Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. The agent that causes Legionnaires' disease is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophilia. People catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air, which contain the bacteria.
Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella:
Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in purpose-built systems where the water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, eg cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa pools, and hot water systems used in all sorts of premises (work and domestic).
Most community outbreaks in the UK have been linked to installations such as cooling towers, which can spread droplets of water over a wide area. These are found as part of air-conditioning and industrial cooling systems.
To prevent exposure to the legionella bacteria, employers must comply with legislation that requires them to manage, maintain and treat water systems in their premises properly. This will include, but not be limited to, appropriate water treatment and cleaning regimes.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have produced an Approved Code of Practice and Guidance on controlling legionella bacteria in water systems to assist employers in assessing the risk of employees and others in the workplace contracting Legionnaires' disease. Copies of the guidance can be obtained from HSE books.
The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 require the existence of cooling towers to be notified to the local authority, which maintains a register of these installations. Further information on this subject can be obtained from the Council's Environmental Health service.
Please note that our officers spend most of their time out on the district. If you need to see someone in person you should ring first and leave a message for the officer to contact you and make an appointment.
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