Environmental Water Solutions
31/03/14 - Care home fined after failing to notify regulators of positive Legionella result
A care home has been fined after it failed to notify the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it had received a positive test for Legionella bacteria. Although there was not an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease, failure to notify regulators carries a penalty notice.
The care home was new and not all areas were occupied and commissioned, so no residents were at risk. The tests were carried out as a 'proactive measure' and as soon as the result was received, the system was chlorinated.
See the full article here.
03/02/14 - Pyramids in Southsea reopens after Legionella detection
On Thursday, Legionella bacteria was detected in the Pyramids in Southsea. While further investigations and a chlorination took place, the building was closed for two days. A spokesperson for the building confirmed the Legionella bacteria had been eradicated and the water quality will continue to be monitored.
03/12/13 - Updates to ACoP L8 summarised
Last month the newly updated and revised version of ACoP L8 was published and we outlined the basic differences in our previous post.
This week, Legionella Control International have published their findings after they conducted an in depth review of the new ACoP L8 together with its supporting documents. They summarised their findings in an article you can find here, which is well worth a read as it tells you where the changes have been made.
25/11/13 - Revised and updated ACoP L8 available from the HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published the first edition of the 'Legionnaires' Disease Approved Code of Practice and Guidance' in 1991 and there have been several revisions since. The technical guidance in the third edition was 13 years old and deemed to be out of date so the HSE, in conjunction with the Industry Review Group, revised and updated it.
In this, the fourth edition, the technical guidance has been removed and made available separately online. This will allow clarification for dutyholders on what is a legal requirement and what is guidance. Some terminology has also been simplified.
The document has also been updated to include up to date technical information and advances in technology. It contains information about:
- Identifying and assessing risk
- Creating a control regime
- Implementing, managing and monitoring control schemes
- Record keeping
- Appointing a responsible person, deputy etc.
There have been no legislative changes or alterations to any legal responsibilities to protect the health and safety of employees or the public.
To read the full article from the HSE, click here.
To buy or download the ACoP L8 for free, click here.
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