Comprehensive Preparation for Delegates

This Legionella Awareness online training course is meticulously crafted to equip delegates with a thorough understanding of the risks associated with legionella bacteria and to provide practical tools for managing and mitigating those risks effectively. Below, you will find an
expanded overview of the training’s structure and goals, giving you a clear picture of what to expect and how each component will benefit your professional responsibilities.

➡️Introduction
This session introduces delegates to the nature of legionella bacteria, the environments in which they thrive, and the health risks they pose, most notably, Legionnaires’ disease. Emphasis is placed on real-world case studies, recent outbreaks, and the importance of robust control measures within water systems. The introduction will also explain why awareness is crucial within facilities management and healthcare.

Aims & Objectives
• Review key legislation on legionella control:
• Gain insight into the legal framework governing legionella risk management, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations, and Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8). The session will detail the legal obligations for organisations and what compliance looks like in practice.
• Define the responsibilities of employers and employees:
• Understand who is accountable and for what, from board-level duty holders to operational personnel. Delegates will be shown how responsibility is shared, what due diligence involves, and how to foster a culture of safety and vigilance within their teams.
• Identify major hazards, including sources of legionella, temperature factors, and health implications:
• Learn to recognise system vulnerabilities, such as cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, and decorative fountains, where legionella can proliferate. We’ll cover temperature ranges conducive to bacterial growth, the role of biofilm, and the symptoms and severity of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever.

• Outline the stages of risk assessment and the development of a written scheme:
• Step through the risk assessment process: identifying hazards, evaluating risks, recording findings, and implementing corrective actions. Delegates will see examples of written schemes for controlling legionella, understanding what makes documentation effective and audit-ready.
• Discuss methods for controlling legionella:
• This includes managing water temperatures, preventing stagnation, choosing materials resistant to bacterial colonisation, maintaining cleanliness of systems, implementing chemical or physical water treatment, and verifying the effective operation of processes through monitoring and testing.

Learning Outcomes
By participating in this course, delegates will be able to:
• Pinpoint critical areas for attention regarding legionella safety:
• Develop a discerning eye for risk “hotspots” within your organisation’s water systems and processes, prioritising interventions that will have the greatest health and compliance impact.
• Develop an action plan to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease:
• Use practical templates and industry best practices to create a tailored action plan, ensuring ongoing review and effective crisis response in the event of a suspected legionella case.
• Evaluate and improve existing monitoring procedures:
• Learn how to assess the effectiveness of current measures, implement continuous improvement cycles, and use monitoring data to drive decision-making and compliance reporting.
• Communicate the significance of legionella control strategies to others effectively:
• Discover strategies for raising awareness among staff, contractors, and visitors, including the use of signage, briefings, and staff handbooks. Delegates will also practice clear reporting and escalation protocols to ensure information flows smoothly within their organisations.

At the completion of this training, you will be equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to safeguard your workplace against legionella risk and ensure ongoing compliance with all relevant legislation. You are not only protecting public health but supporting a culture of safety and responsibility across your organisation.

This workshop is suitable for: Practice Managers, Lead GP for premises and H&S, anyone tasked with overseeing legionella safety in their organisation, H&S representatives seeking legionella knowledge.

💷Fees

Members £65

Non Members £110