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Checking Temperature On A Calorifier

5 key issues to consider about Legionella and care homes

Legionnaires’ disease can cause serious illness and, in some cases, even death if it is not managed correctly.  It is contracted by breathing in droplets of air containing Legionella bacteria.  Legionella bacteria occurs naturally and enters the water system through the mains water supply.  Airborne water droplets are created by water systems such as showers, spa baths, hydrotherapy baths and hot and cold-water services such as spray taps.

While anyone could become infected there are some groups who are more susceptible, and these include the elderly and those with existing underlying health conditions.  Therefore, it is so important for Care Homes to act and put in place a robust management system and practical solutions to protect anyone in their care who may be at risk from the disease.

There are no known cases of Legionnaires’ disease from the natural environment, this is because it is only in man-made water systems where the conditions are right for the bacteria to proliferate.

Earlier this year the private care provider BUPA was fined £3m for failing to prevent and control an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease when very sadly a resident died. Click on the link below to read more: https://www.healthandsafetyatwork.com/legionnaires-disease/bupa-kenneth-ibbetson

Checking temperature on a calorifier
Checking temperature on a calorifier

Where to start?

Controlling legionella in nursing and residential care homes starts with a legionella risk assessment of the hot and cold-water systems to ensure a scheme is put in place to control the risk.  Temperature is the usual method of control with systems operated at the required temperatures to prevent legionella bacteria from growing.  Hot water must be stored at 60°c and distributed at 50°c or higher to all outlets.  Thermostatic mixer valves may need to be fitted at outlets to prevent scalding.  Cold water must be stored and distributed at 20°c.

Regular checks need to be carried out in accordance with the risk assessment, some of these checks can be carried out by your own trained site staff or alternatively you can choose an experienced water hygiene company to do these on your behalf.  Whichever option you choose a key factor for compliance is the management of the control scheme which includes correct record keeping.

Cold water storage tanks must be visually inspected at least every 6 months and cleaned as required. The temperature of stored water must be checked to ensure it is 20°c or less.  Showerheads and hoses must be cleaned and descaled quarterly.   Calorifiers (hot water cylinders) need to be drained and internally cleaned and inspected annually.

It is also important to reduce the possibility of stagnating water in a system, so a risk assessment will identify dead-legs in the pipework which will need to be removed.  Little used outlets which can include showers and taps must be flushed weekly or removed to prevent stagnation.

Electronic log book

Using a cloud-based log book is one of the best ways to keep on top of all the monitoring tasks which need to be performed.  Dantek has developed an easy to use cloud-based system which we provide for free to all our contract customers.  The system ensures all your data for legionella compliance is held in one place and can be reported on and scrutinised, so you know where any problems are and what you need to do to rectify them.  For a short demo of the system please email info@dantek.co.uk.

5 key points to consider

  1. Do you have an up to date legionella risk assessment and control scheme in place?
  2. Who is the competent person to manage the risks from legionella?
  3. Are your water systems kept clean, with correct temperature controls and no stagnant water?
  4. Are you frequently checking temperatures remain in line with the ACoPL8 HSE guidance?
  5. Do you have accurate records in place to show external agencies?

Dantek is listed on the Legionella Control Association directory of companies who specialise in the prevention and control of legionella bacteria. Do get in touch if you would like to find out more about our legionella prevention and control plans.

Emma Reed

Employee profile: Emma Reed

When did you start working at Dantek?

I have been working at Dantek for 8 years, providing administrative support to the operations team.  I am responsible for producing certificates which are sent to customers for tank cleaning and disinfection work and reporting sample results to customers. 

I log all the samples taken by our engineers out on site and record them accurately including the customer, site, date, time, sample location (outlet) and sample type.  We take about 500 samples per month and each one must be carefully recorded onto a spreadsheet and submitted to the lab.

What type of samples do you deal with daily?

The most common samples I process are for Legionella, TVC (Total viable count), TVCC (total viable count and coliforms/e.coli), TVCC and pseudomonas aeruginosa taken for swimming pools.  LTHW closed system samples include TVC, NRB, SRB and Pseudomonas species.  Pseudomonas aeruginosa are often taken in health care premises.

All our samples are submitted to a UKAS accredited lab to be tested.  The lab emails me the results and I then take the necessary actions. This will include informing the account manager so they can decide on the next step including informing the customer of the results, I do this immediately when the results are positive.  With a Legionella sample, if serogroup 1 is detected this is the most serious and action will be required immediately. 

TVC are an indication of the total number of culturable bacteria in a given sample, with these we are looking at trends to indicate the bacterial activity in the water for example in a cooling tower. If any E. coli or coliforms are detected these are classed as a fail. 

When a sample has failed, we may advise a resample or where there have been multiple failures a disinfection is often required. It is important to consider past sample results and the level of detection in the sample.  In some instances, disinfection will not get the desired results so we may recommend that a chlorine dioxide system be installed.

What is a common question you often get asked by customers?

The most common question is how long will it take to get my results back?

12 days for final legionella results.  The lab inform us if there are any positive results on day 6 but these are interim results and could change. 

TVC results come back after approx. 5 days.  The lab will inform us if E.coli or coliforms are detected within 3 days.

SRB results take 21 days.  However we are able to supply the results for the other tests carried out alongside these (TVC, NRB, and Pseudomonas species) usually within 7 days.

Are there any factors which influence the samples?

Old buildings with old pipework and disused outlets can cause problems and increase the likelihood of getting a positive result.  Environmental factors like temperature can cause more bacteria to grow within systems so I did notice a spike in positive samples last summer for example.

It is very important to take the sample correctly and keep taps clean.  Little used outlets must be run weekly to prevent stagnation. Occasionally we can have issues with the way in which the sample was taken so following best practice is obviously the correct way to sample.  Our engineers are trained how to use aseptic techniques and follow specific procedures.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really like the people I work with and I am interested in the technical element of my work.  I am looking to improve my technical knowledge so I can advise customers and improve the service we offer. 

HSE Logo

HSE Legionella e bulletin

The HSE published another useful round up of the latest news about Legionnaires’ disease. It includes details of the prosecution in December 2018 of Tendring District Council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £ 27,000  plus £ 7,500 costs, after a member of the public contracted Legionnaires’ Disease from a leisure centre hot and cold water system.

There is also a very useful link to download free factsheets about Rapid Microbiological Testing Methods produced by the WMS. Information about events coming up and the HSE Water Treatment Contractor Intervention Programme.

To read the full bulletin click: HSE Legionella Ebulletin

You can subscribe to the HSE Legionella bulletin’s and have them delivered directly into your inbox, ensuring you are kept up to date on Legionella control.

Legionella Sample Testing

Legionella testing – when do you need to take legionella samples?

Legionella sampling
UKAS accredited Legionella sampling

Do I need to take Legionella samples? 

It is a common misconception that taking Legionella samples is a requirement for Legionella control in domestic hot and cold water systems.  In fact, microbiological monitoring of domestic hot and cold water is not normally a requirement for compliance with current guidance. However, Legionella sampling would be required in high risk situations or in systems where current controls are shown to be failing. For example, if temperature control is consistently unachievable or disinfection concentrations are not satisfactory then alternative precautions should be carried out such as weekly microbiological sampling.

In high risk properties such as hospitals and health care premises, taking samples is a requirement. For specific guidance on microbiological monitoring refer to the BS 7592:2008 – Sampling for Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems – code of practice. 

It is very important to know that taking Legionella tests from domestic water systems does not achieve compliance with the HSE guidance document The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems ACoP L8.  The first step to compliance is to carry out a Legionella risk assessment and, then, to put in place a control scheme based on the findings of the risk assessment.

Whilst the ACoPL8 guidance are not law, they are enforceable under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. A Legionella risk assessment will define actions required for compliance with the guidance, and provide a schedule for any required ongoing monitoring e.g. temperature and biological monitoring if required.   

How long does it take to get a legionella sample result?

The most common question about legionella samples is how long will the results take?  Legionella tests must be analysed at an independent UKAS accredited laboratory. The incubation time for a Legionella test, using the standard culture method, is 10 days, so this is not a quick test to carry out. In the event of a Legionella positive result, the customer will be informed immediately by phone or email with advice about what to do next.

Different methods are available for Legionella testing which reduce the time to get a result from the lab. Some methods can produce a result in as little as 24hours. Please contact the Dantek office for further information if a fast turnaround is required. 

Where do samples need to be taken?

For sites where Legionella monitoring is a requirement in hot and cold water systems, sampling should be carried out in accordance with: BS 7592 Sampling for Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems. Depending on the complexity of the system, the actual number of samples will be worked out. It is important to ensure the sample is representative of the water flowing around the system and not just of the area downstream of the fitting; samples should be taken from separate hot and cold outlets rather than through mixer taps or outlets downstream of TMVs or showers. This will help to identify where any potential colonisation is and will help to inform on appropriate actions going forward.

A sampling plan should be put in place detailing the sampling locations and the type of sampling to undertaken. Whenever possible, samples should be taken from locations considered most likely to contain the highest numbers of legionellae.

Locations for Legionella samples in cold water systems

  1. From the point of entry of the mains or nearest outlet to the point of entry into the building
  2. Cold water storage tanks
  3. From nearest & furthest outlets (Sentinel points) on each branch of the system

Locations for taking Legionella samples in hot water systems

  1. From the nearest outlet to the calorifier
  2. From the base of the calorifier
  3. From the nearest & furthest outlets (sentinel points) on each branch of the system for single pipe systems
  4. From nearest & furthest outlets (sentinel points) on each loop of a circulating system

How is a legionella sample taken?

The scope and type of sampling (pre or post flush) should be set out in the sampling plan. Methods for the different types of sampling are detailed below.  If not specified pre-flush samples will be taken as standard.

A sample will be collected in a new, unused, capped, sterile litre sample bottle using aseptic techniques.  This minimises the chance of cross contamination of the sample and reduces the risk of a resample being required.  The bottles need to be labelled with the exact location where the sample was taken and the exact time and date. 

Dantek Technicians are trained to take the sample using aseptic techniques to prevent cross-contamination.  It is important that the correct sampling technique is used to achieve the most accurate results so that correct preventative actions are completed.

What is an aseptic technique for Legionella sampling?

Aseptic sampling techniques reduce the likelihood of contamination and poor sample results.

When taking samples, the technician must observe the following best practice:

  • Never touch the neck of the bottle or the inside of the lid
  • Ensure the bottle does not come into contact anything which may introduce contamination
  • Do not rinse the bottle out prior to the sample being taken
  • Minimise the time that the bottle is open to atmosphere
  • Only use the correct sterile bottle containing sodium thiosulphate or appropriate neutraliser.
  • Wash hands when sampling
  • Use hand sanitiser when sampling
  • Samples must reach the lab within 48 hours
  • Correct transport procedures should be followed
  • Ensure an air gap is left in the sample bottle

When taking a sample from a cold-water storage tank, the samples are to be taken from the centre of the tank where possible, taking care not to collect any solids.  Move the bottle forward through the water during sampling, ensuring water is only collected from in front of the bottle.

Steps to taking a Legionella sample:

  • Legionella samples must be taken in 1 litre sterile sample bottles containing sodium thiosulphate capable of neutralising up to 5ppm of free chlorine without effecting the bacteriological population.
  • Samples bottles, which are checked to ensure they are in date.
  • Samples bottles are checked before use to ensure that the lid seal is still intact.

Prior to removing the lid, the bottle should be marked with a permanent pen detailing the following information;

  • Customer
  • Site
  • Location of sample, building name, room location, cold water storage tank, calorifier, cooling tower sump, spa pool etc.
  • System identification, mains cold water, tank feed cold, domestic hot.
  • Pre or post-flush
  • Date & time of sample
  • Temperature of the water and/or chlorine dioxide reserve

How to take a pre-flush sample?

  • Do not disinfect the tap/outlet
  • Collect the sample immediately after the tap, or fitting, is opened, ensuring that the sample consists of only the first water which leaves the outlet.
  • Continue to fill the bottle leaving a 1 cm air gap at the top of the bottle.
  • Immediately replace the cap and invert the bottle several times.
  • Place the sample in a cool box and return to the office the same day.

How to take a post-flush sample?

  • Flush approximately 1 litre of water from the outlet.
  • Remove spray any inserts and flow directors from the outlet. It may also be necessary to remove and strainers and non return valves from TMV’s, strainers and solenoid valves.
  • Whilst wearing protective googles & gloves, make up a 200ppm solution of chlorine.
  • Clean the outside of the tap using the disinfectant solution.
  • Inject disinfectant solution into the outlet until it begins to run out of the tap using a wash bottle.
  • Descale and disinfect inserts and flow directors
  • Allow a two-minute contact time for the disinfection to take place.
  • Flush the outlet for 1 minute to remove the disinfectant.
  • Fill the sample bottle without adjusting the flow of water leaving a 1 cm air gap at the top of the bottle.
  • Immediately replace the cap and invert the bottle several times.
  • Place the sample in a cool box and return to the office the same day.
  • Rinse the outlet and surrounding area to remove any remaining disinfectant.

What should I do if the legionella sample comes back positive?

Firstly, don’t panic get in touch with Dantek and we will be able to guide you through the next steps to ensure you deal with the results in the correct way and to ensure your system is back under control as quickly as possible.  What action to take depends largely on the results and if this is the first positive result for the system.

If the first positive Legionella result is less than 1000cfu/ml:

If the minority of sample results are positive but less than 1000cfu/ml then arrange for a re-sample as soon as possible and review the control measures and risk assessment.

If the majority of the samples are positive but again with less than 1000cfu/ml then there is the possibility the system could be colonised at a low level.  Immediate review of control measures and risk assessment are needed and disinfection of the system must be considered.

If the 1st positive Legionella result is greater than 1000cfu/ml take the following action:

  • Arrange for a re-sample to be taken as soon as possible
  • Shut down any processes on the system where the positive sample was taken that can generate and disseminate airborne water droplets
  • Disinfect the system
  • Keep them shut down until sampling procedures and any remedial cleaning or other work has been done
  • Retest a few days after the disinfection and at frequent intervals afterwards until a satisfactory level of control is regained.
  • Review the risk assessment and control measures.

Following positive Legionella results a review of the Legionella risk assessment, control regime and record keeping/log books should be reviewed by checking the following:

  • They are current, up to date and accurate
  • That any remedial actions/recommendations have been completed
  • That the recommended control regime is in place. Identify the failing areas if there are any.
  • That good records are being kept of the activities undertaken
  • A record of the audit including any changes is placed in the log book

The question of whether to take samples or not can seem daunting however the key point to remember is taking samples will not affect levels of contamination on its own and does not necessarily offer compliance with the ACoPL8.  Ensure you keep your legionella risk assessment and control scheme up to date and seek advice from your water hygiene contractor.  If you have any concerns about Legionella samples, do get in touch with us as we are best placed to advice you about the Legionella control on your site.

Further reading:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part2.pdf

BS 7592:2008 Sampling for Legionella bacteria in water systems – code of practice

Public Health England report on Legionnaires’ disease

How many cases of Legionnaires’ disease were there in 2018?

Read about the latest number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales since January 2018. The report gives a breakdown of where the cases occurred geographically and how it was contracted, for example, whether it was through travel or in the community.

Do get in touch if you have any concerns about how to prevent and control legionella bacteria and what you are legally required to do to keep your water safe.

New office in Staffordshire

Expanding Legionella Control Services in Staffordshire

Legionella control Staffordshire: In response to the successful expansion of our business in the Midlands region over the past year, Dantek is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Staffordshire. This strategic move allows us to better serve both new and existing clients in the Midlands area. Over the initial 12-month period, our central team has secured multiple contracts.

With over two decades of collective experience in legionella control, our Midlands team is led by Holly Jakes, a seasoned professional with a decade of tenure at Dantek. Holly’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest service standards and preventing Legionnaires’ disease has been instrumental in driving our growth in the region, all while upholding Dantek’s core values.

Reflecting on our achievements, Holly remarked, “The past year has been marked by significant success, with Dantek’s reputation in the Midlands spreading through word of mouth and recommendations. Our comprehensive services cover all aspects of legionella control, from risk assessments to monthly water monitoring, water treatment, cooling towers, and plumbing remedials. While we benefit from the support of our Thornbury head office, our local management ensures a seamless experience for our clients, from initial inquiry to project completion.”

Based in Cannock and Gloucester, our central team continues to expand, collaborating closely with local businesses, schools, and universities to promote water safety and hygiene.

For more information on how Dantek can assist you in safeguarding your water systems, please contact sales@dantek.co.uk.

http://www.dantek.co.uk

Power Flushing at the O2 arena

Power Flushing: The expert power flushing team at Dantek recently deployed their latest Kamco power flushing pump at the renowned O2 arena in London. This cutting-edge pump is specifically designed for pre-commission flushing of smaller circuits, filling a crucial need where traditional system pumps may not be available. Currently engaged in pre-commission cleaning of heat and chilled circuits for air handling units serving new retail units at the O2 arena, Dantek is committed to delivering exceptional service quality.

According to Steve Sims, Mechanical Supervisor at Dantek, “The new Flushing unit represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor. With the addition of wheels, maneuvering the unit has become much easier. Additionally, the new connections manifold enhances safety, significantly reducing the risk of spillages.” This investment in advanced equipment reflects Dantek’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing their world-class service delivery standards.

Continually investing in state-of-the-art equipment, Dantek ensures they stay at the forefront of their field, providing unmatched solutions to their clients. For professional power flushing services and more, call Dantek now at 01454 417 920.

Email sales@dantek.co.uk

How much should a Legionella risk assessment cost?

 

How long does a legionella risk assessment take
How much is a legionella risk assessment?

Your concerned about compliance and you want a good company, but still, budgets are tight, you need the best value, so what do you need to tell contractors to get a fair price? Or get quotes you could compare? And how do these people work it out anyway? I will attempt to throw some light on the occasionally opaque world of Legionella or water risk assessment pricing.

As a start point I have assumed that you are only going to be dealing with reputable contractors who are specialists in the industry, generally members of the Legionella control association, possibly UKAS accredited, who can prove they are competent and have a solid track record. There have been operators in the marketplace who will ‘buy’ risk assessment contracts with the intention of raking the money back on follow-on works and contracts, this is a clear conflict of interest, and I advise avoiding it.

A Legionella risk assessment is a form of consultancy, which means it is, for the most part, a labour only service. This means the big question is – how long is it going to take? Once we figure this out, multiply the time by a day rate and bingo! A price.

Top tip; Ask what the standard day rate is for a surveyor, but be careful, some include administration time some don’t.

Estimating how long a survey will take is a fine art, but there are some variables to consider:

Geography

Where is the site? Or where are the sites? Travel time is working time, and you pay for it. Ideally, you’ll use someone local if you have a big single site or cluster of buildings, but sometimes this isn’t practical. If you have many disparate sites, you can get some great economies on a round robin or road trip type basis. Also, these are fun for the surveyors. Years ago, I risk assessed every driving test centre in Scotland on a road trip basis and had a great time.

Once you understand the logistics of getting the surveyor to and from the site, how long will they be there? The two big factors in this debate are; what water services have you got? And how hard will they look? The second point can be contentious, so I’ll deal with what you’ve got first.

Water Assets and system complexity

I have seen many different approaches to convey what is on site, varying from line item asset registers, copies of the previous risk assessments to lists of the gross internal areas of properties. The surveyor’s point of view generally stems from, how difficult is this system going to be for me to understand and how many assets do I have to survey? For example, a large modern office block could seem like a big beast but in reality, may have plant room in the basement, a single wet riser by the lift shaft, toilets and kitchenettes on each floor plus a couple of cleaners cupboards, simple. In contrast, a stately home converted to halls of residence can contain multiple systems and a dog’s breakfast of assets and pipework that would reduce the finest to tears.

Top tip: Give what information you have, including building use, number of stories, and location

 

The industry refers to all hot and cold-water systems for toilets, sinks, showers etc. as domestic systems. These are almost universally included in risk assessments, but what about cooling towers, industrial uses of water, humidifiers, water features, medical equipment? The survey should cover all water assets one way or another.

In the industry, we benefit from huge amounts of experience so in talking about your buildings we build a picture of what we are dealing with, by being as honest and open as you can you will get the most realistic estimate possible.

The depth of the survey

If you have been on the forums this is a hot potato; the fastidious independent contractors shout down the ‘stack’em high sell it cheap’ brigade for being cowboys and the quick ‘all done on an iPad survey’ crew retort about over-egging the pie. The truth is the risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient, just as the lower the risk, the less you have to do, the converse is also true. There is a place for the iAuditor type surveys on lower risk properties, retail outlets, provincial train stations and minor highways depots etc.

Conversely, if you’re looking after NHS estates, your burden is much greater. The best advice I can give is to view example documents on properties similar to yours, talk to the contractor and understand what they intend to return. You need to feel comfortable the contractor has your best interests front and centre, and they are not ‘flogging you what they’ve got’.

Begin with the end in mind

The Legionella risk assessment certainly ticks a box for compliance but if done well is a tremendous source of information regarding your water assets. Think about practical outputs, for example, how do you expect to see non-compliances reported? Do you want them separated in a way you could pass to a mechanical contractor or your onsite plumbing team?

Talking to your suppliers about Legionella control in a wider context beyond the risk assessment can pay dividends in understanding how the document could support your efforts to implement a successful control regime later on. You’ll be amazed what you can get for free during the risk assessment process just by asking, consider;

  • Do you want accurate schematics drawn in AutoCAD?
  • Would it be handy if the pipe runs are overlaid on your existing building schematics?
  • Would you like an electronic copy of the asset register in excel?
  • Do you want the assets in an electronic logbook as part of the deal?

A word about water samples

There is no hard or prescribed requirement to take microbiological samples during the risk assessment process, in our company we don’t take them as a matter of course but others do. I could write another thousand words on the pros and cons of sampling, but ultimately, to compare quotes you need to understand if they have been included for and if so how many. The current market rate for a Legionella test at a UKAS accredited laboratory is about thirty pounds so cost can be significant if a meaningful number of samples are taken.

 

At the end of the day

All risk assessment quotes have at their core an estimation of how long the survey is going to take and the report to produce, as a buyer you should understand and be comfortable that your supplier will do a job that is acceptable to you in the time they have quoted. At the bulk end of the market, if you are paying one hundred pounds or less for a risk assessment, your contractor is expecting to do four or more sites per day and is not expecting to find very much. Industry rates vary from three hundred to six hundred pounds per day for a qualified Legionella risk assessor as a guideline.

There are many decent companies out there all of them should welcome sensible discussions on the big question – how long is it going to take?

Dantek are a specialist provider of Legionella control services including Legionella risk assessments.

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Employee profile: Darren Grant Legionella Risk Assessor

Legionella risk assessment jobs
Carrying out a Legionella risk assessment

When did you join Dantek?

I was the very first employee at Dantek when I joined the company in 2003!  I started my career as a Water Hygiene Engineer; cleaning tanks, temperature monitoring and descaling showers.

I started at bottom and worked my way up to now being one of the lead Legionella risk assessors at Dantek.  I have carried out over 2000 legionella risk assessment surveys and reports, so have built up a vast breadth of knowledge from straight forward domestic hot and cold water systems to cooling towers and industrial process systems.

Becoming a Legionella risk assessor?

Becoming a qualified Legionella risk assessor takes time and for me evolved from being a Water Hygiene Engineer.  It starts with on the job training, learning about identification of risk while temperature monitoring and carrying out checks on water systems.  Dantek have a training programme for legionella risk assessors which includes class room based learning, practical training and mentor assessment.  Once this has been satisfactorily completed the next step is to qualify with City and Guilds, WMS courses in risk assessment.

I feel experience is the thing which really qualifies you and this can only happen over time. You need understanding in order to assess risk.  It is vitally important to understand a system for example; when risk assessing a cooling tower you have to know how they work and what chemicals are being used to treat the system, in order to know how this may impact the assessment of risk in regard to legionella bacteria.

Where do you start when carrying out a legionella risk assessment?

I assess holistically and always from first principle, by starting at the point at which the mains water enters the building and tracing the water systems from the mains, cold water tanks or calorifiers.  It is important to gather as much information from the client, especially about the management of Legionella control on the site and who are the key responsible people involved with managing the risks identified.

What challenges do you come across?

Buildings can be deceptive from the outside, often a seemingly straight forward building from the outside can house a complicated process system which can be challenging, but also the most satisfying to assess.

The report writing can be challenging as the assessment of risk can take time to work out once all the data has been collected and considered.

What work are you most proud of?

Definitely the work I have carried out for the NHS.  I know the guidance; HTM 04-01 inside out and have built up a really strong relationship with Plymouth Livewell and Wonford Hospital, both of which I have worked with for over 10 years.  It is a big responsibility to be working where there are high risk populations but also satisfying to know your work is making a difference.

 

What do you enjoy about your job?

I enjoy the variety of the work and going to quirky places for example risk assessing an abattoir or a military base.  Schools can be challenging particularly when the students are there as they can be very curious about what you are doing.

I enjoy the flexibility of my work, and value the trust and level of responsibility I have at Dantek.

I have a really good friendship with Martin Kingdon (Technical Director) stretching back to pre-Dantek days, and have received a huge amount of support from Martin over the years.  His knowledge of Legionella is vast and I can always turn to him for guidance and reassurance when dealing with the more technical assessments I come across.

What do you like doing for fun?

I love spending time with family and going on holidays. I am a lifelong passionate surfer, there is nothing better than being out on a wet winters day when no-one is around.  I am also a big fan of Formula 1 and relish the chance  to catch up on the latest Grand Prix on a Sunday evening.

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