The hospitality industry has a lot to take into consideration when it comes to legionella control. Amenities like swimming pools and hot tubs offer the perfect environment for legionella to grow; hotels are often large buildings with complex pipework; and an outbreak has the potential to affect dozens of guests, wreaking havoc on the business’ reputation.

As such, having the right legionella control measures in place at all times is vital. Here are four essential steps for a hotel to create a clean, safe and compliant environment for its guests.

1. Appoint a competent person

One of the key responsibilities set out in L8, the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice on legionella prevention, is that all organisations at risk of legionella – and for whom it’s practicable to take action against that risk – should appoint a “competent person or persons” to undertake control measures in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations and Health and Safety at Work act.

This demands extra attention in the hospitality industry, where a high level of legionella risk calls for regular monitoring and treatment of water, and seasonality sometimes results in frequent staff changes. It’s important that hotels have access to trained engineers at all times – regardless of whether that’s an in-house resource or comes from a water treatment company or consultancy.

2. Manage risks around unoccupied rooms

It’s a fact of life in the hotel trade that many rooms go unoccupied for long periods of time. Even without seasonal changes in demand or off-season closures, some are simply more difficult to fill than others.

This means their outlets go unused, too, and this can result in stagnant water developing in pipework. In order to control this risk, facilities managers should either flush the outlets weekly or undertake water chlorination to disinfect them after long periods of disuse.

3. Combat legionella in spa pools

Spa pools are high-risk when it comes to legionella – their warm temperatures are ideal for bacteria as much as bathers, and their humidity makes it easy for guests to breathe in contaminated droplets of water.

If your hotel has a hot tub or other spa facilities, be sure to include it in your legionella risk assessment to identify where water is stored and recirculated, and implement a comprehensive cleaning and treatment regimen to minimise the risk to your guests.

4. Keep tanks, pipes and outlets clean

Finally, like any other business with a foreseeable risk of legionella, a hotel should undertake regular inspections and maintenance – as per its legionella risk assessment – to keep its water system safe and hygienic. In addition to tackling dead legs and water chlorination, this will generally include showerhead sterilisation, TMV servicing, hot and cold water tank cleaning, and a host of other important tasks.

Not sure if you know the legionella risks that may be present in your hotel? Our new guide explores the top risks that you and your residents could be facing, and how to address them.