range and ensure the water is refreshed with sufficient frequency.
Protect your water system against Legionella:
- Structural measures – For example, provide cold water pipes with sufficient insulation to prevent the pipes from heating. Replace old water heaters. Remove any pipes that are not being used. Construct new systems and system components according to the Best Available Technology.
- Control measures – Create a schedule for temperature measurements and take regular water samples.
- Prevention measures – Ensure that water heaters are set above 60 °C and that the entire hot water distribution system remains above 55 °C. Establish a fixed flushing schedule for any points that are rarely used. Carry out maintenance at regular intervals.
What steps should you take if people become infected with Legionella?
Has anyone contracted Legionnaire’s disease? Report such cases to the identifying physician at the Flanders Health department. Contamination means you must take appropriate measures and is also a good opportunity to improve your protection.
- Follow the Flemish Legionella Decree’s step-by-step plan to control Legionella growth once identified in a system. This usually involves disinfection and monitoring via water samples.
- Create a clear roadmap for Legionella outbreaks, from notification and investigation to follow-up. Track down the root cause and eliminate it if possible.
- Are you measuring very high concentrations*? These must be reported to the Flemish Department of Health.
*Very high concentrations are values of more than 100,000 CFU/l.
How can IDEWE support you in preventing Legionella contamination?
Let our experienced Legionella experts help you:
- support with a new installation’s design verification and delivery according to the Best Available Technology
- Legionella risk assessments for new and existing systems (sanitary facilities, cooling towers, industrial processes, etc.)
- Preparation of a Legionella management plan for new or existing systems
- Water sampling and temperature measurements
Don’t give Legionella a chance.
Want to address Legionella step by step, from a risk assessment to a management plan and from measurement to training?