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JHF  
#1 Posted : 24 July 2014 10:47:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
JHF

Hi all, have had a site survey carried out (by a third party), they are advising 6 areas need addressing (we are able to carry out in-house - i.e. fitting temperature gauges, some insulation, some non-return water valves etc.), they are also requesting (key word) further "options" - site monitoring, training, testing, taking temperatures, disinfecting, sampling etc. My question is - if the initial work is carried out (by us), and WE carry out the disinfecting, monitoring, flushing out etc. would this be acceptable? Have a meeting with the third party next week, don't want to buy something we don't need! the costs for the above are in the thousands! - any thoughts would be much appreciated.
PIKEMAN  
#2 Posted : 24 July 2014 11:26:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PIKEMAN

If you and you staff are competent then there is not resaon why you should not do this.

It would have to be done by the book (L8!) and you would have to keep proper records, be consistant etc.

It would also have to be auditable.

Why not talk to your insurers / HSE inspector?
potts2030  
#3 Posted : 24 July 2014 11:59:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
potts2030

HI
we do some of the stuff ourselves, temperatures checks, weekly flushes for infrequent used taps and showers, disinfecting, training was done by an outside party and sampling is done by a contractor, we are in the process of having someone trained to take samples which would then be sent to a lab.
I agree with Pikeman that record keeping is key as an L8 visit is always possible.
Xavier123  
#4 Posted : 24 July 2014 12:39:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Xavier123

As with all things, if you have the in-house competence to do these tasks then you can do them in-house.
However, checking and determining those competence levels is key. Many of the tasks themselves are relatively straightforward but still need to be done in a certain way for a good reason e.g. hot water temp check (sounds straightforward) but need to consider length of time running tap for, where it is within the circuit (also what kind of circuit it is) in order to interpret the result effectively.

Totally fine to do in-house though. Maybe do a gap analysis/review on competence, then buy in training/instruction on legionella awareness and the tasks in question as necessary - retain third party as competent person in the event of specific actions being necessary eg. full system disinfection.
JHF  
#5 Posted : 24 July 2014 12:42:25(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
JHF

Thanks for the above. Looks like good record keeping (as ever) and a system setup to manage the legionella issue. As mentioned we have had the survey done, we are (more than) able to carry out the remedial works (as listed / itemised in our survey report), routine thereafter, many thanks.
Canopener  
#6 Posted : 24 July 2014 17:22:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Canopener

It would be helpful to know what sort of risk systems you are referring to in order to provide something like an informed answer!

If (as it appears) you are referring to hot and cold water systems then for the most part the competency requirements shouldn't be onerous.

The cynic in me might suggest that the 3rd party may well be 'over egging' the risk and risk management required in order to generate business for themselves.
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