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Finally, “Cleaning and Disinfection” procedures were found to
contribute to a small percentage of outbreaks. In the UK the end user client
has the responsibility for ensuring that the chosen cleaning and disinfection
contractor is competent. There is the possibility that despite cleaning and
disinfection operations being completed, we are still seeing Legionnaires’
Disease outbreaks, as a result of cleaning and disinfection processes which
fall short of the quality expected to achieve a successful outcome and a
reduction in the level of risk. Indeed, there have been examples where poor
cleaning and disinfection procedures have led to increased risk and where
these insufficient or poorly completed procedures have been implicated in
causing cases of Legionnaires’ Disease.
Summary of the UK Situation
The UK has had guidance and legislation relating to
Legionella
since the
publication of the HSG70 document in 1991. Since this guidance has been
in place, the UK HSE has continued to police the levels of application of the
ACOP and guidance documents on sites across the UK. Where there have
been obvious failings discovered as a result of these visits, many of which
were made after outbreaks, but some made as proactive visits to sites, the HSE
have, in some cases, successfully prosecuted not only the sites involved, but
in some cases, the suppliers of the water treatment chemicals and equipment
and the water hygiene products and services.
However, despite the fact that the guidance has been in place since 1991,
it appears to have had little effect on the numbers of cases of Legionnaires’
Disease. Certainly, between 2000 and 2010, there appears to have been little
noticeable reduction in cases, with the number sticking generally between
