Legionella risk assessments
An assessment of your hot and cold water systems and the risk they present, with practical steps to control it, for workplaces, landlords, holiday accommodation and care settings.
At a glance
- Guidance
- HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8 and HSG274
- What you receive
- A written risk assessment and recommended control measures
- Afterwards
- A reminder when it’s time to review it
- Book by phone
- 01493 249 269
Why water systems need assessing
Legionella bacteria can grow in water systems where the temperature allows, where water stands still, and where there’s sludge, scale or rust for them to feed on. People can catch Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in tiny droplets of contaminated water, for example from a shower.
If you’re an employer, or in control of premises, including as a landlord, you must identify and assess the risk from legionella in your water systems and put proper controls in place. HSE’s guidance says you must appoint a competent person to help you manage the risk.
What the assessment covers
- How water is stored and distributed, including tanks, cylinders and water heaters
- Water temperatures at representative outlets
- Outlets that are rarely used, dead legs and other places where water stands still
- Showers, spray outlets and anything else that creates spray
- Who uses the building, including anyone at greater risk
- How the system is managed now, and the records kept
What you receive
- A written risk assessment of your water systems
- The control measures we recommend, in order of priority
- What should be checked, how often, and what to record
- A reminder when it’s time to review the assessment
If you’d rather not carry out the checks yourself, we can do them for you as part of legionella testing, monitoring and control.
How often to review it
There isn’t one fixed interval that applies to every site. HSE guidance says a legionella risk assessment should be reviewed regularly, and particularly whenever there’s reason to suspect it’s no longer valid: after changes to the water system, a change in how the building is used, or if checks show the controls aren’t working.
Common questions
Do landlords need a legionella risk assessment?
Landlords must assess and control the risk from legionella in the properties they let. For most simple domestic systems the assessment is straightforward. There’s no such thing as a legal “legionella certificate”, so be wary of anyone selling one.
How often should a legionella risk assessment be reviewed?
Regularly, and whenever there’s reason to suspect it’s no longer valid, such as after changes to the water system or to how the building is used. There isn’t one fixed interval for every site.
Not due yet? Tell us when it is and we’ll email you a month before, with a link to get a quote.
Get a reminderNeed help with legionella risk assessments?
Tell us what’s due, and we’ll take it from there.