Legionella Legislation in Restaurants, Pubs, Chains
Legionella Legislation in Restaurant, Pub, Chain is based in the guidelines issued by HSE – HSG 274. The HSE is divided into 3 parts with the main focus being on part 2 for general hot and cold water systems typically found in restaurants, pubs and chains.
Legionella Risk in the Food Industry
The main risk factors that contribute to restaurants, any commercial kitchen installation, pubs and chains being exposed to legionnaires disease include public-facing water systems such as toilets and wash facilities. And secondly, the management of multiple sites across the UK. Chains must consider the exposure to risk from legionnaires disease to their staff, visitors and customers from kitchen areas, staff areas and customer areas such as toilets.
Health and Safety Policy for Pubs
For legionella control purposes the hot water should be stored at 60°C and supplied to sinks at 50-60°C which is scalding temperature. It is advised that public facing areas where vulnerable people may use the facilities are protected from scalding through the installation of anti-scalding valves otherwise known as Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs).
Health and Safety Documents for Pubs
The lack of management for legionella control is a known factor in the contribution of Legionella growth. Therefore it is crucial to properly manage multiple restaurants, pubs and chains for legionella control. Training staff at each restaurant and keeping records in your site water logbook will not only improve water quality but it will reduce the risk of Legionella growth by ensuring monitoring tasks are continually and accurately carried out.
Why do I need a legionella risk assessment?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and in compliance with the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8, HSG 274), duty holders, including employers and those in control of premises, must ensure the health and safety of their employees or others who may be affected by their undertaking, this includes the risk of legionella.
This includes taking suitable precautions to prevent, manage and control the risk of exposure to legionella. You can do this by undertaking the following: a legionella risk assessment, actioning all identified risks within the risk assessment with legionella remedial works, sampling the water quality to confirm bacterial presence with legionella testing, and carrying out ongoing record keeping also known as legionella monitoring.
When and how often do I need a legionella risk assessment?
The Approved Code of Practice L8 (HSG 274) in accordance with The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 states that – “The Duty holder should arrange to review the assessment regularly and specifically when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid. Legionella Risk Assessment: How Often Do I Need One? An indication of when to review the assessment and what to consider should be recorded and this may result from:
- A change to the water system;
- A change to the use of the building where the system is installed;
- New information available about risks or control measures;
- The results of checks indicating that control measures are no longer effective;
- Changes to key personnel;
- A case of legionnaires disease.”
Here at uRisk we recommend annual reviews to ensure correct implementation is being carried out. Legionella bacteria can double within 15 minutes, so it is important to review your risk assessment and monitoring records regularly.
How much does a legionella risk assessment cost?
Legionella Risk Assessments vary in prices depending on the number of water outlets, cold water storage tanks, hot water cylinders, combi boilers and other water assets that may be present. The number of assets within your water system will determine the time spent on site and how long it will take to produce your report.
So how much does a legionella risk assessment cost? Across the industry, prices vary enormously often depending on the size of the company you use and their processes, the speed of works and professionalism.
There are two types of legionella risk assessment, the first is commercial and the second domestic, also referred to as residential rental properties or landlord legionella risk assessments.
Commercial legionella risk assessments normally start from £250 to in excess of £750, here at uRisk our prices start from £99 depending on the size of the water system and location.
Domestic legionella risk assessments can range tremendously with a number of plumbers, gas engineers and other tradesmen offering these assessments without the specialist training, it’s important to check that your assessor or engineer is properly qualified. Here at uRisk our prices start from £55 for multiple landlord properties to £95 for single landlord properties. Our prices for residential rental properties are based on the property being no more than 5 bedrooms.
What's included in the legionella risk assessment?
You will receive a fully comprehensive assessment helping you meet compliance.
Site Report
Details of report
Engineer Report
Notes from visit
Risk Ratings
Breakdown of risk ratings
Control and Management
Control measures checked
Survey of Assets
All assets assessed in full
Survey of Schematic
Review of current schematic
Scope of Works
Agreed works
Remedial Report
Details of works undertaken
Site Description
Site information
Water Logbook
Records checked
Survey in Detail
Risks, materials, and design assessed
Support
30 minute report walk through
Health and Safety
Initial site safety checks
Executive Summary
Overall risk rating
Management Structure
Legionella managment
Water System Overview
Asset register
Survey Photos
Photos of entire water system
Glossary
Terminology explained
Additional fees apply for legionella samples, water logbooks and schematics. If you have had a previous legionella risk assessment you may not need these items.
How long will the risk assessment take?
On average the time a legionella risk assessor spends on site is 1 hour for every 10 outlets (sinks, showers, baths, etc). So an assessment can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 or 7 hours. It entirely depends on the size of your water system and the number of water assets you have such as cold water storage tanks, cylinders or combination boilers.
Our engineers will work closely with you to ensure minimal disruption to your business is caused. Clear and easy access to rooms and buildings will play a part in time spent on site at your premises.
When will I receive the risk assessment?
You will receive your legionella risk assessment between 2-10 working days from the date the assessment was carried out. From time to time, not often, our team will need a little more time, so please expect to have your report no later than 30 days. Need your risk assessment sooner? Get your report, guaranteed next day delivery via email for just £50.
What do I do after the risk assessment?
Within your legionella risk assessment you will have an action plan which lists all identified risks, with photos, that need remedying in order of importance. By undertaking remedial works you will reduce the risk of exposure to legionnaires disease. Once all the remedial works are complete, you will then need to focus on implementing your legionella monitoring (periodical checks and maintenance) with a logbook for recording keeping all legal duties and monitoring requirements.
Do uRisk service my area?
Yes, uRisk’s services are nationwide. Whether you have one or multiple water systems and one or multiple sites, uRisk provide services to the nationwide, with specialised engineers scattered throughout the UK and with offices based in Hertfordshire which is a 30-minute train journey to London King’s Cross.
Head Office: uRisk, Units 11-12 Baldock Industrial Estate, London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6NG.
Are uRisk qualified?
Yes, all of our Legionella Risk Assessors at uRisk are Legionella Risk Assessment qualified and accredited by City & Guilds and can help assist you in meeting compliance today for HSE (ACoP L8). uRisk is Safe Contractor and Construction Online approved so you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted water hygiene service provider who put health and safety first.
All uRisk engineers are DBS Checked to ensure suitable people are entering your premises and to safeguard vulnerable people.
Legionella Testing or a Legionella Risk Assessment?
Legionella testing, water testing or sampling is not to be confused with a legionella risk assessment. Testing or sampling whilst not a legal required plays an important role in determining how efficient a water system is managed. Whereas the legionella risk assessment will identify risk areas that may encourage proliferation.
Water testing services include Legionella, e-Coli, total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas, hard water, chlorine free, pH levels and more. Learn more about legionella testing. uRisk uses only UKAS approved laboratories.
Our booking process
Get a Quote
To get a quote you can phone, email or complete our ‘Get a Quote!’ form to receive a quotation within 24 hours.
Book an Appointment
Once you’re happy with your quote we’ll confirm a suitable date and estimated time of arrival for your appointment.
Your Appointment
An engineer will be with you on your scheduled date, and will call you prior to arrival (when safe and possible).
Report & Support
Our team will quality assess your report for PDF distribution, typically within 2-10 days of the site visit.
All payments are due prior to booking completion unless agreed in writing for 30 days from the date of invoice. We will hold your booking time for 24 hours whilst we wait for payment.
Why choose uRisk?
25 Years Experience
Over 25 years of water hygiene and legionella control experience.
Customer Service Excellence
Friendly and simple advice by phone, email & online at your convenience.
City & Guilds Qualified
All staff are trained water hygiene consultants and engineers.
Nationwide Coverage
With engineers located all across the UK, we’re never too far away.
UKAS Accredited Testing
Our labs are UKAS approved providing you with quality assurance.
Full Compliance Services
Your one stop shop for legionella control, no need to go elsewhere.