Legionella Management

Our Legionella Management Process

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment (water and soil) and are the bacteria responsible for causing the respiratory disease Legionnaire’s Disease. A term frequently used to describe Legionnaire’s disease is Legionellosis, which is merely the collective term describing any illness caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila and includes Pontiac Fever (milder non pneumonia flu-like illness). Legionnaire’s disease is responsible for numerous fatalities worldwide every year.

Because Legionella bacteria are found naturally within the environment it can be expected that the potential exists for Legionella to enter and proliferate (grow in numbers) within domestic, industrial and commercial water systems we generally come into contact with on a daily basis. In order for the bacteria to cause ill health effects, a susceptible individual has to be exposed and inhale the contaminated aerosol (water droplet containing the Legionella bacteria) and become infected. Susceptibility is largely determined by how robust an individual’s immune systems is and is dependent on a number of factors including age, sex, existing health status, duration of exposure, size of aerosol and many other factors.

Legionella is undoubtedly a hazard which Australian industry is increasingly being forced to take cognisance of via the continued changes to legislation and State and industry based guidelines and codes of practice (such as enHealth Guidelines for Legionella Control in the operation and maintenance of drinking water distribution systems in health and aged care facilities – 2015). If you operate water systems such as domestic hot and cold systems, storage tanks, showers, emergency showers, ice machines, vehicle wash systems, water features, fire hose reels, sprinkler systems, dust suppression systems and other spray systems which result in the creation of an aerosol, the potential exists for a foreseeable risk of exposure to Legionella. It is essential that a holistic view is taken and the entire water system supplying the aerosol generating outlet/s is accurately assessed and an effective Legionella management program implemented.

Ecosafe Adding Value to Legionella Management

Ecosafe International has a Team of Legionella specialists and Legionella risk assessors who are able to assist in removing the uncertainty surrounding Effective Legionella Management within individual States as well as across all States, by providing practical, risk based and cost effective solutions. Our Team provides Legionella solutions across a number of industries including, healthcare, aged care, oil and gas, mining, commercial, power generation, industrial, institutional and recognises the need for a holistic approach to effective Legionella Management.

Legionella Risk Assessments

This may include the need for a physical site inspection, exposure risk assessment, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) risk assessment and workshop or water system evaluation and gap analysis. We have extensive experience in the assessment of Legionella risk (from makeup to point of exposure), the evaluation of current Legionella management practices (including documentation and procedures), and the identification of the associated improvement opportunities. All hazards and risks are consolidated into a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) risk register with proposed remedial actions and associated Legionella management strategies.

Development of Legionella Risk Management Plan / Water Risk Management Plan Plan

In order to produce a comprehensive and robust Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP), a thorough Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) risk assessment needs to be conducted to ensure the relevant site specific potential hazards are identified and to provide the basis for the required management and control measures. The Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) is utilised to consolidate all the essential system specific information and highlight the key management processes required to effectively manage Legionella. The Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) is a working document and is designed to provide the foundation for effective Legionella management. Furthermore, the Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) assists with the adherence to and demonstration of compliance with applicable guidelines such as the enHealth Guidelines for Legionella Control in the operation and maintenance of drinking water distribution systems in health and aged care facilities (2015).

Implementation of Legionella Risk Management Plan / Water Risk Management Plan Plan

Ecosafe has the required experience to assist with the implementation of your site specific Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP). Implementation support may include Legionella Awareness Training, Legionella Auditing and reviews and/or the use of the a dedicated Legionella Compliance Tool. Click here to learn more about Do Diligence, our platform for plan implementation.

Legionella Sampling and Once Off System Inspections

The dynamic nature of Legionella makes it difficult to determine the risk solely based on water sampling results. Any once off sampling exercise has numerous limitations (such as method of sampling, location of sampling point, time of sampling and many others) and the results will provide limited insight into the overall condition of the systems (e.g. presence of biofilm within the system, degree of aerosol exposure, effectiveness of the chemical dosing program, etc.) unless the sampling exercise is accompanied with a system inspection and evaluated from a holistic perspective. Our Team of Legionella risk assessors are able to assist with once off sampling and inspections visits which ensure the effective interpretation of sampling results and associated risks and to ensure and justify that resources are targeted in high risk areas, the required risk mitigation action/s are implemented and the required “Peace of Mind” is obtained.

Legionella Monitoring Program

Legionella / water quality monitoring (operational and verification monitoring) is essential to assess and verify the effectiveness of your Legionella control program and demonstrate compliance to regulators and other stakeholders. It is not possible to monitor for all things at all times! Hence the design and implementation of a practical, robust and risk based Legionella sampling program is vital. Ecosafe can assist with the design, approval and implementation of a site specific Legionella monitoring program. We have trained specialists able to assist with Legionella sampling program design, on-site Legionella sampling (all personnel suitably training in Legionella / water quality sampling techniques), results interpretation and the associated reporting. Furthermore, Ecosafe is able to assist with an independent review of Legionella monitoring programs including the risk based streamlining of Legionella monitoring programs.

Legionella Compliance

The implementation and demonstration of compliance with your site specific Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) can often be a challenge. Ecosafe has partnered with Do Diligence to develop an innovative Legionella Compliance Tool specifically designed to assist with the effective implementation of your Legionella risk management plan and the associated achievement and demonstration of compliance. Click here to learn more about Do Diligence, our platform for plan implementation.

Legionella Results Interpretation and Reporting

Informed interpretation of Legionella and water quality results is crucial in determining any potential risks to end users, the performance of the Legionella control program and the need for any associated remedial / corrective actions. Ecosafe International has the required experience in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, toxicology and public health to assist with the short and long term evaluation and interpretation of Legionella and water quality monitoring results. This assists with ensuring informed decision making and accurate internal, regulator and stakeholder reporting. Furthermore, Ecosafe is able to assist with an independent review of Legionella monitoring programs including the risk based streamlining of Legionella monitoring programs.

Legionella Incident Investigations, Troubleshooting and Management

Ecosafe has extensive experience and proven track record of undertaking and managing Legionella related investigations and incidents and is well placed to provide practical risk based solutions to Legionella related incidents / events. Support with Legionella incidents / events may include:

Independent Legionella and water quality results interpretation and determination of the associated potential health risk.
Legionella investigation and remediation including management of system disinfection and other remedial actions.
Evaluation of long-term Legionella and water quality performance.
Development of site or company specific Legionella incident response procedures.
Legionella incident / event close-out.

Legionella Management System Audits and Consultation

Ecosafe is able to assist with independent audits, reviews or general consultation specific to your Legionella Management System (LMS). Our Team includes accredited Water Quality Management Systems Lead Auditors and in addition to the required certification, we carry with us years of experience and a proven track record within the Legionella Management System (LMS) space.

Legionella Awareness Training

Ecosafe is able to generate and deliver site specific Legionella Awareness Training for all individuals involved with operation, maintenance and management of Legionella. Our training modules are tailored to suit the specific audience and range from senior executive training to hands on operator training. All training modules include certificates of attendance.

Legionella Risk Assessment Reviews

Ecosafe is not only able to undertake your baseline Legionella risk assessment, but is also able to review and update any existing Legionella risk assessments (HACCP), Legionella improvement plans and other independent reviews.

Legionella Auditing and Independent Reviews

Ecosafe is able to assist with the generation and implementation of audit programs specific any component of your Legionella Management System including implementation of your Legionella Risk Management Plan (LRMP) / Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) and provide an insight and advice on what to expect from your chosen water treatment contractor. Our Team includes accredited Water Management System Lead Auditors with extensive industry experience.

Other General Legionella Consultation

With our wealth of experience and knowledge Ecosafe is able to assist with any of your Legionella related needs or provide advice regarding the most practical way forward.