The Risks to Sports Centres from the Legionella Bacteria

Sports centres and sports clubs need to take the threat of legionella bacteria seriously. Water is an essential element of a sports facility, whether it’s for showers, swimming pools, spa pools, bathroom facilities, hoses, or sprinkler systems for playing fields.

However large or small your sports centre or sports club, you must appoint a responsible person to manage and control risks. This person must have the training, knowledge and authority to be able to implement strategies and carry out operational procedures competently in order to prevent and control the bacteria. 

As legionella thrives in stagnant water, extra care needs to be taken in humid surroundings and with recirculated air. That means air conditioning and shower facilities are of particular concern, and if your centre has a pool or steam room, you also need to take precautions.

Teaching staff about the dangers of legionella

An important part of risk management is to educate staff about the bacteria. When cleaning the showers and changing rooms, for example, if they understand why it’s important to ensure no puddles are allowed to stagnate, they’re more likely to keep these areas clean and dry. The dangers of stagnant water are also the reason why your staff need to report blocked drains or broken showerheads, enabling them to be fixed as soon as possible. 

Regular Legionella testing 

The Health & Safety Executive’s Guide for dutyholders states: “Under general health and safety law, as an employer or person in control of a premises … you have health and safety duties and need to take suitable precautions to prevent or control the risk of exposure to legionella.” It continues: “Carrying out a risk assessment is your responsibility and will help you to establish any potential risks and implement measures to either eliminate or control risks. You may be competent to carry out the assessment yourself but, if not, you should ask someone with the necessary skills to conduct a risk assessment.” 

There are no official guidelines as to how frequently legionella testing needs to be carried out, but we usually recommend annual testing or when you think there may be a problem. Legionella bacteria can double within 15 minutes, so it is also important to review your risk assessment regularly and keep records.

If you would like advice about the best practices for your sports centre or sports club, we can carry out a detailed legionella risk assessment that will make recommendations for best practice, including the regularity of testing. 

Further information 

If you want to find out more about legionella, you are very welcome to join one of our free legionella webinars. Education is an important part of the control of the bacteria, which is why it is important to do what we can to spread the safety message. 

We also run an online Legionella Awareness Course aimed at dutyholders and responsible persons. It is only £35 (+ VAT) and covers topics such as legal requirements, medical, the background of legionella, and ongoing monitoring requirements.