The management of hot and cold water systems for legionella bacteria policy and procedures
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- Protection of Maintenance Personnel and Others
- Employee consultation
- (e)Accountabilities
Safe Purging Of Stagnant WaterStagnant water may potentially contain large numbers of legionellae bacteria. In order to avoid the risk of legionellosis, precautions are taken to avoid the creation of aerosols and to avoid the exposure of people to any unavoidable aerosols. The specific precautions may vary according to the particular circumstances, but typically include:-
Care should be taken to avoid the possibility of back siphonage into mains water supplies. Protection of Maintenance Personnel and OthersContaminated Aerosols The disinfection procedures presented for cold water storage tanks, domestic hot water vessels and water systems are designed to minimise the risk to staff and others that may come into contact with water which may have been contaminated with Legionella sp. In all instances of draining, water should be drained in such a way as to avoid the creation of an aerosol. This also applies for the safe purging of stagnant water e.g. from unused outlets. The appropriate protective clothing should be worn during such procedures. This can be a powered filter and hood, European Class TH3 [assigned protection factor of 40] or a power assisted filter and close fitting full face mask TM3 [assigned protection factor 40]. It should be borne in mind that the filter on these systems is liable to get wet and subsequent resistance to air can increase with consequent discomfort to the operator. Alternatively, a hood or full-face mask fed with breathing quality compressed air may be used. The preferred equipment is a full-face close fitting airline mask with a positive pressure demand valve, under a hood or helmet protecting the rest of the head. The air supply should come from an oil free compressor drawing air through a filter from a location well upwind of any jetting operation or using cylinder supplies of compressed air. Further information on respiratory protective equipment [RPE] can be obtained from Respiratory Protective Equipment - legislative requirements and lists of HSE approved standards and type approved equipment and also HS [G] 53: The selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment [2nd Edition]. Personnel using RPE must be adequately trained to do so and equipment must be properly maintained. Where possible, cleaning methods which create an aerosol [e.g. high pressure water jets] should be avoided. If this is not possible, the operation should be executed when the building is unoccupied, or in the case of permanently occupied building, windows in the vicinity should be closed and air inlets temporarily blanked off. As systems requiring cleaning will have high organic load the operator and others closely involved should wear suitable respiratory protective equipment.
If plant is located in confined spaces, reference on entry into confined spaces can be sought from Safe Work in Confined Spaces Approved Code of Practice, Regulations and Guidance [L101]. Because water treatment chemicals, including chlorine-containing chemicals and solutions, are often toxic or corrosive they should be used cautiously to ensure that they do not endanger the users or other occupants of the building. Caustic resistant gauntlet type gloves will be required. Water treatment should be carried out by, or under the direction of, people who are suitably qualified and experienced.
The use of water treatment chemicals should be subject to a COSHH assessment and permission would be required from the water authority prior to any discharge to sewers, storm water drains and watercourses. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency should be contacted prior to direct discharge to water courses.Scalding With regards to scalding risk the organisation will ensure that all that is reasonably practicable will be done to follow the requirements of the protection of hot water system users. In Healthcare locations Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04 The control of Legionella, hygiene, “safe” hot water, cold water and drinking water systems, guidance should be applied and TMV 3 approved mixing valves used. (Note: A risk assessment will also be undertaken and recorded prior to the installation of the TMV3 mixing valves and maintenance procedures implemented)
Competent HelpThe organisation retains a specialist consultant and/or contractor as its source of competent help. (e)Accountabilitiese.1 Management Responsibilitye.1.1GeneralThe Head of Facilities has overall accountability for all aspects of the quality of water supplies. All relevant persons shall fully appreciate the actual and potential risks of legionella bacteria and the concept of risk management. Although compliance with the guidance may be delegated to staff, or undertaken by contract, accountability cannot be delegated. e.1.2Responsible PersonThe Responsible Person will be required to liaise closely with other professionals in various disciplines. This individual’s role involves: [a] advising on the potential areas of risk and identifying where systems do not comply with the guidance; [b] Advising on the necessary continuing procedures and actions for the prevention or control of legionella bacteria; [c] Monitoring the implementation and efficacy of these procedures and actions; [d] Approving and identifying any changes to those procedures and / or actions; [e] Maintaining and co-ordinating adequate records. The Responsible Person should appoint at least one deputy to whom delegated responsibility may be given. The deputy will act on behalf of the Responsible Person in his/her absence.
e.1.3Roles and responsibilities of other staffLines of Responsibility Estates Manager Assistant Estates Manager Trades Supervisors TRADES STAFF
Specialist professionals shall ensure that they follow the guidance laid down in this document and the relevant primary reference publications upon which this is based. They shall also ensure that they are up to date, by attending relevant awareness and training sessions. In particular, these professionals shall report any defects, suspicions or concerns regarding the design, condition, operation or performance of water systems that might increase the risk of Legionella proliferation. Records of all actions taken with respect to the Management of Hot and Cold Water Systems for Legionella Bacteria shall be generated and maintained. Building Occupiers e.g. Departmental Managers Managers of departments have control over the use of water in their department. Likewise these managers hold the legal consequences of the operational aspects of Management, Control and Prevention of Legionella Bacteria. In order to fulfil their legal obligations, departmental managers follow the guidance contained within this document. In particular, these managers ensure that all water outlets are used at least weekly or permanently removed; report any defects, suspicions or concerns regarding the design, condition, operation or performance of water systems that might increase the risk of Legionella Bacteria proliferation; keep relevant records; and attend Legionella awareness/training sessions. Trades staff Trades staff, whether employed or contracted, shall conduct all of their water system related tasks in accordance with this document and the requirements of the Planned Preventative Maintenance system. In particular, trades staff members shall employ their highest standards of workmanship; use only WRC approved materials when working on water systems; report any defects, suspicions or concerns regarding the design, condition, operation or performance of water systems that might increase the risk of Legionella Bacteria proliferation; keep relevant records; and attend Legionella awareness/training sessions. Where blind ends [ie blanked-off pipes that do not serve outlets] are found they should be reported to their line manager. All other relevant staff All staff members that can affect the Management of Hot and Cold Water Systems for Legionella Bacteria shall conduct their tasks in accordance with this guidance; report any defects, suspicions or concerns regarding the design, condition, operation or performance of water systems that might increase the risk of Legionella Bacteria proliferation; keep relevant records; and attend the Management of Hot and Cold Water Systems for Legionella Bacteria awareness/training sessions. Where blind ends [ie blanked-off pipes that do not serve outlets] are found they should be reported to their Line Manager and reported to the Facilities Department Help Desk on 0141 331 3999. Directory: media -> gcalwebv2 -> theuniversity media -> Tsunami Terror Alert: Voices of Youth media -> Biblical Eschatology Presentation by: D. Paul Beck May 4, 2016 Ground Rules media -> Guide to completing the collection using the Omnibus system media -> The milk carton kids media -> Events Date and Location media -> The Gilded Age: The First Generation of Historians by H. Wayne Morgan University of Oklahoma, April 18, 1997 media -> Analysis of Law in the United Kingdom pertaining to Cross-Border Disaster Relief Prepared by: For the 30 June 2010 Foreword media -> Cuba fieldcourse 2010 theuniversity -> Time: 00. 01 Online media pack gcalwebv2 -> School of Engineering and Built Environment Self-Funded Phd research Project Download 225.64 Kb. Share with your friends:
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