LEGIONELLA MANAGEMENT & CONTROL

LEGIONELLACEAE Legionella = aquatic bacteria Naturally widespread in the environment 52 different species identified (April 15) Half of which associated with human disease In excess of 70 serogroups. Legionella pneumophila – 96% cases Legionnaires’ Disease – 3 subspecies and 16 serogroups – LP Serogroup 1 = 84% of cases Legionnaires’ Disease

WHERE IS IT ACQUIRED?

MORTALITY BY SETTING

CHAIN OF EVENTS Bacteria present Water stagnation Nutrient source Temperature range 20-50°C Aerosol Susceptible individual

BACTERIA

STAGNATION

NUTRIENTS

TEMPERATURE

AEROSOL

SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE

CASE HISTORY Flower Show - The Netherlands Cases - 28 died Source - Whirlpool Spa exhibit Fed from hose 2012 Stoke on Trent – 21 cases, 3 deaths – JTF discount warehouse hot tub display – £200K out of court settlement – Prosecution being considered

HOME BIRTHING POOLS Jan 2014 – 1 month old baby in Texas dies June 2014 – UK infant contracts Legionnaires’ disease PHE Patient Safety Alert issued ‘heated birthing pools, filled in advance of labour and where the temperature is then maintained by use of a heater and pump, should not be used in the home setting’ Legionnaires’ disease is very rare in childhood 1 case in 0 to 9 year olds reported in England 1990 to 2011

PROSECUTIONS Aug 15 – Chromalloy UK £110,000 (£77,252) Aug 15 – Coilcolor Newport £75,000 (28,393) June 15 – Brighton & Sussex Hospital Trust £50,000 + £1.7M Sept 13 - NHS Basildon £100,000 (£175,000) Aug 13 - Mother Redcaps Care Home £40,000 Reading Borough Council being prosecuted Edinburgh Outbreak (2012) – decision not to prosecute

GUIDANCE – ACOP L8 (4 th edition) 2013 – HSG274 Part 1 - cooling water systems. Part 2 - hot and cold water systems Part 3 - other risk systems.

ACOP L8 REVISION Removal of technical guidance (HSG274) Scope and application expanded - spa pools Risk Assessment given ACOP status = greater authority Removal of requirement to review RA every two years “reviewed regularly or if there is a belief that it is no longer valid” Potential for “Responsible Person” to be an external party Dissemination of information & discussion with employees Review of control measures given ACOP status = greater authority Responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers expanded = more onerous

LOW RISK SITES DEFINED (a)in a small building without individuals especially ‘at risk’ (b) water usage is inevitable / sufficient to turn over entire system (c) cold water is directly from a wholesome mains supply (no CWST) (d)hot water is fed from instantaneous heaters or local volume (<15L) water heaters (supplying outlets at 50 °C) (e)the only outlets are toilets and wash hand basins (no showers).

HSG274 – Part 1 Focuses management on ‘desired outcomes’ Inspection frequencies based on system type Cleaning based on assessment rather than twice yearly - traffic light Need for pack removal based on practicability & inspection

HSG274 – Part 2 (hot water) Hot water - stored at 60°C + and distributed so that it reaches 50°C within one minute at the outlets. (55°C in healthcare, residential or care home premises) Water Heaters - frequency of inspection based on SIZE and TYPE – Greater than 15L requires monitoring monthly (including its sentinel outlets) – Tanks supplying combination water heaters need to go on the annual tank inspection regime.

HSG274 – Part 2 (hot water) Representative outlets - need only be monitored annually where sentinel outlets would not capture the temperature profile. Calorifiers – inspected on an annual basis or as dictated by the degree of fouling. – Remove hatch or use a boroscope and clean by draining the vessel. – Where there is no inspection hatch, purge debris in the base of the calorifier to a suitable drain. – Collect the initial flush from the base to inspect clarity, quantity of debris, and temperature.

HSG274 – Part 2 (CWST) Whenever the building use pattern changes, a record of the total cold water consumption over a typical day should be established to confirm that there is reasonable flow through the tank and that water is not stagnating. Water tank inspections and temperatures are now annual and ideally in summer.

HSG274 – Part 2 (TMVs) Risk assess whether the TMV fitting is required, and if not, remove Be installed within 2 meters of the outlet Where needed, inspect, clean, descale and disinfect any strainers or filters associated with TMVs On an annual basis the TMV will need a failsafe test – if it fails then a service will be required

HSG274 – LANDLORDS Landlords who provide residential accommodation…have a legal duty to ensure that the risk of exposure of tenants to legionella is properly assessed and controlled Landlords should inform tenants of the potential risk of exposure to legionella and its consequences and advise on any actions arising from the findings of the risk assessment Leaflets Notices / Stickers Newsletters Resident groups

HSG274 – HANDOVER SIMPLE CONTROL MEASURES: flushing out the system before letting the property; avoiding debris getting into the system (e.g. ensure the cold water tanks, where fitted, have a tight-fitting lid); setting control parameters (e.g. setting the temperature of the calorifier to ensure water is stored at 60 °C); making sure any redundant pipework identified is removed; advising tenants to regularly clean and disinfect showerheads.

HSG274 – VOIDS Weekly flushing for short periods or part occupancy Mothballing for full site / long term (chemical treatment) Don’t forget new building commissioning!

HSG274 – Part 3 ‘Other risk systems’ Monitoring ‘as indicated by risk assessment’ – the source of the water – likelihood of legionella contamination – the potential for microorganisms to grow – the potential for aerosol release – the likelihood of people being exposed to aerosols – The susceptibility of people being exposed

COMPETENT / RESPONSIBLE PERSON Managerially responsible for implementation & supervision Sufficient authority, competence and knowledge of the installation Ensure all involved are trained and competent Regular refresher training should be given and the responsible person should have a clear understanding of their role Manage contractors and suppliers Maintain records Ensure regular reviews are carried out