Water · 6 min read
Legionella: an employer's guide to ACOP L8
Who's responsible, what a risk assessment covers, and the monitoring you need afterwards.
Who's responsible
The person who controls the premises (employer, landlord or facilities manager) is the duty holder under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH and ACOP L8.
The risk assessment
An assessor maps your hot and cold water systems, identifies where Legionella could grow (stored water at 20–45°C, dead legs, little-used outlets) and sets out control measures.
Monitoring
Typically monthly outlet and calorifier temperatures, six-monthly tank temperatures, an annual tank inspection, and a review of the full assessment every two years or after changes.
Keeping records
Results go in a site log book. If you're not sure how to do the checks, we can train your staff or do them for you.
Call 0161 427 0541 for free advice, or run the compliance checker.