A legionella audit is a review of an organisation’s legionella scheme of precautions, its routine monitoring and inspections and competence in order to determine whether the organisation is compliant with current legislation and guidance.
This can be well deployed between the organisation’s frequency of physical risk assessments to give the responsible person a clear view on where the organisation is with regards to compliance, competency issues and its monitoring regime and record keeping.
ACoP L8 Para. 65
For precautions to remain effective, the condition and performance of the system will need to be monitored. The appointed responsible person should oversee and manage this. Or, where appropriate, an external contractor or an independent third party can do it. Management should involve:
(a) checking the performance and operation of the system and its component parts
(b) inspecting the accessible parts of the system for damage and signs of contamination
(c) monitoring to ensure that the treatment regime continues to control to the required standard
Overview
The process is very simple and offers minimum disruption. A consultant will visit your premises and audit the management system:
- Is the scheme of precautions and lines of communication are in place and working effectively
- Is there a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and have remedial actions been completed
- Training records/competency
- Status of remedial actions from the risk assessment
- Are monitoring records complete and up to date
- Contractor control
This can be done remotely but for best results it is better face to face
Legislative Cascade
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)
The Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensors Regulations 1992
ACoP and Guidance L8 2013
HSG 274 Technical Guidance
BS 8580-1:2019
HTM 04-01
HTM 01-05
HSG 220 Care Homes
HSG 282 Spa Pools
