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    Legionella Toolbox Talk

    Uploaded by

    John Geddes
    This toolbox talk outlines the risks and prevention of legionella bacteria on construction sites. Legionella causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It grows in warm water systems between 20-45°C and is inhaled as an aerosol. At-risk groups include those over 50 years old or with preexisting conditions. To control legionella, sites must flush showers weekly, clean showerheads quarterly, and check water temperatures monthly, recording all routines. Proper maintenance of water systems can eliminate the risk of infection and disease.

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    Legionella Toolbox Talk

    Uploaded by

    John Geddes
    334 views4 pages
    This toolbox talk outlines the risks and prevention of legionella bacteria on construction sites. Legionella causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It grows in warm water systems between 20-45°C and is inhaled as an aerosol. At-risk groups include those over 50 years old or with preexisting conditions. To control legionella, sites must flush showers weekly, clean showerheads quarterly, and check water temperatures monthly, recording all routines. Proper maintenance of water systems can eliminate the risk of infection and disease.

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    This toolbox talk outlines the risks and prevention of legionella bacteria on construction sites. Legionella causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It grows in warm water systems between 20-45°C and is inhaled as an aerosol. At-risk groups include those over 50 years old or with preexisting conditions. To control legionella, sites must flush showers weekly, clean showerheads quarterly, and check water temperatures monthly, recording all routines. Proper maintenance of water systems can eliminate the risk of infection and disease.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    334 views4 pages

    Legionella Toolbox Talk

    Uploaded by

    John Geddes
    This toolbox talk outlines the risks and prevention of legionella bacteria on construction sites. Legionella causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It grows in warm water systems between 20-45°C and is inhaled as an aerosol. At-risk groups include those over 50 years old or with preexisting conditions. To control legionella, sites must flush showers weekly, clean showerheads quarterly, and check water temperatures monthly, recording all routines. Proper maintenance of water systems can eliminate the risk of infection and disease.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Legionella Toolbox Talk

    This toolbox talk highlights the risk of legionella on construction sites.

    Audience: All site managers, supervisors and operatives.

    What?
    Legionella is a water-born bacterial infection that can lead to a fatal form of
    Pneumonia.

    The risk of contracting legionella is slim but needs be completely eliminated


    which can be done by carrying out simple weekly routines.

    How does it form and how can we control it?


    The bacteria only infect human beings if inhaled in the form of water
    droplets from outlets such as showerheads, fountains, humidifiers, spa
    baths, spray taps, toilets and evaporative air conditioning or industrial
    cooling towers. Therefore people may be at risk both inside and outside of a
    building. Some groups of people are particularly at risk, for instance those Good practice
    over 50, smokers, people with diabetes or chronic respiratory disease, etc.

    For legionella to grow it generally needs a combination of six factors:

    o When legionella bacteria is present in the water system


    o When water is slow moving or stagnant
    o Where there is adequate food source within pipework
    o When its exposed to temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees
    centigrade
    o In an aerosol formed (shower)
    o Where people are present.

    If just one of these factors is removed, then the chain is broken.

    What are the symptoms?


    The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those of pneumonia
    and the disease is sometimes fatal. The incubation period is between 2 and
    10 days and the case fatality rate is 12%.
    Bad practice
    The typical symptoms of infection include:

    o High temperature, feverishness and chills.


    o Cough.
    o Muscle pains.
    o Headache; and leading on to.
    o Pneumonia (very occasionally).
    o Diarrhea and signs of mental confusion.
    Legionella Toolbox Talk
    Should anyone on site develop any of the symptoms described within a 10 day period, they must immediately seek medical aid
    and notify the Site Manager or other responsible person.

    What you must do?


    To enhance welfare facilities on McConnell Construction sites some managers have introduced showers by converting ‘porta-
    loo’s’ or using other existing facilities.

    Whilst this is fully supported by McConnell management and can also attract higher marks when being audited by the CCS, it is
    important to be aware that a shower could introduce a legionella risk to the site.

    Eliminating the risk of legionella can be achieved by doing the following:

    o Flush the shower for several minutes’ weekly.


    o Replace or clean and de-scale shower heads and hoses quarterly.
    o Check water temperatures at taps and other outlets after one-minute running on a 6-monthly basis.
    o Record all weekly routines and descaling or replacements of parts.
    Legionella Toolbox Talk
    Tool Box Talk Attendance Register

    Talk number: Toolbox Talk title:

    Contract name: Contract number:

    Presenters name: Presenters signature:

    Date:

    I confirm that I have been briefed on the above mentioned Toolbox Talk and I will implement the safe working practices
    and/or advice mentioned.

    NAME JOB TITLE COMPANY NAME SIGNATURE


    Legionella Toolbox Talk

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