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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Legionella Prevention and Water Safety Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline our domiciliary care organisation’s approach to Legionella prevention and water safety management, ensuring the protection of service users, staff, and visitors from Legionnaires’ disease and other waterborne illnesses. Legionella bacteria thrive in water systems, and effective management is crucial to maintaining a safe and compliant environment in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines and Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements.

This policy establishes protocols for risk assessment, monitoring, maintenance, staff training, and incident response to mitigate the risks associated with Legionella contamination.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Service users and their homes, where water systems may pose a risk.
• All employees, including care workers, office staff, and management.
• Third-party contractors, including plumbers, water treatment specialists, and facility managers.
• Local health authorities and regulatory bodies involved in Legionella risk management.

It covers:

• Legal and regulatory requirements.
• Risk assessments and monitoring procedures.
• Water system management and maintenance.
• Staff training and responsibilities.
• Emergency procedures and incident reporting.
• Compliance monitoring and continuous improvement.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy aligns with the following laws and regulations:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – Duty of care to ensure a safe environment.
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 – Managing risks related to hazardous substances.
• The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8: Legionnaires’ Disease – Industry-standard guidance for Legionella management.
• Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 – Ensuring proper water system design and maintenance.
• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards – Ensuring safe, high-quality care services.
• Public Health England (PHE) Legionella Guidelines – Best practices for prevention and control.

4. Risk Assessments and Monitoring Procedures

To prevent Legionella contamination, {{org_field_name}} conducts regular risk assessments and water monitoring. These include:

• Initial Risk Assessments:
  • Carried out before providing care services in a new property.
  • Identifies risk factors such as stagnant water, temperature fluctuations, and biofilm buildup.
• Ongoing Monitoring:
  • Routine temperature checks of hot and cold-water outlets to ensure compliance with HSE L8 guidelines.
  • Regular flushing of infrequently used outlets, such as spare bathrooms or storage areas.
  • Water sampling in high-risk environments, if necessary.
• Legionella Control Measures:
  • Maintaining hot water at a minimum of 50°C and cold water below 20°C to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Ensuring stored water is kept circulating and regularly refreshed.
  • Cleaning and descaling of showerheads, taps, and aerators at least every three months.

5. Water System Management and Maintenance

To maintain a safe water supply, we implement the following management procedures:

• Plumbing System Inspections:
  • All plumbing systems in service users’ homes are inspected periodically.
  • Any dead legs or redundant pipework that could harbor Legionella bacteria are removed.
• Preventative Maintenance:
  • Routine servicing of water heaters, thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), and storage tanks.
  • Ensuring all pipework is insulated to prevent temperature fluctuations.
• Emergency Water System Checks:
  • If a service user reports discolored or stagnant water, an immediate site assessment is conducted.
  • Water system disinfection procedures are activated if contamination is suspected.

6. Staff Training and Responsibilities

All employees involved in care delivery and maintenance receive mandatory Legionella awareness training. Training includes:

• Identifying Legionella risk factors in domiciliary care settings.
• Procedures for water system flushing and monitoring.
• Incident reporting protocols in case of suspected contamination.
• Safe handling and storage of cleaning and disinfecting agents.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Registered Manager:
  • Ensures all properties are risk-assessed and compliant.
  • Oversees emergency response planning for Legionella outbreaks.
• Care Workers:
  • Monitor and report unusual water temperatures, stagnant water, or odor issues.
  • Educate service users on safe water usage and hygiene practices.
• Office Staff:
  • Document all maintenance activities and report compliance issues.

7. Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting

In the event of a suspected or confirmed Legionella outbreak, our response includes:

• Immediate Reporting:
  • Any suspected Legionella contamination must be reported to the Registered Manager.
  • If necessary, escalate concerns to Public Health England (PHE).
• Containment Measures:
  • Affected water systems are isolated to prevent further exposure.
  • Emergency water sampling and testing are conducted.
  • Service users in high-risk areas are provided with alternative safe water sources.
• Disinfection and Remediation:
  • Affected water systems undergo chemical treatment (e.g., chlorine shock treatment).
  • Maintenance teams carry out deep cleaning and pipe flushing.
  • Water temperature settings are reviewed and adjusted for optimal safety.
• Follow-up Monitoring:
  • Post-treatment water testing is conducted to confirm contamination has been eradicated.
  • Service users and staff are updated on safety measures and preventive actions.

8. Compliance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

To ensure ongoing compliance with water safety standards, {{org_field_name}}:

• Conducts quarterly audits of Legionella risk assessments.
• Reviews staff compliance with temperature checks and flushing routines.
• Collaborates with local health authorities to stay updated on best practices.
• Ensures service user feedback is incorporated into risk assessments and water safety measures.

9. Policy Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if:

• New regulatory updates are issued by the HSE, PHE, or CQC.
• An incident occurs that necessitates changes to prevention protocols.

Feedback from audits or service users suggests improvements are required.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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