Legionnella Control For Holiday Accomodation
Help protect your Guests in hotels, caravan parks and airBNB
What is Legionnaires Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by inhaling infected droplets of water. Legionella bacteria is found in nature, but particularly likes to propagate in man-made structures like showers and storage tanks, with certain conditions such as stagnation, poor temperatures and nutrient availability adding to the risk.
What steps must I take?
The Law requires that you make efforts to ensure suitable precautions are taken to mitigate the risk of exposure to legionella ‘so far as reasonably practicable’. This includes a legionella risk assessment for all of the following premises:
• Hotels
• Caravan Parks
• AirBNB's & holiday lettings
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Boat rentals, such as canal boats
• Lodges/Motels
• Any location with a hot tub which is open to public use
I have a legionella risk assessment. What next?
Once you have a valid risk assessment, you must then demonstrate how you are maintaining the water system in a safe state. This will usually be in the form of a Written Scheme of Control for larger premises, such as hotels and caravan parks. But for most holiday house lettings, the risk assessment itself would be enough, unless this identifies higher risks.
We operate a caravan park, what other steps must we take?
Caravan parks are often unique. They may also be closed to the public, or open for public vacationers to rent vans. Regardless of your client base, you will need to address the following issues:
• Water tank cleaning - You will likely have a Regulation 8 water supply. This is mains water which requires testing each year, and tanks may require disinfection before the season commences. The number of tests will depend on how much water is used.
• Written Scheme of Control - Due to the nature of the water distribution network a detailed control document is required. A privately owned static van which goes unused for 3 months, becomes a deadleg, and a major hazard, as does the shower next to the pool.
• Outlet flushing - All outlets are required to be flushed at least weekly. This will include each branched connection to vans, each standpipe, showers, toilets, etc.
• Swimming pools - As per HSG282, you are legally required to perform both chemical and microbiological testing. Under the regulations, Legionella must be tested at least quarterly, and bacteria tested monthly.
• Hot tubs - Often overlooked, hot tubs require the same level of testing as for pools, but are considered a much higher health risk. They will often require additional cleaning methods.
• Shower blocks - Shower head, hoses and taps must be disinfected and descaled to ensure safe use. This is normally a specialist job as normal cleaning agents are insufficient for the task.
Steps to protect Holiday Guestss
Risk Assessment
The first step in meeting Legionella compliance is to undertake a legionella risk assessment. This is your primary guidance document and will identify any potential risks from Legionella posed by your water systems.
Remedial Actions
Following your risk assessment, you might have a list of actions needed in order to bring your systems into compliance. This also proves the system starts off clean.
Monitoring
You've assessed risks, cleaned the system, now you need to demonstrate that you can keep it clean and free from bacteria by monitoring, servicing and sanitising the system per a schedule.
Tank Cleaning
Tanks for regulation 8 supplies must be cleaned and disinfected to ensure the water around caravan parks and campsites is safe to use.
Spa Pool Testing
Pools, spas and hot tubs must undergo a minimum of quarterly legionella, and monthly bacterial testing, as per the regulations.
Disinfection & Descale
Shower heads and taps should undergo regular descaling and disinfection activities to prevent building up of bacteria.
Record Keeping
Record keeping is a subject in which many businesses fall short of the law. From risk assessment to written scheme, the requirements to keep accurate records is paramount.
Evergreening
The need for continuous improvement is a key area the HSE will review in the event of an outbreak in the local area. Service plans cover the need for both ongoing and periodic review.
Training
All people involved in the control of legionella will require training. Some will need Duty Holder levels, and others Awareness levels. We will help ensure the right people are trained.
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