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Legionella Risk Assessment: 5 Things Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

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As a business owner, ensuring the safety of your premises isn’t just a legal obligation; it’s a moral responsibility.

One of the most overlooked threats in commercial buildings is Legionella bacteria, which can grow in water systems and cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

Whether you own an office building, hotel, care home, factory, or retail premises, understanding how to prevent Legionella is essential. As the business owner, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring your water systems are safe.

A Legionella risk assessment forms the foundation of compliance and prevention, and failing to carry one out correctly can lead to serious health risks, legal penalties, and financial loss.

Here are five critical things every entrepreneur needs to know about Legionella risk assessments, and why they matter for your business.

1. You’re Legally Responsible for Legionella Risk as a Business Owner

you-are-legally-responsible-for-legionella-risk-as-a-business-owner Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and supporting guidance such as ACoP L8, anyone who owns or controls commercial premises is legally required to assess and manage the risk of Legionella bacteria.

As the duty holder, which in most entrepreneurial setups will be you, you are responsible for ensuring that your water systems are safe and compliant. This applies whether you own a single building or multiple properties as part of a growing business portfolio.

Ignoring this duty can lead to prosecution, financial penalties, and reputational harm, especially if someone becomes seriously ill or dies due to poor Legionella management.

2. Every Water System Must Be Assessed, No Matter the Size

Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, particularly between 20°C and 45°C. That means virtually every commercial water system, large or small, poses some level of risk if not properly managed.

Systems that require a Legionella risk assessment include:

Hot and cold water systems (including taps, showers, tanks, calorifiers, and pipework)
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers
Spa pools, hot tubs, and hydrotherapy equipment
Indoor fountains, decorative water features, and misting systems
Humidifiers and air washers
Emergency showers and eyewash stations

Even a simple hot water tank and a few taps can present risk factors. A competent Legionella risk assessor will identify these hazards, determine the level of risk, and recommend how to manage it appropriately.

3. Compliance Doesn’t End With a Risk Assessment. It Starts There

compliance-soes-not-end-with-a-risk-assessment Many entrepreneurs assume that once a Legionella risk assessment is completed, they have fulfilled their obligation. In reality, this is just the starting point for ongoing compliance and control.

To remain compliant, you need a Legionella management programme, which includes:

A Written Scheme of Control: This document outlines how risks will be controlled and monitored.
A Responsible Person: Someone trained and competent must manage Legionella control on a day-to-day basis.
Staff Training: Any team members involved in water system maintenance must understand their responsibilities.
Ongoing Monitoring: Regular temperature checks, flushing of infrequently used outlets, system inspections, and accurate record-keeping are essential.
Remedial Work: Corrective action must be taken if issues are found, such as dead legs in pipework, poor temperature control, or biofilm build-up.

This is not a one-time activity. Your assessment and control measures should be reviewed regularly, especially if you make changes to your water system, renovate your premises, or expand operations.

4. The Risks of Legionnaires’ Disease Are Real and Potentially Fatal

Legionnaires’ disease is not a hypothetical threat. It has caused multiple deaths in the UK due to poorly managed water systems. When entrepreneurs ignore or delay Legionella control, the consequences can be severe.

Real-world examples:

In one case, an elderly prisoner died after exposure to Legionella bacteria in a poorly maintained water system. The facility had no written control plan and ignored previous assessments.
In another incident, a care home resident died after being exposed to Legionella-contaminated pipework. The investigation revealed falsified records and inadequate training. The care provider was fined millions of pounds.

These incidents highlight the critical importance of proactive Legionella risk management. Failure to act can lead to criminal charges, reputational damage, and devastating personal consequences for those affected, so try to avoid classic entrepreneurial mistakes like these.

5. The Financial Consequences of Non-Compliance Can Be Severe

the-financial-consequences-of-non-compliance-can-be-severe Failing to meet your legal duties regarding Legionella can have a serious financial impact. UK businesses have been fined anywhere from £350,000 to over £3 million for poor Legionella control, especially in cases involving illness or death.

Additional consequences may include:

Temporary closure of your business or loss of operating licenses
Emergency repair and disinfection costs
Civil lawsuits from affected individuals or their families
Long-term reputational damage that reduces customer and investor confidence
Greater scrutiny from regulatory bodies and insurers

For entrepreneurs, prevention is not just a legal requirement; it is a vital business strategy. It is also a cost-effective business strategy. Investing in proper compliance measures, such as professional risk assessments, water monitoring, and staff training, is far more affordable than the potential costs of non-compliance.

Take Control Before It Becomes a Problem

If you are unsure whether your water system is compliant or if your current assessment is outdated, it is time to take action.

A competent Legionella risk assessor can help entrepreneurs and business owners across the UK with:

Legionella risk assessments compliant with BS8580.
Custom-written schemes of control.
Ongoing temperature monitoring and water testing.
Training for staff and responsible persons.
Remedial advice and system improvement support.

Whether you own a single commercial property or a growing portfolio, you should look for cost-effective solutions that scale with your business.

Author Profile

Manuela Willbold: Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Contributor to many Education, Business & Lifestyle Blogs in the United Kingdom & Germany | Summer Course Student at the London School of Journalism and Course Instructor at the SeekaHost University.