LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT

LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT 

Legionnaires’ disease (also called legionellosis) is a Lung infection (in general terms as pneumonia) that can create difficulty in breathing, respiratory failure, or even finally death. legionellosis infectious outbreaks are generally identical with exposure to water supplies contaminated with Legionella (such as air conditioners/HAVC/Cooling Towers etc.).

Main Causes of Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaires’ disease (LD) was first identified and detected in 1976 when an outbreak infected attendees of the American Legion (AL) convention. A family of bacterial organisms/ species is called Legionella develops Legionnaires’ disease. The most frequent cause of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is Legionella pneumophila, but Legionella species other than pneumophila exist and can also Develop illness. The Legionnaires’ disease’s organisms are a part of the environment. Mostly, Legionnaires’ organism (LD) grows best in a source of/warm water but can also grow in cool water supplies/channels.

Infections for Legionnaires’ Disease have been associated with contamination of the following water sources:

1. Water towers/evaporator condensers
2. Showerheads/faucets
3. Hot tubs
4. Ultrasonic misters
5. Humidifiers
6. Decorative fountains
7. Plumbing networks

Who Suffers Legionnaires’ Disease?

People are exposed to Legionella by breathing in (breathing in) water droplets that comprise the microorganism. Summer and early fall are the maximum not unusual instances of the year for infections to occur. Persons over 50 years of age, who are current or former smokers, those with chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease or diabetes, or those with a weak immune system (immunocompromised) are at a higher risk of infection. Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) is not spread from one person to another.

What are the Possible Indications and Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?

The indications and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to other types of pneumonia that are caused by bacteria. These include:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Cough
3. Fatigue
4. Decreased appetite
5. Fever
6. Chills
7. Muscle aches (also called ‘myalgias’)
8. Diarrhea
9. Headaches
10. Confusion
11. How is Legionnaires’ Disease diagnosed? 
12. Urine test

How is Legionnaires’ Disease Treated? 

Legionnaires’ disease can be treated using an antibiotic. anyhow, not all antibiotics are effective against Legionella. Your doctor or medical team must make the correct diagnosis to make sure that they prescribe a good working antibiotic. However, antibiotics that cover a variety of bacteria are generally prescribed until a complete and final diagnosis is made.

Hazard / Hazardous Situation

1. Pontiac fever
2. Legionnaire’s disease (a potentially fatal form of pneumonia
3. Building water systems and devices that might grow and spread Legionella include:
4. Showerheads and sink faucets
5. Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes)
6. Hot tubs
7. Decorative fountains and water features
8. Hot water tanks and heaters
9. Large, complex plumbing systems

Impact and Consequences

What would be the result of this risk & Who will affect it? Possible complications of Legionnaires’ disease include:

1. Lung failure
2. Death
3. Who Might be Affected?
4. Water Tank Cleaning 
5. MEP Technicians
6. public
7. Liberatory staff

Control Measures

A competent person with relevant skills, knowledge, and experience was identified to conduct a site-specific risk assessment Sources of the possible risk of Legionella were identified from work activities and water systems at the workplace. To consider:

1. Potential for Legionella growth e.g., water stagnation, sources of contamination, etc.
2. Potential for aerosol generation
3. Presence of susceptible persons
4. Adequacy of existing site management records and arrangements
5. Efficacy of existing preventative and control measures

Systems at greatest risk assessed, e.g., showers, cisterns, lawn sprinklers, firefighting systems – sprinklers or hoses, humidifiers in food cabinets, spray washing equipment, emergency showers, eyewash stations, etc. Written Procedure (s) in place to prevent and control risk from Legionella (Legionella control plan)

The Legionella Control plan contains:

1. Description of the water system and the safe and correct operation of the system and any relevant plant and equipment
2. An up-to-date schematic diagram of the system
3. Details of the tests and checks, e.g., temperature measurements, to be carried out, by whom and when and what records are kept and by whom
4. Details of the remedial action to be taken if the system is out of specification
5. Systems are in place for change control– i.e., updating the schematic diagrams if changes are made
6. The cold-water tank is fitted with a cover and insect screen(s) located in a cool place and protected from extremes of temperature appropriately.
7. Coldwater pipework insulated and kept away from heat sources
8. Coldwater storage holds enough for a day’s use only and has no build-up of scale or sludge
9. Hot water distribution pipes insulated Biocide treatments used for cooling towers
10. Hot water is stored above 60°C and distributed at above 50°C. Water was kept below 20°C and checks recorded
11. Water storage tanks are checked and cleaned, any build-up of sludge/slime is cleaned, and tanks are disinfected annually
12. Records of flushing and purging are kept
13. Showerheads are cleaned, descaled, and disinfected quarterly following documented procedures and records kept
14. There are arrangements in place for little-used outlets, to either:
15. Flush through showers/ taps/emergency showers and all other sources arising on at least a weekly basis
16. Carry out a safe purge of the water system before use e.g., before reopening after the summer holidays
17. A competent ‘Responsible person’ and deputy identified to oversee the Legionella control plan
18. Relevant staff have been provided with instruction and training on legionella control
19. Records kept of all checks and tests and reviewed to ensure the Legionella control plan is effective
20. All test and inspection records are kept for 5 years

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