Legionella Awareness

About the course

Brief Description of the Course:

This is a fully online course and requires access to an internet enabled computer or tablet. Once students receive the log in details for the programme then they can complete the course at any time and the certificate can be printed off at the end of the course. The course consists of a series of short training units followed by a quiz. The quiz can be retaken if it is not achieved at the first attempt.

Legionella is a type of water-borne bacteria that can often be found in harmlessly low numbers in ponds, rivers and lakes. However the bacteria can rapidly multiply to harmful quantities if they find their way into purpose-built systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools used in both work and domestic premises.

Legionella training is a legal requirement for those with a level of responsibility for the prevention & control of legionella – there are over 40 different species of legionella bacteria. The HSE write in their L8 guidance about legionella that:

“Inadequate management, lack of training and poor communication are all contributory factors in outbreaks of legionnaires’ disease. It is therefore important that the people involved in assessing risk and applying precautions are competent, trained and aware of their responsibilities.”

Our training refers to – and summarises information in the ‘HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8 The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’ as well as relevant medical & scientific information.

Furthermore, our legionella training also makes reference to and summarises information from the following legislation:

• HSG274 Part 1: The control of legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems
• HSG274 Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems
• HSG 274 Part 3: The control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems
• Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
• The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers 1992
• The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
• Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

Entry Requirements:

This course is available to all individuals with an internet enabled tablet or computer. The training and assessment is only available in English.

All applicants must complete fire awareness before they can access any further courses.

Certification:

This course is certified by the CPD certification service.

Course Units:

Legionella, Legionellosis & Legionnaires’ Disease – Susceptibility, chain of infection, and symptoms.

Types of Water Systems – Cooling towers, domestic systems, evaporative, spa pools and other risk systems.

Legislation – Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and more (as listed in main body).

Legionella Risk Assessment – Conducting a legionella risk assessment; which is a legal requirement in order to comply with HSE AcoP L8.

Legionella Control – Temperature control, stagnation control, biocide treatments, cleaning and disinfection.

Legionella Record Keeping – The reasons for keeping a well-detailed record, and what to include in it.

Progression:

Please see the industry short online training section of the Adult Skills website for our full training offer.

How to Apply:

To apply for this programme, please complete the on-line application form using the links on the right of the factsheet on the website.

Please note that the information provided in this fact sheet was accurate at the date of publication. However, programmes of study are continually being modified and information is therefore subject to change.