Safety Strategies against Legionnaires Disease - Assignment Example

Safety Strategies against Legionnaires Disease By: Institution: Course: Instructor: Date of submission: Question one: the Statutory Responsibility placed on Acme Hydrocarbons Limited and Contractor Flow System The 2002 COSHH offers an action framework designed to assess, control or prevent risks as a result of bacteria. Various systems are available to ensure a supply of cold and hot water that vary in size, complexity as well as scale. All these have the capacity to expose the company's workers to legionella disease. The company has a responsibility for ensuring the control of temperature as a way of reducing legionella risk in cold as well as hot water systems. It is essential to maintain the systems of cold water at a temperature that does not exceed 20 degree Celsius. It is important for the company to store the hot water at a temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius. Since Legionella bacteria are present in water and the multiplication of this bacteria, occur when the temperature is from 20 degree Celsius to about 45 degrees Celsius, it is important to raise the temperature to about 60 degrees Celsius because this will kill all the bacteria (Great Britain2008, p. 5). The company's water systems should be in such a way that the Legionella growth is substantially prevented. The distribution of hot water should be at 50 degrees Celsius or a higher temperature. It is important to fit thermostatic mixer valves at close range to the outlets, where there is the identification of scald risk. The company is responsible for ensuring that the storage as well as the distribution of cold water not more than 20 degree Celsius. The company and the contractor flow system should also pinpoint ‘sentinel' outlets for the distribution temperature's monthly check. Each month, the company should check the temperature of the storage cylinder of the hot water as well as the temperatures of cold water at a range of six months. The growth of Legionella is favored by stagnant water, and thus, the company should take necessary measures to ensure that this water is drained out (Great Britain 2009, p. 9). The company can achieve this by removing dead ends or dead legs in pipe-work, flush out outlets that are infrequently used each week and ensure that the heads, as well as the horse of the de-scale, are cleaned after every three months. It is important to have a periodic cleaning of the tanks storing the cold water to check whether signs of corrosion or debris are present. Another responsibility of the company is to ensure that the design of the systems is in such a way that is reducing the growth of Legionella. This is by: Keeping the pipework as direct and as short as possible Adequately insulating tanks and pipes Preventing contamination mainly by ensuring that the reservoir is fitted with insect screens and lids. Apart from that, the company should take the responsibility of periodically analyzing the water for Legionella to give a demonstration that the counts of the bacteria are within the acceptable range. The determination of the frequency should be in determining the risk level as per the assessment of the risk. Other methods that the company can utilize to reduce Legionella include the biocide and treatment and the ionization of silver and copper. Heating cause the water within the system to expand, therefore, the company should consider having safety and pressure valve. The distribution of hot water from the company's pressurized systems can be utilized in both non-recirculation and recirculation systems (New Zealand 2011, p. 12). Question Two: the current risk of exposure to legionella bacteria Legionella is a pathogen of public health concern, and its control requires a risk assessment. It is fatal pneumonia whose susceptibility is high among the immunosuppressed, smokers, those with other illnesses, as well as those will advance age or young children. Globally, legionellosis disease is caused by Legionella pneumophilia. The bacteria, as well as the related bacteria, are present in natural sources of water, for instance, lakes, rivers, as well as reservoirs. The bacteria are also available in water systems for example evaporative condensers, cooling towers, as well as cold and hot water systems. Appropriate measures of controlling the condition are essential because a higher level of growth increase Legionnaires' disease risk. Recently, cases of Legionellosis have increased. In 2011, the cases in Europe stood at 4897 and in U.S, the rate of incidence was 1.36 instances in every 100,000 people. In Australia, there were 2.2 instances in every 100,000 (Barr 2012, p. 236). Each year, there are about 200-250 cases of Legionnaires disease that are reported. However, there may be underestimation of this number. Many cases of this condition go unreported meaning that the prevalence is higher than what is reported. The outbreak of this disease originated from the U.K although no infection source has been traced. However, most of the outbreaks have been reported in cold and hot systems of cooling water present in hotels, factories, hospitals, as well as other establishments. Assessing the risk for Legionellosis is especially essential for managers as well as public health officials responsible for water system' maintenance as well as cooling towers maintenance. The exact statistics of Legionellosis cases is not known, and estimates are that the incidences could be 20 times more compared to what is currently reported (Bartram 2007, p. 25). The infection risk can be controlled by ensuring that there is effective management of spa pools. In the workplace, the exposure risk to Legionellosis disease is present if the place has: Evaporative condenser or cooling tower Spa pools Cold and hot water systems Wet/dry cooling systems Other potential methods of risk With the right environmental conditions, could act as the growth source for Legionellosis bacteria. The reasonably foreseeable risk is the water system with: Water temperature ranging from 20 to 45 degree Celsius Spreads or creates breathable droplets, for example, aerosols generated by water outlets or a cooling tower. Re-circulates or stores water Man-made systems of water are the commonest legionella sources. Other potential system acts as risk include air washers, emergency showers, humidifiers, and indoor ornamental fountains. It is the duty of every employer to ensure that the risks of acquiring Legionellosis are properly managed (Great Britain 2010, p. 1). Incidental biological agent's exposure can arise when the activity of an employee result in contact with material containing an infectious agent for instance Legionella bacteria. Several components of water systems have been linked to Legionella risk, and they include strainers, filters, and outlets or other out of use parts. Lack of training, poor communication, and inadequate management substantially contribute to Legionnaires' disease outbreak. It is important for the contractors to notify the duty holder regarding any risks that have been identified as well as the strategies for ensuring safe operation and maintenance of the system (Great Britain 2014, p. 2). One can contract the disease by breathing in Legionella bacteria, either in droplet nuclei, or aerosols (droplets of water) with Legionella contamination, deep into the lungs. Another way in which the disease can be contracted is through legionella bacteria inhalation after susceptible individuals ingest contaminated water. No record shows the spread of the disease from one person to the next. Among the symptoms of the illness include chills, high fever, muscle pain, high fever, and headache. Other symptoms include difficulties while breathing, dry cough, vomiting or diarrhea. Deposits supporting the growth of the bacteria as well as offering a nutrient source for the bacteria such as sludge, dust, organic matter, biofilms, and rust are other conditions for the occurrence of the bacteria (Green, 2013, p. 157). Question three: The Response Letter Dear HSE, Acme Hydrocarbons Limited admit that the risk assessment of the cooling system is not sufficient as well as suitable under the 2002 COSHH (Control of Substances and Hazardous to Health) especially about biological agents' exposure. Apart from that, the local authorities were not notified as per 1992 "Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers". As a company, we would take fully responsible for carrying out an assessment of risk as well as the management of risks. We are fully aware of the components of the cooling system mainly evaporative condenser as well as other elements of cooling, cooling tower, the heat exchanger, the re-circulating pipe work, ancillary items and pumps for instance pre-treatment equipment and supply tanks. Since the company has a cooling system, appropriate measures are in place to control or prevent the risk of bacterial infection such as legionella risk. Otherwise, it is important to ensure that other measures are in place and must be sufficient to control as well as prevent the danger of contracting Legionella bacteria (Health and Safety Laboratory (Great Britain) & Great Britain 2013, p. 2). Another responsibility of the company would be to ensure that the design, as well as the construction of the Evaporative Cooling System, is taking in mind the safe operations as well as maintenance, help disinfection and cleaning as well as control water droplets release. In particular, Acme Hydrocarbons Ltd should consider taking numerous actions. Evaporative condensers, as well as cooling towers, would be composed of materials that can resist corrosion and can be cleaned and disinfected easily. The construction of the smaller units will be with mild steel GRP (glass reinforced plastic), and stainless steel. The company would consider replacing its current towers with treated timber and concrete. Drift eliminators, as well as fill packs, would mainly be composed of polypropylene or PVC. Evaporative condensers, as well as cooling towers, would have great fresh ambient air that plays a role in removing the heat which is eventually cleared into the atmosphere encompassing water vapor (Great Britain 2014, p. 1). To ensure that there is routine maintenance, the location of the towers would be away from ventilation inlets not near open windows or air conditioning. All towers would be installed with drift eliminators to ensure a reduction in aerosols. The company's pond or base tank would have a full enclosure to ensure that the sun does not have a direct contact with water. Apart from that, the company would design as well as protect the inlets of air to minimize windage losses or reduce splash-out and to ensure that leaves, as well as other contaminants, are avoided. Balance pipes and other windpipe works would be simple, avoiding dead legs as well as non-drained sections which can result in stagnation leading to microbial growth (Rangel, Delclos, Emery, & Symanski 2011, p. 250). It would be essential to flush out parts that are stagnated mainly with biocide treated water. The tower's cleanliness, as well as the other associated plant, would be necessary for the cooling station's safe operation such a measure shall be taken into consideration. Besides, the company would ensure a periodic cleaning of the entire system. All the parts that are wetted, for instance, the tower's internal surfaces water distribution system, fill packs, and drill eliminators would be easily accessible to ensure cleanliness assessment is conducted with ease (Great Britain 2013, p. 3). The company would reconstruct the tower to ensure that the materials making it are not supporting the growth of microorganisms, and to ensure that they can be easily disinfected. Control of the level of operating water in the cooling tower would be essential to keep off splash-out and overflow which have an effect on levels of treatment chemicals and also lead to aerosols'' release. The fans of the tower would be controlled automatically by many inverters which make sure that the speed of the fan responds to the load on the system. The frequency inverters would further regulate the air speed, and this would mainly be through the drift eliminators, which eventually ensure a limitation of the amount of the tower direction. The company would ensure that the system is safe through correct maintenance as well as operation. Apart from that, it is important for the company to comprehend the health risks posed by bacteria such as legionella (Great Britain 2011, p. 5). Bibliographies Barr, S. 2012. Legionairres Disease. Burnside Distribution Corp. Bartram, J. 2007. Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis. Geneva, World Health Organization. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=329010. Great Britain. 2008. HSE contract research report. Bootle, Merseyside, HSE. Great Britain. 2009. HSE information sheet. [London], HSE. Great Britain. 2010. Legionnaires' disease: the control of legionella bacteria in water systems ; approved code of practice & guidance. Sudbury, HSE Books. Great Britain. 2010. Water systems: health technical memorandum 04-01 : the control of Legionella, hygiene, "safe" hot water, cold water and drinking water systems. London, Stationery Office. Great Britain. 2011. Water systems: the control of 'Legionella', hygiene, 'safe' hot water, cold water and drinking water systems. London, TSO. Great Britain. 2013. COSHH: a brief guide to the regulations ; what you need to know about the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation 2002. Sudbury, HSE Books. Great Britain. 2013. COSHH: a brief guide to the regulations. [Sudbury], Health and Safety Executive. Great Britain. 2014. A step by step guide to COSHH assessment. [Sudbury?], HSE. Great Britain. 2014. Legionnaires' disease: technical guidance. Health and Safety Executive. Green, P. N. 2013. Efficacy of biocides on laboratory-generated Legionella biofilms. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 17, 158-161. Health and Safety Laboratory (Great Britain), & Great Britain. 2013. An introduction to the control of legionella bacteria in water systems. Sudbury, Suffolk, HSE Books. New Zealand. 2011. The prevention of Legionellosis in New Zealand guidelines for the control of Legionella bacteria. Wellington, N.Z., Ministry of Health. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/10786/$File/prevention-of-legionellosis-in-nz.pdf. Rangel, K., Delclos, G., Emery, R., & Symanski, E. 2011. Assessing Maintenance of Evaporative Cooling Systems in Legionellosis Outbreaks. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 8, 249-265. Read More