The 9th February 2019 marks 10 years of operations for the Water Hygiene Centre!  

Having reached this significant milestone, we’d like to say ‘Thank You’ to our clients for their belief and continued commitment in the team here at the Water Hygiene Centre.

Conventional wisdom has it that most cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with water systems in the built-environment could have been prevented and therefore should not have occurred. The law underpins this by placing statutory obligations of duty holders, employers and others in control of premises that pose a Legionellosis risk to users. 

To understand the actions that should be taken when a positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa [P. aeruginosa] test results is received, it is prudent to first understand more about this opportunistic pathogen and the associated guidance. This knowledge will help to shape the actions…

Case Study:  Training Needs - The Success That Comes With Getting It Right! 

When it comes to water risk management, it is vital to ensure those appointed to monitor and assess the safety are sufficiently trained and can effectively identify hazards such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination. With professional and expert training comes success in maintaining the water safety in your organisation, as we have seen in Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

In Part 1, we covered some common problems you may face when commissioning Legionella risk assessments. We now take a look at what your risk assessment should include to comply with current guidance and regulations.

As the festive season is upon us, we thought we would lighten the mood by posting our Christmas Card drawn by Jack - Age 8, along with an opportunity for you to win some Legionella training. 

If you are the hotel manager, maintenance manager or property owner you have a legal responsibility and accountability to ensure that occupiers of your premises are suitably protected from water safety risk. You may have appointed, or been appointed as, the Responsible Person. This essential blog is aimed at helping you understand a little more of how a risk assessment can help you and what it must include.

2014 saw the publication of ‘HSG274 - Part 2’  by the HSE, which introduced a slightly different way of monitoring hot water systems.

The term ‘care home’ may be used to describe a wide range of properties of varying size and complexity catering for people with a wide range of needs. Whilst care providers tend to specialise in a particular group or type of residents, the common factor is that these establishments provide residential accommodation in an environment that caters specifically for those who are less able to live independently and care for themselves. These include homes for the elderly, physically disabled, children with special needs and those with mental health needs. Nursing homes are a special type of care home with the ability to provide more advanced levels of medical care.

Case Study: An engineering risk assessment minimises the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination and saves lives. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious bacteria that can cause chronic disease in humans, plants and animals. In 2013 there was an outbreak in Belfast which lead to the deaths of three new-born babies, an unfortunate event which has given rise to major concerns in hospitals. After tests returned positive counts of the bacteria in the water at King's Mill hospital, it was time to take action.