Legionnaires Disease
Appendix 1 Checklist - Other Risk Systems
The University of St Andrews acknowledges its responsibility to consider the risks from Legionella present in the water systems under its control and is aware of the need to prevent the exposure of persons to Legionella bacteria.
The University's Estates Unit is responsible for the identification of risk from Legionella and for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAW) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) concerning the risk from exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Estates will ensure compliance by implementing guidance published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) in its Approved Code of Practice entitled 'Legionnaires disease - The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems'. Estates will, for water systems in or associated with academic and residential buildings:
Identify and assess sources of risk;
Prepare a scheme (or course of action) for preventing or controlling the risk;
Implement and manage the scheme - appoint a member of staff to be managerially responsible;
Keep records and check that what has been done is effective; and
If appropriate, notify the local authority, in writing, of any cooling tower(s) and/or evapourator condenser(s) on site and there location.
Actions by Heads of Schools/Units
It is expected that Heads will ensure that their School/Unit will fully co-operate with Estates in any survey carried out to identify and assess the sources of risk.
Heads must also ensure that Estates is notified of any existing water system or equipment employing a water system which they currently use or propose to introduce into the area under their control so that the Legionella risk may be assessed by Estates. If deemed necessary, control measures will be put in place to eliminate or minimise the risk. Examples of these other risk systems are given in Appendix 1.
Checklist - Other Risk Systems
System / Service |
Task |
| Ultrasonic; Humidifiers/foggers and water misting systems. | If equipment is fitted with UV lights, check to ensure effectiveness of lamp (check to see if within working life of the lamp etc.) and clean filters |
| Ensure automatic purge of residual water is functioning. | |
| Clean and disinfect all wetted parts | |
| Sampling for Legionella | |
| Spray humidifiers, air washers and wet scrubbers. | Clean and disinfect spray humidifiers / air washers and make up tanks including all wetted surfaces, descaling as necessary. |
| Confirm operation of non-chemical water treatment (if present) | |
| Water softeners | Clean and disinfect resin and brine tank - check with manufacturer what chemicals can be sued to disinfect resin bed. |
| Emergency showers and eye wash sprays | Flush through and purge to drain |
| Sprinkler and hose reel systems | When witnessing tests of sprinkler blow down and hose reels ensure that there is a minimum risk of exposure to aerosols |
| Lathe and machine tool coolant systems | Clean and disinfect storage and distribution system |
| Spa baths | Check filters - sand filters should be backwashed daily |
| Check water treatment - pools should be continuously treated with an oxidising biocide. | |
| Clean and disinfect entire system | |
| Horticultural misting systems | Clean and disinfect distribution pipework, spray heads and make-up tanks including all wetted surfaces , descaling as necessary. |
| Dental equipment | Drain down and clean |
| Car/bus washers | Check filtration and treatment system, clean and disinfect system. |
| Indoor fountains and water features | Clean and disinfect ponds, spray heads and make-up tanks including all wetted surfaces, descaling as necessary. |