Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria found in water. Merely by having water systems within our workplaces, however simple, we could be inviting it into the building and then by lack of knowledge and lack of understanding, we could create an environment for the bacteria to flourish, grow and then cause illness (or even death) through Legionnaires Disease, Pontiac Fever, or Lochgoilhead Fever.
The Approved Code of Practice, ‘Legionnaires’ disease, ‘the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems’ (L8)’, states that ‘inadequate management, lack of training and poor communication are all contributory factors’, when it comes to Legionnaires disease outbreaks.
Suitable training should provide a history or background of the bacteria, illnesses, outbreaks, systems of risk, control measures and legislation and ideally, be relevant to the systems within your building and delivered at a suitable level, whether that be basic awareness training, management training or responsible person training.
The need for training is either directly mentioned or implied within the regulatory framework – The Health and Safety at Work Act is the overarching umbrella and section 2.2 states that ‘Employers are required to provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision’. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulation 12 states that employers must provide ‘suitable and sufficient information, instruction, and training’, whilst the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 puts onus on the employer to ‘provide comprehensible and relevant information on the risks to health and safety’.
Whilst it may seem regulation heavy and very proscriptive subject, Legionella training shouldn’t be. It should be as engaging and as interactive as possible, so that the learning outcomes can be achieved, remembered, and importantly put into place.
Assurity Consulting can deliver Legionella training to meet all requirements, and our Legionella awareness training is RoSPA Assured, meaning that it has been independently verified by a regulated vocational health and safety qualifications provider, so you can be assured of the highest standards for trainer competence and course quality – with some interaction too!