Businesses risk fuelling Legionnaires’ disease without vital post-lockdown water checks
Businesses are being urged to carry out vital safety processes to their water systems to avoid increasing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease as they reopen following the COVID-19 lockdown.
With hot and cold water systems out of action for several weeks, the chances of bacteria forming which can cause Legionnaires’ disease – a potentially fatal type of pneumonia – are much greater when businesses close for long periods.
This is combined with the potential for an increased number of people to be susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease due to a compromised respiratory system during or after infection with COVID-19.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which has published new guidance on Legionella for businesses reopening following the COVID-19 lockdown, says it is vital that additional controls are put into place before any water systems are used again.
Supported by the Local Government Association (LGA), CIEH’s new guidance highlights key risk factors, legal requirements, and sets out advice to businesses on ensuring their water supply is safe and ready to use.
In addition, CIEH has produced an on-demand webinar that provides an overview of the current situation and offers practical advice on how best to prevent Legionella outbreaks in closed buildings.
Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “"Businesses in the borough must take heed of the government guidance before using hot and cold water systems again, as restrictions ease and they move to open.
Water systems may have become stagnant over the last 9 weeks, leading to bacteria forming which can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a life-threatening illness. Please put the controls into place mentioned in the guidance before using your businesses water systems.”
Debbie Wood, CIEH Executive Director for Membership and External Affairs, said: “With a number of businesses either tentatively reopening or planning to do so over the next few weeks, it is vital that a second possible public health risk is avoided.
The perfect conditions have been created for the spread of Legionella in water systems. Before opening, it is essential that businesses properly consider these public health implications and take appropriate action by following our guidance.”
With hot and cold water systems out of action for several weeks, the chances of bacteria forming which can cause Legionnaires’ disease – a potentially fatal type of pneumonia – are much greater when businesses close for long periods.
This is combined with the potential for an increased number of people to be susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease due to a compromised respiratory system during or after infection with COVID-19.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which has published new guidance on Legionella for businesses reopening following the COVID-19 lockdown, says it is vital that additional controls are put into place before any water systems are used again.
Supported by the Local Government Association (LGA), CIEH’s new guidance highlights key risk factors, legal requirements, and sets out advice to businesses on ensuring their water supply is safe and ready to use.
In addition, CIEH has produced an on-demand webinar that provides an overview of the current situation and offers practical advice on how best to prevent Legionella outbreaks in closed buildings.
Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “"Businesses in the borough must take heed of the government guidance before using hot and cold water systems again, as restrictions ease and they move to open.
Water systems may have become stagnant over the last 9 weeks, leading to bacteria forming which can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a life-threatening illness. Please put the controls into place mentioned in the guidance before using your businesses water systems.”
Debbie Wood, CIEH Executive Director for Membership and External Affairs, said: “With a number of businesses either tentatively reopening or planning to do so over the next few weeks, it is vital that a second possible public health risk is avoided.
The perfect conditions have been created for the spread of Legionella in water systems. Before opening, it is essential that businesses properly consider these public health implications and take appropriate action by following our guidance.”
