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Take Precautions Against Legionnaires Disease

15 Mar 2021

Now that lockdown in the UK is starting to ease is your business planning to reopen? Businesses must be cautious and beware of the threat of Legionnaires. Potentially fatal, if your premises have been unoccupied during the pandemic, it is vital that checks are carried out. If you fail to comply there are risks of heavy fines.

What is Legionnaires Disease?

Legionnaire’s disease is a severe form of pneumonia, the infection is caught by breathing in contaminated droplets of water, in rare cases it can be passed on by drinking contaminated water, this happens when water accidently goes into the lungs. 

Bacteria can form in unused water systems of office spaces, schools, and shops. This carries an increased risk of passing on the disease. It is important that the relevant persons carry out the relevant safety checks to safeguard staff and visitors.

Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and a high fever. In some cases, it can lead to a severe case of pneumonia and if left untreated it can potentially be fatal. As businesses plan to reopen after a prolonged period of closure its important that checks are carried out, Legionnaires is a high risk and should not be underestimated.

According to the UK GOV statistics for the period between January – October 2020, 220 cases were recorded*.

If this is something that you believe your premises requires FPM have a team on hand to assist. Legionnaires should fall under your office compliance checks that are regularly maintained, if you require assistance and advise ahead of re-opening your premises, please do not hesitate to get in touch

*https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948028/Legionella_Mthly_Rprt-Aggregate_rprt_Jan-Oct20.pdf