What is Legionairres disease?
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. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection.
The risk increases with age, but some people are at higher risk, e.g.:
-People over 45,
-Smokers and heavy drinkers,
-People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease, diabetes, lung and heart disease or anyone with an impaired immune system.
Legionnaires’ disease is normally contracted by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols), suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. A suitable and sufficient assessment must be carried out to identify and assess the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria from work activities and water systems on the premises and any precautionary measures needed. The dutyholder is responsible for ensuring the risk assessment is carried out. (Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8).
Your responsibilities!
The law is clear that if you are a landlord and rent out your property (or even a room within your own home) then you have legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of your tenant by keeping the property safe and free from health hazards.
As an employer, or a person in control of the premises, you are responsible for health and safety and need to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella.
If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including landlords, you must understand the health risks associated with legionella.
If a tenant were to contract Legionnaires’ disease from the water system in their home, the landlord may be liable to prosecution under HSWA, and would have to demonstrate to a court that they had fulfilled their legal duty, so it is important that they assess and control the risks. (www.hse.gov.uk)
Legislation relevant to Legionairres' disease can be found below;
-Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37
-Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made
-The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2677/contents/made
-The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1471/contents
Why choose us?
At Bain Property Services we specialise in Legionella Risk Assessments, Portable Appliance Testing, Inventory Reports and Domestic Energy Assessments. All Legionella assessments will be carried out by a ABBE Level 3 Legionella Risk Assessor accredited by Elmhurst Energy. Our Legionella Risk Assessments provide you with everything you need from photographic evidence to recommendations on how to control Legionnaires. We even provide you with all of the documentation you require on the same day that the work is carried out! We are the perfect service for landlords/letting agents and deal with such on a daily basis. Providing excellent prices for the highest quality of service. At Bain Property Services our clients are the priority! We understand that you may have a busy calendar, so that's why we will go the extra mile to find a time that suits you - Be it in the evening, weekends or even bank holidays.
