WCS Group are regularly in contact with several regulatory and advisory bodies in the UK, keeping our customers up to date with the latest guidance and best advice surrounding water management.
One of the subject matter experts in the UK is *Dr Paul McDermott. Dr McDermott is one of the leading advisors on legionella control and biological agents in the UK. WCS Group shared the advice and support we are offering to all its customers in respect of COVID-19 with Dr McDermott asked for his thoughts and any further advice on our approach, below is his response:
I’m in agreement with WCS Group’s advice on this matter, and unless the Government’s advice alters significantly over the coming days, I fully endorse the continued provision of WCS Group’s safety-critical services. Of course, staff will need to be observant of the strict social distancing arrangements that are in effect and infection control measures in place, but the need to maintain water systems in a safe condition is vital now and will be when this crisis is over.
For many industry sectors, work continues; perhaps not as ‘normal’, but continue it must. We’re all in admiration of those who are providing healthcare and in these types of services the support provided by companies like yours will be invaluable, ensuring that an already overburdened NHS is not stretched further by preventable infections.
Dr Paul McDermott FRSPH, FIHEEM
WCS Group fully support Dr McDermott’s call to reduce future burden on the NHS and would thoroughly encourage clients to continue to follow their water management plan or decommission buildings in line with SFG30 and recommission in the same way.
*Dr McDermott has significant practical experience in occupational health and safety, specialising in the fields of biosafety and biosecurity, and incidental exposure to biological agents in workplaces. He also gained 13 years' experience working as a Specialist Inspector in Great Britain's Health and Safety Executive (HSE). His specialist regulatory role in HSE's Biological Agents Unit involved undertaking inspections and audits, and enforcement of health and safety legislation in biocontainment facilities. He has also been instrumental in the production of key national guidance documents in this field that included the revised Approved Code of Practice for Legionnaires’ disease: the control of legionella bacteria in water systems and revised document HSG274 – Legionnaires’ disease: technical guidance.
For further guidance on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager or Info@wcs-group.co.uk
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