You are not expected to run a water system. Your part is smaller, and it matters. Workers notice things before managers do.
What workers can do
- Follow the routines you are given, such as weekly flushing or showerhead cleaning.
- Complete the log each time, honestly. A missing record can look like a missing check.
- Report problems straight away. Examples are:
- hot taps that never get hot, or cold taps that run warm;
- brown, cloudy or smelly water, or visible slime;
- tanks with missing or damaged lids, or dirt and insects inside;
- dripping taps, leaks and showerheads with heavy scale;
- an outlet or piece of equipment that nobody seems to use or maintain;
- parts of the building that have been empty for some time.
- Do not interfere with heaters, thermostats, chemical dosing or valves.
- Do not remove warning labels or signs from outlets and tanks.
- Avoid creating mist when you flush or clean. Use the method your employer gives you.
- Use any PPE you have been given for the task.
If someone is ill
- Anyone with flu-like symptoms and a cough, who may have been exposed to a water source, should see a doctor and mention that they might have been exposed to legionella.
- Tell your manager if you have been told you have legionellosis. Doctors and public health bodies investigate cases, and the employer may need to check the source.
- Do not wait for a formal instruction before reporting a suspected link.
RIDDOR
Under RIDDOR 2013 (regulation 9), the employer must report to HSE when they receive a diagnosis that a worker has a disease, such as legionellosis, attributed to exposure to a biological agent at work. Cases among the public are investigated by doctors and public health bodies.
What your employer must still do
This course does not replace anything your employer owes you. The employer or duty holder must still:
- carry out the risk assessment for the actual premises and keep it up to date;
- appoint and train a responsible person;
- write and run the written scheme and keep the records;
- train staff who carry out flushing, cleaning or temperature checks, with practical instruction for each task;
- make sure contractors are competent;
- tell you what the arrangements are, and how to report concerns;
- act quickly if a check shows control has failed.
What this course does not do
It is an awareness course. It does not train you to take temperature readings, to disinfect a system, to work on cooling towers or to be a responsible person. Some jobs need practical, role-specific training. It is a certificate of completion, not a regulated or accredited qualification.
Key points
- Follow the routines, log them and report anything wrong.
- Never tamper with heaters, thermostats or treatment equipment.
- Tell your employer and doctor about legionella symptoms.
- The employer must still assess, plan, record and train.
Speaking up
Most legionella problems start as small things that someone noticed but did not report. A showerhead covered in scale, a tap that runs lukewarm, a tank lid left off. If you tell the responsible person early, they can fix it before it becomes a risk. Reporting is never a nuisance, and an employer cannot treat a worker unfairly for raising a genuine health and safety concern.