The HSE has issued a brief guide for duty holders with regard to Legionnaires’ disease. The leaflet is aimed at employers and people in control of premises, e.g. landlords, where man-made water systems are used that could be a potential source for legionella bacteria growth.

It will help you to understand the health risks associated with legionella. Legionellosis is the collective name given to the pneumonia-like illness caused by legionella bacteria. This includes the most serious Legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.

Remember there is also the duty Under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992,4 to notify the local authority, in writing, if you have a cooling tower or evaporative condenser on site and include details about where it is located. You must also tell them if/when such devices are no longer in use. Notification forms are available from your local environmental health department.

If you have a case of Legionellosis in an employee who has worked on cooling towers or hot water systems that are likely to be contaminated with legionella, you must report this under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

For further information and advice please contact Cardinus Property on 0207 469 0200 or email [email protected].