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tanksetc,andthenthecompletionofappropriateremedialactionsasindicated
by thefindingsof themonitoringandcontrol regime.
Riskassessment isregarded asthesecondmostcommoncauseoffailings
resulting in the occurrence of outbreaks. This gives an indication of the
importanceof gettingaquality riskassessment completedonawater system
in abuildingor factory.Without the risk assessment being a complete audit
andreviewof theway inwhichwater isprocessedandused inapremises,and
of then assessing the risk associatedwith these processes, then the ongoing
control scheme is likely tobeflawed.
There can be a variation in the quality of risk assessments delivered by
providers. In an effort to improve the overall quality of risk assessments in
theUK a British Standard, BS 8580:2010,Water quality –Risk assessments
for
Legionella
control – Code of practice was published in 2010. This
document outlines theminimumexpectations aclient shouldhave for a risk
assessment. It shouldbe remembered that in theUK, theenduser clienthas
the responsibilityof ensuring that the supplier that is chosen is competent to
complete the riskassessment task.
The third largest sector of “failing”which causes outbreaks is “Training
andCompetence”. Time and again, sitemanagement staff fail to recognise
the importanceof ensuring that the relevant employees are trained, and that
they have an awareness and an understanding of what is expected of them
in the operation of thewater systems. A crucial part of training is helping
users understand themeaningof the findings and results of themonitoring
and control scheme, and of the implications of out of specification results.
Additionally, the training should cover what to do to remediate situations
where the riskposedby the
Legionella
organismmayhave increased.
