Legionnaire's disease is a potentially deadly flu-like condition caused by toxic amounts of legionella bacteria. The illness is rare but can be deadly, and efforts must be taken to prevent legionella bacteria from growing in water systems.
The legionella bacteria is found in all water systems and, under the correct circumstances, may be deadly. The bacterium causes significant sickness when breathed as water droplets. It must be managed due to the danger to public health.
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What Is The Responsibility For Dental Practices?
Dental practices owe a duty of care to their patients and employees, and they must safeguard them from harm. It is the employer's or the person in charge of a premises' legal obligation to organise water safety tests and monitor the danger of legionella.
You are required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to follow the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8.
What Makes Dental Practices A Legionella Risk?
Legionella thrives in warm water, but hot water systems are equally vulnerable. Legionnaire's disease is spread by inhaling water vapour, therefore water spray poses a danger. Legionella bacteria can grow more readily in stagnant water systems.
Dental practices are in danger in the following areas:
Sinks and toilets
Washing machines
Sinks for patients and rinse faucets
Washing stations for equipment
Tanks for holding water
There is a danger wherever humans come into touch with water, especially spray. Water that has been left standing, such as a toilet that hasn't been flushed since the weekend, may increase the danger. Legionella testing for dental clinics determines your level of risk.
How To Minimise And Damage The Risk
Regular legionella risk assessments and monitoring are the best strategies to reduce and control the legionella bacteria risk. Arranging a site inspection with a competent risk assessor assists you in being safe and compliant. They evaluate your dental practice's water hygiene and safety.
During the survey, the risk assessor looks for any sources of water. This might include things like taps, toilets, cleaning and washing facilities, and tanks. They will get access to all of the water systems on your property and collect readings.
The findings will be presented to you in the form of a report, and any necessary corrective actions will be quoted for. We provide you with an overview of what monitoring is necessary to be compliant after doing an initial legionella risk assessment.
We hope this post has given you a better understanding of legionella testing for dental clinics. Do you need a water treatment firm to keep your dental office safe and compliant? Contact Assured Water to learn more about the water treatment services necessary to keep your company compliant.