Bron Afon Community Housing, in recognition of its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 towards its contract holders, employees, visitors, contractors, customers and members of the public, undertakes to protect all persons on its premises from exposure to legionella by ensuring safe and well maintained water systems are present, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria which is found naturally in water. In low numbers it does not pose a risk however if conditions are favourable, the bacteria will multiply, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease and other respiratory diseases.
Legionella bacteria require a suitable supply of nutrients which can be found in the form of rust, sludge, scale and algae typically found in water systems, and thrive at temperatures between 20oC and 45oC.
Controlling this risk involves reducing the favourable conditions the bacteria needs to grow in and reducing wherever practicable exposure to water droplets and aerosols.