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Legionella bacteria are a risk to public health. They can cause what is known as Legionnaires' disease (Legionellosis). Under certain circumstances these bacteria may grow in water systems to health-threatening numbers. If aerosols develop that people may breathe in, they run the risk of being infected with the dreaded Legionella bacteria.
Since 1 January 2004, companies with aerosol-forming installations such as cooling towers, evaporating condensers and air humidifiers, must have a “Management plan Legionella prevention”. Before compiling this management plan, first a risk analysis must be carried out under the Health and Safety at Work Act (Arbo besluit afd.9, biologische agentia, par.2, art.4.87a and b). It will be obvious that systems of this type carry a risk of development and spread of Legionella bacteria. Late 2004, the Ministry of social affairs and employment issued information sheet AI-32, which must serve as a guideline for setting up a “Management plan Legionella prevention”.
In addition, in 2008 ISSO publication 55.3, Legionella prevention in climate installations, was published. This publication converts the Arbo policy rules Legionella prevention and Arbo information sheet AI-32 into practical guidelines for the Legionella-safe design, implementation and management of wet cooling towers and air humidification systems.
According to messages of September 2007, Minister Cramer of the Ministry of housing, spatial planning and the environment [VROM] intends to include Legionella prevention for wet cooling towers in the Environmental Protection Act. Currently, the Arbo Act imposes the responsibility for maintenance for cooling towers upon the employers. But in certain cases, for example in apartment buildings and shared office premises, it is not possible to single out an employer. Minister Cramer wants to fill that gap in the regulations by imposing a duty of care for the surrounding area upon the owner. Municipalities (and environment departments) must supervise that. The Arbo inspectorate does remain responsible for monitoring the Arbo rules. In addition, municipalities must register the cooling towers in order to be able to trace the source better and quicker in the event of a Legionella outbreak. Mandatory notification with further preventive regulations for wet cooling towers will be introduced mid 2009.
Legionella prevention is an important issue for Aquacare. We supply risk analyses and management plans for technical installations. Our own staff can carry out any activities and modifications resulting from the plan of approach in consultation with our clients.
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