Revised Legionella ACOP Published
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published revised information on managing and controlling Legionella bacteria in water systems.
The revised Legionnaires’ disease Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) (L8), which is aimed at dutyholders including employers; those in control of premises; and people with health and safety responsibilities for others, was one of several identified for review, in line with a recommendation by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his report ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all’.
The Legionnaires’ disease ACOP (L8) includes information on identifying and assessing sources of risk; preparing a scheme to prevent or control risk; implementing, managing and monitoring precautions; keeping records of precautions; and appointing a competent person with sufficient authority and knowledge of an installation to help take measures needed to comply with the law.
This fourth edition of the ACOP and guidance on regulations contains revisions to simplify and clarify the text. The main changes are removing Part 2, the technical guidance, which is published separately in HSG274, and giving the following issues ACOP status:
- risk assessment
- the specific role of an appointed competent person, known as the ‘responsible person’
- the control scheme
- review of control measures
- duties and responsibilities of those involved in the supply of water systems.
Lorraine Medcalf, HSE’s Legionella policy lead, said: “The revised ACOP provides greater clarity for dutyholders on what constitutes legal requirements and what is guidance. Where possible we have simplified terminology.
“The review also enabled us to update technical guidance to incorporate technological advancements and separate it from general guidance on the regulations, making it available on our website”.
Legal responsibilities to protect workers’ health and safety are not altered by any changes to ACOPs.
For a copy of the revised ACOP, visit the HSE website.
The complete hard copy edition of HSG274, including revised guidance on hot and cold water systems, and a revised online version of Part 2, will be published in 2014. A PDF version of HSG274 is currently available here in 3 parts.
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