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You are here: Home > Environment > Environmental Health > Health and Safety > Working Environment > Legionnaires

Legionnaires Disease and Legionellosis

This section provides information and advice about the Legionnaires Disease. Information below describes the causes and prevention of the thirty-seven different species of bacteria collectively known as legionellosis.

Legionnaires Disease is one of a group of diseases collectively known as legionellosis. 

Thirty-seven different species of bacteria are associated with legionellosis, the most dangerous being Legionella pneumophilia.

Infection by L. pneumophilia can result in pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening effects. Legionellosis is associated with a fatality rate of approximately 12%.

Where does it come from?

Legionella organisms are widespread in natural water sources and have been found in rivers, lakes, mud and soil. However, Legionella can also colonise man-made recirculating hot and cold water systems such as storage tanks, calorifiers and air conditioning systems.

How do you become infected?

Legionellosis is caused by the inhalation of airborne droplets which contain Legionella bacteria. However, infection can only occur under certain conditions which permit the growth and multiplication of the organism and involve the creation of droplets which can be inhaled.

Legal Requirements for businesses

a) Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 extend to risks from Legionella arising from work activities.

b) The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 relate to risks from biological hazards such as Legionella.

c) The HSE Approved Code of Practice, 'The Prevention or Control of Legionellosis,' provides guidance on standards that must be met in order to comply with legal requirements for dealing with these risks. The Approved Code of Practice applies whenever water is stored or used in a way which may create a foreseeable risk of Legionellosis and particularly to the following water systems:

• Water systems incorporating a cooling tower. 
• Water systems incorporating an evaporative condenser. 
• Hot water services in which the volume of hot water exceeds 300 litres. 
• Hot and cold water services, irrespective of size in premises where occupants are susceptibly aged or sick. 
• Humidifiers and air washers which create a spray of water droplets and in which the water temperature is likely to exceed 20°C. 
• Spa baths and pools in which warm water is deliberately agitated or recirculated. 

d) The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 require notification to the local authority of installations of wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers.

Notification of Cooling Towers

You can download a form to notify the Council about Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers below.

•  I want to download a Cooling Tower notification form (pdf) (8.7kB)  

Actions required

The principles of a Legionella control system are:

a) The identification and assessment, by a competent person, of sources of risk.
b) The preparation of a scheme for the prevention or control of such risks.
c) The implementation and management of precautions.
d) Keeping records of precautions implemented.
e) The appointment of a person who is managerially responsible for the system.

The Prevention of Legionellosis

Legionellosis can be prevented and controlled as follows:

a) Eliminating conditions which permit the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.
b) Minimising the creation and release of water sprays and aerosols. Precautions which limit the proliferation of Legionella species include:

• Avoiding water temperatures between 20°C and 45°C. 
• Avoiding water stagnation. 
• Avoiding the use of materials in the system which can harbour or provide nutrients for bacteria. 
• Keeping the system clean to avoid the build up of sediments which may provide nutrients or harbourage. 
• The use of a suitable water treatment programme which involves the disinfection and maintenance of the system. 
• Ensuring that the system operates safely and is well maintained.     

Checklist for businesses

1. Have potential conditions that permit the growth of Legionella been identified and assessed by a competent person?
2. Has a scheme for the prevention or control of Legionella been prepared and implemented?
3. Have precautions to prevent the proliferation of Legionella and the creation of water droplets or aerosols been implemented?
4. Has a suitable water treatment programme including the disinfection and maintenance of the system been implemented, supported by appropriate information, instructions and training?
5. Are records of precautions taken and water treatment programmes kept?
6. Has a person with managerial responsibility been appointed to oversee the system and ensure it operates safely?