While of course testing for Legionella is a tool in our armoury, it is an indicator of performance more than a control measure, in the majority of situations. I completely get the need for speed, particularly in outbreak/cluster situations, but for our day-to-day management of Legionella there are a host of other factors that we need to be mindful of, these include:
- A suitable and sufficient risk assessment that has been competently delivered and used;
- A comprehensive written scheme of management with defined control parameters and clear actions for when these are out of parameter;
- All involved in the Legionella management process properly trained to provide the work they are being asked to do – from statutory duty holder to those flushing outlets;
- Accurate and up to date records of all the checks, inspections and monitoring performed on the system;
- Access to informed support and advice; and
- Regular reviews of your systems performance.
Visibility of your systems management remains one of the biggest concerns I have for those managing Legionella. How often are the many points of data you are gathering turned into information and then into knowledge of how your systems are performing? This can be further compounded by the fact that often there are four or more different organisations involved in providing those checks etc. and producing that data.
That thinking is why we at Assurity Consulting have always adopted a management system, rather than logbook, approach to Legionella management, and why it proves effective for so many of our customers in demonstrating their compliance.
I absolutely endorse technological development in Legionella control, but it must be considered, demonstrably effective, applied properly and provide a solution, whilst not creating additional risks or issues.
So, the question you must ask yourself, as we see more and more testing equipment/kits for Legionella bacteria come to the table, is – ‘does this testing solution really benefit me and my Legionella control for the better from where I am now?’