Control of Legionella Policy

Why We Need This Policy?

Seven Steps Support Ltd is committed to promoting and safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of its premises and the people working and receiving short-term care services through safe working practices. Clean water is an essential part of everybody’s daily lives and needs to be provided safely to prevent legionella – the bacteria that can cause a collective group of diseases or infections. This policy will be reviewed annually as part of the risk assessment process to ensure that risk sources are minimized, controls in place are effective, and there have been no safety issues raised.

How Will This Happen?

Seven Steps Support Ltd will take suitable precautions to prevent or control the risk of exposure to legionella. We have an annual gas inspection during which the boiler and water temperature control are checked. The water temperature within the house and rooms is checked weekly to ensure it is at a safe level and within the higher range of the 20 – 45 degrees temperature, which are potentially the conditions for legionella bacteria growth. The facilities are kept clean and clear of rust, sludge, scale, and organic matter, which are environmental conditions needed for bacterial growth.

Water flushing is carried out weekly and more often when the house has been empty (i.e., without residents) for any length of time, such as over a weekend.

The above checks are carried out by the manager or a designated staff member in the manager’s absence. The registered Gas service engineer will also support with their annual checks.

Seven Steps Support Ltd has no cooling towers or evaporative condensers that require Local Authority (L.A) notification.

Any cases of legionellosis must be reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).