Cordtape employs asbestos removal operatives and thermal insulation engineers. The Company runs a fleet of transit vans capable of towing decontamination units in compliance with EH47.
The Cordtape site is a Registered Transfer Station for asbestos waste removal and its safe disposal both for small contract and emergency work projects when normal tipping facilities are not available.
What are the steps to be taken in controlling legionella bacteria in UK ? The basic guide released by the Health and Safety Commissions Approved Code of Practice, L8 "Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems" outlines the steps to be taken in the prevention, maintaining and managing the risk of the bacteria.
Legionella bacteria occurs naturally and widespread in natural water systems such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. It can easily get into man made water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.
HSC's guide to controlling legionella bacteria in UK water systems is particularly helpful to employers with hot and cold water services and/or wet cooling systems including cooling towers and evaporative condensers.
The following questions and concerns were tackled extensively in the HSC guide:
• Information about Legionnaire's Disease
• Where is Legionella bacteria found?
• Duties of employers under the law
• Assessing Legionella risks
• Water systems that present greatest risk
• Preventing and controlling the risks
• Reducing water temperatures and its effect on other methods
of controlling legionella bacteria in UK
• Water treatment methods to use
• Taking samples for legionella test
• Risk management
• Keeping of records
• Other duties to be undertaken
• Outbreak management
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila in UK water systems is responsible for Legionnaire's disease. When left untreated it can lead to pneumonia and even death in extreme cases. Signs and symptoms are like that of a flu such as chills, feverishness and high temperature; cough; headache; pneumonia (very occasionally); and diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion.
Employers have the duty of reporting to the proper authorities the occurrence of the disease in the workplace to prevent an outbreak and also manage the risk.
