Risks of Legionnaire's Disease
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RISKS OF LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE |
There has been considerable media coverage in recent days around the outbreak of legionnaire's disease that has occurred in Cumbria. At the time of writing there are over 100 confirmed cases that are linked to a suspected infection site in Barrow in Furness – probably, it would seem, linked with the air conditioning system of the council run arts and civic centre.
It is now reported that the number of new infections is levelling off and even beginning to fall, though the incubation period for the disease is between 5 and 10 days, and therefore more cases are expected.
Sadly there have been two reported deaths, one of an 88 year old man that was originally associated with the outbreak. However, doubts about the cause of his death are now being raised since he lived in a nursing home and had not been near the suspected source of infection for quite some time.
Previous incidents have resulted in a high mortality rate, typically of the order of 30% of those infected so that to-date we might consider we have been fortunate. However, the statistics do highlight just how serious an issue it is.
Legionnaire's Disease is not an infection that can be passed from one person to another. It arises from a bacterium “Legionella Pneumophila”. This bacterium is found in natural water supplies and in soil but it can become troublesome when it occurs in such systems as humidifiers or wet cooling systems, which are used for a variety of purposes in industry, commercial and other premises.
The level of risk is affected by a variety of factors including the design of the installation, the premises in which it is installed, and the purpose for which the premises are used. Consequently, from a health and safety point of view, the first vital step is to undertake an assessment to determine the nature and degree of risk. Based on the results of the assessment a written scheme should be prepared for minimising the risk.
The scheme should include the appointment of one or more persons to take managerial responsibility for the safety of the installation. It should also include such matters as the regular maintenance regime for the system, frequency of cleaning, methods of disinfection, etc.
In wet cooling systems, the Guidance section of the Approved Code of Practice recommends that dip slides be used to monitor total microbiological activity on a weekly basis. In addition the regular monitoring routine should include specific sampling for Legionella, which should occur at least on a quarterly basis.
In addition to these practical actions, it is also important that comprehensive records are maintained if for no other reason than, if the best efforts of maintenance fails and there is an outbreak, it is important for those responsible to be able to demonstrate that they have taken their responsibilities seriously. In the case of the Cumbrian outbreak, one official has been suspended and there are already suggestions of possible prosecutions.
The government's proposed new Corporate Killing legislation should serve to focus attention more sharply on the potential consequences of negligence in regard to health and safety. If you are unaware of the extent of this new legislation, perhaps you should attend one of our briefings on the subject.
Meanwhile, we can only pray that there will not be any further fatalities as a result of the current outbreak.
See Concepts for a broader perspective on Managing Health & Safety
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David Skews, (CEO)
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EDP Health Safety & Environment Consultants Ltd
Lakeside, Alexandra Park, Prescot Road, St. Helens, Merseyside, UK
Telephone: +44(0)1744 766000
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