health & safety guidance documents
If you are involved in the legionella risk control programme for your organisation, especially if you are the duty holder or responsible person, you need access to the relevant health and safety guidance.
Legionnaires’ disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems (ACoP L8)
This is aimed at dutyholders, including employers, those in control of premises and those with health and safety responsibilities for others, to help them comply with their legal duties in relation to legionella. These include identifying and assessing sources of risk, preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk, implementing, managing and monitoring precautions, keeping records of precautions and appointing a manager to be responsible for others.
Legal Status
ACOP L8 is not law, but it has a special legal status. If a dutyholder follows the advice in ACOP L8, they are considered to have taken sufficient steps to comply with the law. However, if a dutyholder is prosecuted for breaching health and safety law and it’s shown that they did not follow the ACOP, they must prove they have complied with the law in another way.
You can download a free copy here https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm
Legionnaires’ disease Technical guidance
The guidance gives practical advice on:
- the legal requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations concerning the risk from exposure to legionella
- guidance on compliance with the relevant parts of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
