Safecare

Controlling Legionella risks is crucial for ensuring the work environment is safe for employees. Legionella bacteria can be found in man-made water systems such as hot and cold water systems, cooling towers and evaporative condensers. Water contaminated with Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease - a serious and potentially fatal form of pneumonia. 

Legionella bacteria grow in the following conditions:

• Water temperatures are between 20-45°C
• Presence of nutrients, such as rust, sludge, scale, sediment and algae 
• Stagnant water (e.g. if a tap is not regularly used)

SafeCare consultants will take readings of the water temperature within the system and check them against the guideline temperature parameters outlined in HSG 274.

They will assess water systems to identify risks, including (but not limited to):

• Obsolete pipework known as ‘dead legs’ where water can stagnate
• Hemp joints where bacteria can multiply
• Flexible hoses manufactured with EPDM which can encourage Legionella bacteria to grow
• Inspection of major assets such as water systems, cold storage tanks, calorifiers (hot water heaters) and cooling towers

Once the risks have been identified, any remedial works are prioritised according to the level of risk and carried out to reduce the building’s Legionella risk. Typical work might include removal of obsolete pipework, cleaning and disinfection of calorifiers and tanks, and management control actions such as reviews of procedures and processes.

Our SafeCare consultants deliver over 10,000 Legionella risk assessments per year across a wide range of industries.

Ensuring good air quality in a building is essential for protecting the health of its occupants, as poor air quality can result in problems such as asthma, drowsiness, skin rashes, and dryness of the eyes, nose and throat.

SafeCare consultants are trained in the inspection of forced air mechanical ventilation systems, in line with British Standards 15780 Ventilation for Buildings and BESA TR19 Internal Cleanliness of ventilation systems.

SafeCare’s assessment starts at the intake point, with the examination of the hygienic status of all components. The assessment includes photographic reports, contaminant deposit classifications and microbiological levels. Once the assessment is complete, our trained consultants will create a clear action plan and cleaning recommendations.

Indoor air quality must be regularly monitored to ensure exposure is in line with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, as well as guidance levels from the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers. 

Indoor air quality assessments cover:

• Circulating air temperatures
• Relative humidity levels
• Carbon dioxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Airborne particulate and airborne microbiological activity levels

Additional gas sampling is available on request:

• Potential sources of air quality issues from within the building
• Outline chemicals that may be used in the process and how they are controlled
• Undue population levels as indicated by the carbon dioxide gas concentration levels and actions that may be taken to improve air quality
• Any alarms, indicator gauges associated with systems, will be tested to ensure function
• Structural examinations to measure the performance of the system through airflow, air pressure, smoke, visual contaminant flow test
• All systems, hoods will be marked as pass or fail, dated and date of retest displayed to ensure that operators/users can have confidence that the system is adequately performing for them
• Measurement of users’ understandings of systems

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Inspection and Testing

SafeCare consultants are British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) P601 trained and will inspect log book paperwork relating to daily, weekly and monthly inspections and identify solutions where required to aid the site in the maintenance of these systems.

A report detailing the technical performance of systems, user performance, client maintenance and compliance are provided alongside photographic evidence. An action plan including recommended training, upgrades, and cleaning and inspection frequencies is also produced to improve the safety of staff and compliance with regulations.

It is a legal requirement for all non-domestic properties to have fire risk assessments carried out, to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. SafeCare consultants are trained by the Fire Protection Association and have extensive experience in ensuring compliance is met.

SafeCare consultants will carry out a detailed assessment of site records to ensure compliance with Fire Protection Measures and Fire Safety Management. They will inspect fire safety log books to ensure service and maintenance activities for the lifesaving active systems are being carried out at the correct frequencies, in line with the principles of the British Standards Institution PAS 79.

The assessments cover:

• Adequate and timely remedial works
• Protection of staff and individuals including personal evacuation plans
• Evacuation procedures
• Policy management
• Identification of fire hazards, potential weaknesses or breaches in passive fire protection structures
• Chemical storage
• Escape routes
• Measurement of fire safety perception in building occupants

The findings will be presented alongside photographic materials and detailed fire safety action plans. Completion priority ratings will be included in all reporting. 

The presence of heat and grease in kitchen extraction systems can significantly increase the risk of a fire starting.

SafeCare consultants carry out assessments of kitchen extract systems for fire hazardous deposits, in line with the recommendations of The Association of British Insurers (ABI) Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) and the BESA guide to good practice TR19 Internal cleanliness of ventilation systems.

By measuring grease deposition, SafeCare consultants will advise on appropriate cleaning frequencies to remove the fuel source from the fire triangle. As grease deposition can increase in regularly used kitchens, regular monitoring is the best way to ensure fire hazards associated with these systems are minimised.

SafeCare will provide full photographic reporting of contaminant deposit levels as well as duct-work and fire insulation protection. The report will outline action plans including cleaning and inspection frequencies, conditions of the fire protection insulation, filter laundering, gas interlock advice and any recommendations regarding requirements for cleaning.

SafeCare consultants can provide independent audits to review the level of Legionella compliance in accordance with the HSE legislation and guidance. These audits give the responsible owner the peace of mind that their building and organisation is compliant with the most up to date legislation and guidance.

SafeCare will examine how Legionella is managed within the organisation, highlight any areas that require improvement, and prioritise any remedial actions identified. As part of the process, they will interview key people responsible for Legionella control, inspect records and carry out random checks on the water system to ensure tasks are being completed correctly.

SafeCare offers City & Guilds accredited courses tailored to a customer’s specific Legionella control needs. Courses can take place at the customer’s own premises or at a venue provided by WCS Group.

As well as classroom-based study, participants will carry out practical exercises where they will learn how to undertake routine temperature checks and successfully inspect major hot and cold water systems.

SafeCare also offer open day courses, a cost-effective solution for customers wanting to train a smaller number of their staff alongside participants from other organisations. 

Training can also be provided on general Legionella awareness as well as more specific control of Legionella in hot and cold water systems.

The City & Guilds accredited courses we offer include:

• Legionella awareness
• Legionella control in water systems
• Legionella control in evaporative cooling systems
• Legionella control in hot and cold water systems
• Spa pool and associated water system management
• Safe water in healthcare premises

Our training will enable you to:

• Meet the competency requirements for your role and responsibilities
• Understand what compliance looks like and how to achieve it
• Have the confidence that you can demonstrate due diligence

Click here for upcoming course dates.