LEGIONELLA - 28.02.2018

Do you have an evaporative cooling system?

What are evaporative cooling systems?

Evaporative cooling systems (cooling towers and evaporative condensers) are used in air conditioning, manufacturing and electric power generation systems. These systems can provide the perfect conditions for the growth and dispersal of Legionella bacteria, e.g. warm temperature, large surface area and the production of large quantities of tiny water droplets (aerosols). Diligent management is therefore required in order to prevent an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

What’s the new guidance?

The guidance is entitled Control of Legionella: Inspection of evaporative cooling systems and investigation of outbreaks, clusters and single cases of Legionnaires’ disease (see The next step ). It has been produced for use by inspectors when enforcing standards at premises with evaporative cooling systems, and it describes what actions to take in the event of an outbreak.

Tip 1. If you have such systems this is worth a read but you must also get to grips with the HSE’s guidance for duty holders (see The next step ). Any visiting inspector will expect you to know about this document and its advice.

Tip 2. Although it’s likely that you use a specialist water hygiene contractor for your maintenance, dosing, cleaning and testing, to fulfil your duty you must still monitor that they are doing the work contracted.

Inspections

The guidance for inspectors explains that there is no requirement for inspectors to physically visit all cooling towers/condensers. But whilst they’re not given targets to inspect all installations, you could be selected for a visit either as part of a sampling exercise or due to past concerns.

Tip 1. Expect any health and safety inspection to be pre-arranged unless it is during an outbreak. This is to ensure that the necessary site personnel are available and arrangements can be made to facilitate physical inspection of the system(s).

Tip 2. Ensure that all relevant paperwork such as the written control scheme, risk assessment and monitoring data are available at all times on site in case of an inspection. Periodically check that these records are being kept up to date.

Outbreaks

The guidance states that if a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases is identified, businesses could receive an unannounced visit and be asked to shut down their equipment at short notice.

Tip. If you have a cooling tower or evaporative condenser, you must register with your local council under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 . If you don’t and you’re found out - likely during an outbreak in your vicinity - it could well lead to enforcement action. You must also notify the council if you make changes to the equipment or if it becomes redundant or is dismantled.

For the HSE’s internal operations guidance and guidance for duty holders, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 16.12.05).