Views sought on revised Approved Codes of Practice

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched three consultations on changes to the content of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs). Changes to the ACOPs Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) (L134-138), Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) (L5) and The control of legionella bacteria in water systems (L8) have been developed by Read more…

Legionnaires’ victim calls for answers

THE first victim of the Capital’s deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak is today leading fresh calls for answers – as the one-year anniversary of the crisis that engulfed Edinburgh 
approaches. On June 3 last year, NHS Lothian said that the Capital was in the grip of a legionella outbreak, following a surge of cases linked to Read more…

Kids club boss claims lack of council support following Legionella scare

The owner of an after school and holiday club has raised concerns with Redbridge council over a lack of support after the discovery of Legionella bacteria at a youth centre. Wanstead Youth Centre in Elmcroft Avenue was shut down last Monday after the potentially deadly bacteria was discovered in the water system. Connie Barrett, who Read more…

Swindon leisure centre on Legionella alert

Potentially lethal Legionella bacteria have been found in showers at a leisure centre in Swindon. The bug, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, was found following a routine check at The Link centre in the town. Swindon Borough Council said higher than normal levels of the bacteria had been found but the “health of centre users Read more…

Minimise risk of Legionella with new published guidance

Control of Legionella in water systems is an ongoing concern and especially following the outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Edinburgh and Stoke last year. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has published a new Guide TM13: Minimising the risk of Legionnaires’ disease to set authoritative standards to help reduce risk and provide further understanding on Read more…

Indoor Air Quality

Many of us might spend up to 90 % of our day indoors — at home, work or school. The quality of the air we breathe indoors also has a direct impact on our health. What determines indoor air quality? Is there any difference between outdoor and indoor air pollutants? How can we improve indoor Read more…

Care home wash-basin was source of Legionella

A wash basin in a Reading Borough Council care home was the most likely source of Legionnaires’ disease that killed a 95-year-old man, an inquest heard. Lewis Payne, of Knights Way, Emmer Green, was staying in The Willows care home, in Hexham Road, Whitley, when he contracted Legionnaires’ pneumonia. Flaws in specific Legionnaires’ training for Read more…

Managing the risks of Legionella

The Energy Institute (EI) is set to publish an updated edition of its technical guidance on Legionella risk management control. Legionellosis, also known as ‘Legionnaires’ disease’ is a strain of pneumonia, so named after it affected a number of attendees at an American Legionnaires Convention in 1976. The EI will publish the updated guidelines to Read more…