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I am looking for a template for risk assessing legionella in a workplace that has a domestic water supply and one shower. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Susan,
I would suggest you get a competent person in to undertake the risk assessment.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I am no expert but from experience I would have thought the legionella risk is very low if not insignificant.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi
The HSE publishes lots of information on this subject. Apart form getting a free copy of L8 ACOP, you might want to have a look at theses links.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/ck02.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/le...faqs.htm#Risk-assessment
As a strting point - check you have no tanks, check how cold your cold water (below 20 centigrade) and how hot your hot water is (stat set at 60 centrigrade), check for dead legs or long runs of pipework. You will need a control for the shower head.
Regards
ian
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Alfasev wrote:I am no expert but from experience I would have thought the legionella risk is very low if not insignificant.
Depends how often the shower is used, any little used outlets, who could be exposed. Admittedly certain workplaces will be a higher risk but at least they are taking the time to even think about it.
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Rank: Forum user
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jodieclark1510 wrote:Alfasev wrote:I am no expert but from experience I would have thought the legionella risk is very low if not insignificant.
Depends how often the shower is used, any little used outlets, who could be exposed. Admittedly certain workplaces will be a higher risk but at least they are taking the time to even think about it.
Agreed, it doesn't sound like it'd cost too much to have an L8 risk assessment done, depending on the plumbing of the building and the turnover of the water in any storage tanks. it's definitely a specialist area though.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I doubt you need any sort of special template for that.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There is BS8580 to consider ... but essentially for each water system you need to examine:
Contamination
Amplification
Transmission
Exposure
Host Susceptibility
Some of the detail has been covered above but these are the headings you should use to consider the various risk factors that contribute to legionella risks.
As a rule, keep it moving, keep it hot/cold and keep it clean. Technically 3 rules I suppose.
But, yeah, careful not to overstep competence. If a truly straightforward system then crack on but if there are elements of pipework and odd tank arrangements etc. then be careful not to make assumptions of risk.
Also don't forget that its not just about one off temperature checks but also about operational deadlegs e.g. cleaners sinks that only get used every 6 months or similar.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The RLA has such a template, along with other landlord groups. £9. Or PM me.
There is a bit of a to-do about this - on one hand HSE pages say (wrongly) 'ALL landlords are required to assess legionella', but then also go on to say the risk in normal domestics is very low and anyway they won't be enforcing . . (maybe because they have no powers?).
L8 says duty is 'employer'. (or self-employed. Define S/E? see HMRC. . . )
On the other, the government (.gov) pages for 'What do landlords have to do?' does not mention legionella. It was revised late last year to include the new CO / smoke alarm and other new regs. Rental property standards are enforced by EHOs to a specific standard, which mentions legionella in a very pragmatic and reasonable way.
The HSE say they 'are assuming' all landlords to be self-employed, even though at least 2 million are not, according to other branches of govt and HMRC.
Love to see that one in court, but it will never happen because the risk is so LOW.
So Cruisin Susan - if you are an employer or have a raft of properties, then follow some of the technical advice here.
If your managing agent has said you need to do this and you are a private landlord not actively engaged in the property rental activity, (see HMRC for definition) change agents.
Some agents have been charging single domestic property landlords over £100 for legionella RAs done by contractors who would normally be dealing with commercial or similar properties. Disgraceful.
However, it might be worth £9, a bit of googling, to come up with a half-page checklist which you can complete yourself, and feel comforted.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not sure where the whole landlord bit has suddenly sprung from.
Not necessarily that applicable for a workplace.
Although point of law....
Landlords are running a business, hence work activities, hence HASWA. But agree they are generally low risk and that unscrupulous money making practices have abounded off the back of the guidance.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Xavier123 wrote:Not sure where the whole landlord bit has suddenly sprung from.
Not necessarily that applicable for a workplace.
Although point of law....
Landlords are running a business, hence work activities, hence HASWA. But agree they are generally low risk and that unscrupulous money making practices have abounded off the back of the guidance.
Waht about if you are popping in to support people who pay rent directly to a landlord, the residents then pay you independently for a couple of hours support each.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you everybody for your advice. The premises are an office building with a 'domestic' water supply to sinks, toilets and one shower. I am now pointed in the right direction to proceed.
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