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Understanding and managing legionella risk – Hospitality

Welcome to our new blog series where we delve into the critical topic of Legionella control in the hospitality industry. Over the next quarter, we’ll be focusing on how Dantek caters to privately owned hotels, restaurants, and nationwide chains, ensuring peace of mind and offering practical advice for effective Legionella risk management.

At Dantek, we specialize in water hygiene and water treatment services, serving a wide range of organizations across Bristol, the South West, South Wales, and the Midlands. With a keen emphasis on prevention and control of Legionnaires’ disease, we begin our journey with you by conducting a comprehensive Legionella risk assessment, ensuring compliance with ACoP L8 and HSG274 standards.

As proud full members of the Legionella Control Association since 2007, our commitment to preventing and controlling Legionnaires’ disease is unwavering. With our innovative cloud-based electronic logbook, you’ll have real-time visibility of monitoring contracts, allowing you to stay informed day or night.

Established in 2000 by Dan Collins and Amy Richardson, we boast a team of dedicated professionals with extensive experience in water hygiene. Our field-based technicians, risk assessors, and engineers are fully trained and equipped to handle the complexities of Legionella risk management in the hospitality sector.

Understanding the unique challenges faced by hotels, bars, and restaurants, we’re here to provide practical insights into handling Legionella risk effectively. From appointing responsible persons to implementing control measures and maintaining meticulous records, we offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

Whether you operate a large establishment with complex water systems or a smaller venue with mains-fed setups, our Legionella risk assessments are designed to ensure compliance with regulatory standards while addressing the nuances of your business.

As we start to explore Legionella control in the hospitality industry, it’s essential to understand the fundamental aspects of managing Legionella risk effectively. Let’s start by addressing some key points:

Who Handles Legionella Risk? Appointing competent individuals or teams, known as responsible persons, is imperative. Their role involves understanding water systems, identifying risks, and ensuring the safety of everyone on-site.

What to Look for in a Risk Assessment? During risk assessments, consider factors such as stagnant water, optimal temperatures for bacterial growth, conducive conditions like rust or sludge, and potential aerosolization of water droplets.

How to Assess the Risk Practically? Conducting thorough checks of water systems is essential. This includes clarifying responsibilities, ensuring personnel competency, having clear system diagrams, identifying risks, determining control measures, scheduling monitoring and maintenance, and establishing review timelines.

Control Measures Implementing various measures such as controlling water sprays, maintaining water flow to prevent stagnation, utilizing materials resistant to bacterial growth, water treatment, and regular temperature monitoring are vital steps in mitigating Legionella risk.

Keeping Records Maintaining meticulous records is crucial for managing Legionella risk effectively. Record-keeping should encompass activities, findings of risk assessments, action plans, water system conditions, and test results.

Whether your establishment is equipped with large plant items like calorifiers and tanks or operates without them, we offer comprehensive Legionella risk assessments tailored to your specific needs. Our surveys address the unique requirements of establishments of all sizes, ensuring thorough analysis and compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Our assessments are designed to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including the Health and Safety Executive’s Legionella approved code of practice and guidance document ACoP L8 & HSG274.

Dantek’s Legionella risk assessment encompasses various critical components, including a full asset register, detailed system schematics, photographic documentation, and comprehensive recommendations for remedial and monitoring tasks. Our assessments are fully compliant with BS8580 standards, providing you with a thorough understanding of your water system’s risk profile and necessary actions for compliance.

Our team can also assist with the development and implementation of a Written Scheme of Control, essential for maintaining safe water systems on-site. Please refer to appendix 2.2, page 55, of the HSG274 part 2 for a summary of the requirements of a written scheme: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part2.pdf

Additionally, we provide a Lite version of the Legionella risk assessment designed specifically for sites in the hospitality sector that do not have significant plant items. This streamlined assessment process is particularly valuable for locations with mains-fed systems, offering efficient compliance with regulatory standards while acknowledging the unique characteristics of every business.

For personalized assistance and expert guidance in Legionella risk management, contact Dantek at 01454 417 920 or email us at sales@dantek.co.uk.

Legionella Risk Management During School Holidays

Educational settings, from schools to universities, are tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of their students and staff year-round. One aspect of safety is Legionella risk management. The threat of Legionella bacteria proliferating in water systems during periods of reduced activity, such as end-of-term holidays, is a matter of concern. In this blog, we will explore Legionella risk management in educational settings, considering both inherent and operational factors, as well as preventive strategies during periods of low usage.

Understanding Legionella Risk

Legionella is a bacterium that thrives in warm, stagnant water. While the original design and setup of water systems in educational settings may incorporate industry best practices, during holiday breaks, many parts of the school, college or university may remain inactive, elevating the operational risk of Legionella contamination.

Effective Legionella Risk Management

Prevent Stagnation: To prevent stagnation, water systems must ensure sufficient water turnover, particularly in areas with low usage. Stagnant water between 20-45°C creates ideal conditions for Legionella growth. Therefore, maintaining adequate temperature differentials is crucial.

Temperature Control: Cold water outlets should consistently be below 20°C, while hot water should be stored above 60°C or no less than 50°C at the outlet. This range helps inhibit bacterial growth.

HSG274 Guidelines: Educational institutions should refer to HSG274 Part 2, Paragraph 2.50 when creating risk mitigation strategies. This guidance is particularly relevant for buildings with intermittent or low usage, offering practical advice on managing them effectively. For detailed information, you can access the document via the following link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part2.pdf

Flushing Protocol: Throughout school holidays, when students and staff are away, and natural water circulation isn’t maintained within educational facilities, it is crucial to implement a flushing protocol during periods of reduced usage. This practice is essential for safe water management and to prevent stagnation. Outlets are now considered infrequently used and should be flushed at a minimum of once a week. However, the optimal flushing frequency may vary depending on the risk assessment for your specific school. Your flushing schedule might need to be as frequent as daily, especially if you have encountered Legionella issues in your school, college, or university. In such cases, we recommend consulting your contractor or contacting us at Dantek, where we can provide expert guidance and assistance.

Legionella Risk Assessment: Carrying out a thorough Legionella risk assessment is a crucial step in proactive Legionella management for educational settings. This assessment acts as a practical tool to pinpoint potential risks and assess how well the current control measures are working. It’s like a roadmap that helps schools, colleges, and universities customize their Legionella prevention strategies to fit their specific situation.

System Maintenance: Systems left unused for extended periods should undergo thorough flushing, cleaning, and disinfection according to British Standards before being recommissioned. This maintenance is essential to prevent potential issues associated with long periods of disuse.

Legionella risk management is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff in educational settings. Proper water system management, temperature control, and adherence to industry guidelines are essential components of a comprehensive Legionella risk management plan. By implementing these strategies, educational settings can reduce the risk of Legionella contamination and create a safe learning and working environments for all, especially during extended breaks when water systems are at their most vulnerable.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our team on 01454 417 920 or e-mail sales@dantek.co.uk.

Choose Dantek for Water Hygiene Services this festive season!

We hope that you have enjoyed the informative blogs we’ve been sharing for the retail industry since October. From L8 Lite assessments to water hygiene monitoring and microbial sampling, our aim has been to provide valuable insights and guidance to help businesses thrive in the ever-evolving retail Christmas wonderland.

Dantek: Your Water Hygiene Partner

Dantek is not your run-of-the-mill water treatment company. With an unwavering commitment to water hygiene and treatment services across the UK, we are the reliable partner you need to maintain the highest standards for water safety. Our mission is clear: to help businesses comply with ACOP L8 and HSG274 regulations while efficiently managing water systems in a safe, cost-effective manner.

Why Choose Dantek for Retail Water Hygiene Services?

In an industry where simplicity, compliance, and expertise matter the most, Dantek offers a winning combination that sets us apart:

  1. Transparent Pricing: Our pricing structure is straightforward, ensuring you receive detailed quotes in record time, enabling quick and informed decisions.
  2. Legionella Control Association (LCA) Membership: Dantek has proudly been a member of the LCA since 2007. This affiliation guarantees that our clients are aligned with the latest HSE guidelines and industry best practices.
  3. Customer-Centric Approach: We’re not just service providers; we’re your partners in water safety. By actively listening to your concerns and needs, we leverage our extensive experience to offer tailored solutions for the common water-related challenges faced in buildings.
  4. Efficient Scheduling: Our dedicated office team collaborates with clients to ensure service appointments are scheduled with minimal disruption to your operations and end users.
  5. ISO9001 BSI Accreditation: Our commitment to quality is unwavering. Dantek proudly holds an ISO9001 BSI accreditation, reinforcing our dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards.
  6. Expert Technicians: Our field-based technicians undergo a rigorous 11-part training program, developed in-house over the last 20 years, ensuring that the professionals handling your water systems are highly skilled and knowledgeable.
  7. Elegant Electronic Logbook: Managing multiple-site contracts can be complex. That’s why we’ve developed a user-friendly, web-based electronic logbook that offers real-time reports of non-compliance, enhancing our ability to efficiently manage large multi-site contracts while ensuring affordability.

Dantek Services for Retail

At Dantek, we specialize in providing water hygiene services with a focus on Legionella control. Our comprehensive range of retail services includes:

  1. Tailored Legionella Risk Assessments: Our wealth of experience makes us experts in multi-site Legionella risk assessments. We provide detailed asset registers, AutoCAD drawings, system condition evaluations, and actionable recommendations for compliance. Don’t forget we also offer an L8 lite version which is specifically designed for sites without significant plant items like calorifiers and tanks, which are commonly found in larger establishments. This streamlined assessment is particularly valuable for retailers with mains-fed systems.
  2. Water Hygiene Monitoring: Our highly trained technicians conduct regular temperature checks, tank inspections, and more, ensuring that your systems adhere to the highest standards.
  3. Microbiological Monitoring: We offer UKAS-accredited laboratory testing for biological monitoring programs, including Legionella testing and potable water testing. Our experts interpret results and provide actionable insights.
  4. Cleaning and Disinfection: Complying with HSE guidelines, our complete cleaning and disinfection packages guarantee your systems are clean and safe. We utilize site-specific methods, dedicated professionals, and state-of-the-art resources.
  5. Showerhead Cleaning and Disinfection: Our experienced team provides efficient and thorough cleaning and descaling services for showerheads.

Additional services include chlorine dioxide maintenance, softener servicing, calorifier inspections, closed-system water treatment, and much more.

In the dynamic world of retail, where every customer interaction matters, Dantek offers a crucial layer of support through its expert water hygiene and treatment services. Our commitment to compliance, customer satisfaction, and innovative technology positions us as a valuable partner in creating a safer working environment.

This Christmas season, let Dantek be your contractor in ensuring that every aspect of your retail business, including water hygiene, is in top-notch condition. With a dedicated team, a track record of excellence, and a user-friendly electronic logbook, we’re transforming how the retail industry manages water systems.
Learn more about our services and how we can help your business thrive by visiting our website at www.dantek.co.uk, sending us an email at sales@dantek.co.uk, or giving us a call at 01454 417 920.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with joy and success!
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