What is Legionella training and why do you need it?

Legionella bacteria has the potential to cause serious harm to people’s health if not carefully controlled. When Legionella can grow and are sprayed in water, they can cause the potentially fatal form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease.

As a result, all employers or those in charge of premises with a man-made water system must take steps to ensure the system is well maintained and the potentially harmful bacteria controlled.

Legionella training is an essential and mandatory component of any water hygiene and Legionella control management programme. In this blog post, we explore the different types of Legionella training programmes, who they are suitable for and the benefits of training.

Legionella training: what it entails

Legionella training programmes are designed to educate individuals and organisations about the risks associated with Legionella bacteria and how to effectively prevent outbreaks. These programmes provide essential knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, and manage Legionella risks in various settings.

What types of Legionella training programmes are there?

There are a number of accredited Legionella training programmes. City & Guilds is the most well-known accreditation body with the most relevant and up-to-date course content. On completing training, individuals receive a recognised certification. These courses are run by approved training centres and trainers, including WCS Group.

Some of the most popular training programmes include:

1. Legionella Responsible Persons Training Course

The Legionella Responsible Persons Training Course provides a detailed insight into Legionella management. This includes evaluating water treatment options for hot and cold water systems. Trainees will also gain an understanding of the risk of moral, legal and financial implications associated with poor control of Legionella bacteria.

This course is suitable for:

• Any member of staff who may become a Legionella Responsible Person, Legionella Deputy Responsible Person or Legionella Duty Holder.
• Engineers and Managers with other responsibilities related to Legionella Risk Management.
• Health and safety professionals who are responsible for performing Legionella Risk Assessments.
• No previous Legionella training is required, but could be an advantage.

Key points:

• City & Guild accredited course.
• Provides resources to control Legionella bacteria in line with ACoP L8 and HSG 274.
• Training options include online delivery in a live virtual classroom, on-site sessions for groups of five or more, or joining face-to-face open courses at various locations nationwide.

2. Legionella Responsible Persons Training (Including Cooling Systems)

The Legionella Responsible Persons Training (Including Cooling Systems) is designed for those involved in managing the risk of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems with cooling systems. Delegates are given a thorough insight into their legal obligations regarding Legionella management, including evaluating, monitoring and compliance options. A final assessment ensures that delegates leave the training able to perform their management duties effectively.

This course is suitable for:

• Any member of staff who may become a Legionella Responsible Person, Legionella Deputy Responsible Person or Legionella Duty Holder with high-risk cooling systems.
• Engineers and Managers with other responsibilities related to Legionella Management and high-risk cooling systems.
• No previous Legionella training is required, but could be an advantage.

Key points:

• City & Guild accredited course.
• Provides resources to control Legionella bacteria in line with ACoP L8 and HSG 274.
• Training options include online delivery in a live virtual classroom, on-site sessions for groups of five or more, or joining face-to-face open courses at various locations nationwide.

3. Legionella Awareness Training Course

This course is designed for learners who work in environments where Legionella proliferation and exposure to aerosols is a risk. It aims to raise awareness in order to prevent water borne diseases caused by Legionella bacteria.

This course is suitable for:

• Anyone who is involved in any form of Legionella or water hygiene control activities.
• Anyone who may be exposed to aerosols created from water systems.
• Experienced staff who have not undergone Legionella Awareness Training for several years and require a refresher.

Key points:

• City & Guild accredited course.
• Provides resources to control Legionella bacteria in line with ACoP L8 and HSG 274.
• Training options include online delivery in a live virtual classroom, e-learning modules, on-site sessions for groups of five or more, or joining face-to-face open courses at various locations nationwide.

4. Legionella Operative Training Course 

This Legionella Operative Training Course is ideal for learners who wish to develop skills for legionella control and maintenance in hot and cold water systems. 

This course is suitable for: 

• Maintenance staff that intend to routinely complete semi-skilled tasks associated with controlling the risk of Legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems, including TMV servicing, basic microbiological sampling and cold water storage tank inspections.
• Responsible Persons or Deputy Responsible Persons who require deeper practical knowledge.
• Those with a good level of industry experience or who have taken a recognised Legionella Awareness training course.

Key points:

• City & Guild accredited course.
• Provides resources to control Legionella bacteria in line with ACoP L8 and HSG 274.
• Training options include online delivery in a live virtual classroom, on-site sessions for groups of five or more, or joining face-to-face open courses at various locations nationwide.

Why would you need to do a Legionella training course?

Legionella training is an essential component of any Legionella control management programme. Whether you are the duty holder or responsible person, undergoing Legionella training is essential to develop the necessary competence and ensure the safety of individuals within your organisation.

As the duty holder or responsible person, you bear the responsibility of managing and mitigating Legionella risks within your organisation or facility. Legionella training equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill this role effectively. By undergoing training, you gain a comprehensive understanding of Legionella bacteria, its transmission routes, and the associated health risks.

Legionella training empowers you to identify and assess Legionella risk factors specific to your environment. You learn about regulatory requirements and guidelines, enabling you to ensure compliance and implement appropriate preventive measures. With training, you acquire the expertise to implement control strategies, manage water systems, and conduct regular maintenance practices to minimise Legionella proliferation.

In addition, Legionella training emphasises effective communication and emergency response protocols. This enables you to educate stakeholders about Legionella risks, disseminate preventive measures, and respond swiftly and efficiently in case of an outbreak. By having the necessary training, you can confidently fulfil your duties as the responsible person, creating a safer environment and safeguarding the well-being of people under your care.

Is it a legal requirement to have Legionella training?

As a duty holder or responsible person, you are not legally required to complete training to perform your duties. However, training forms a big part of a person's ability to work competently and safety. As a result, the Health & Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8) states:

“Those specifically appointed to implement the Legionella control measures and strategies should be suitably informed, instructed and trained and their suitability assessed. They must be properly trained to a level that ensures tasks are carried out in a safe, technically competent manner, and receive regular refresher training.”

What are the benefits of Legionella training?

Legionella training is an important part of a Legionella control management programme. All individuals involved in the programme should be appropriately trained and competent. But as well as simply being an important requirement, external training offers additional benefits.

The training programmes are delivered by knowledgeable trainers who have significant industry experience. They can help to explain the why behind some of the tasks involved in Legionella control and offer a fresh perspective about best practices. Training is a great opportunity to review your current processes and understand how you could improve your processes to enhance protection against Legionella.

The reality is that while Legionella outbreaks are relatively uncommon, they do happen. In only 2020, a plastics manufacturing company in West Bromwich was fined after it put workers and the public at risk of being infected with the potentially deadly bacteria. Five people were infected, with one taken to intensive care and put on a ventilator. 

Training with Hydro-X 

In October 2021, WCS Group acquired Hydro-X Training and together, we are now the UK's provider of choice for City & Guilds Legionella training courses. We offer a range of in-person and online training courses delivered by our joint experienced team who will train you quickly and compliantly. Trainees leave our courses confident to apply their knowledge and new skills safely and in line with ACoP L8 and HSG 24.

We can also offer flexible, tailored training courses for individuals or organisations with specific needs. For example, for individuals and small groups, we offer open courses at our offices, or locally convenient centres throughout the year. Or alternatively, we are more than happy to host bespoke specific courses at our venues or your facilities, including specific training using your equipment as examples.

To explore our upcoming courses or to talk to us about a bespoke training programme, get in touch with us. 

This post was originally published in March 2021, and updated in June 2023 for accuracy.