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.
Any water system, with the right environmental conditions, could be a source for legionella bacteria growth. There is a reasonably foreseeable legionella risk if your water system:
has a water temperature between 20–45 °C
creates and/or spreads breathable droplets, e.g. aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets
stores and/or re-circulates water
likely to contain a source of nutrients for the organism to grow, e.g. rust, sludge, scale, organic matter and biofilms
The most common sources of legionella are in man-made water systems including:
cooling tower and evaporative condensers
hot and cold water systems
There are also a number of other potential risk systems that may pose a risk to exposure to legionella:
humidifiers
emergency showers
Investigations in to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease by safety regulators around the world have consistently shown that legionella training and staff competence are critical components in any effective workplace risk reduction programme.
If you require an understanding of Legionella, the risk posed by this bacteria, and what can be done to minimise the risk, why not attend a Legionella Awareness Course.
For more information, or to book a course, feel free to get in contact:
01782 438813
hello@youcandoit.training
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