Staying Safe From Legionnaire's

Legionnaire’s Disease is a dangerous illness for you to contract. Water-borne, it is a bacterium known as legionella can causes all the trouble. It can be found in both hard and soft water, making the use of both susceptible to trouble. As the owner of a business, it is your job to do everything in your power to ensure that the water supply to your employees is free of this risk. If you choose not to, you leave yourself open to litigation should someone contract the illness from your establishment.

The legionella virus causes a range of illnesses, the lesser of which are known as legionellosis. In this set you can get Pontiac fever as well as lockgoilhead fever. There are over 42 species of the bacteria that are known to cause this illness. You can contract the infection by breathing in minute drops of water that have the bacteria in it. This is not an illness that passes from one person to another.

Almost everyone, irrespective of age is susceptible to this illness. More so if they are over 45 years of age, and have vices like smoking or indulge overly in alcohol. Those who have chronic respiratory problems as well as kidney diseases have immune systems that are compromised and therefore need to be kept safe.

As a business establishment it is your job to have a legionella risk assessment done at your premises. There are qualified individuals who will do this job for you. You can easily identify them based on recommendations from businesses around you or if you consult with the local water authorities. Legally, you are bound to get all water sources identified and assessed as a source of risk. You will also need to prepare a scheme or rather a course of action that will help prevent the spread of legionella or control its spread. You will also need to plan and implement a program and even appoint and individual who will be responsible for this.

Make sure that you maintain all records of the inspection and details of the steps taken thereafter. Should you have a cooling tower on the premises then you will have to inform local authorities about this. A surveyor will come to your premises and examine all sources of water. Samples will be collected and tested. Should you have a problem a course of action will be prescribed.

It would be best if you have an assessment done every year. This is essential to ensure that the bacteria has not found its way into your water system after the previous inspection.