Food and drink processing sites use water in ways that create spray: wash-down hoses, cooling plant, conveyor sprays and vehicle washes. Spray is how legionella reaches people. A legionella risk assessment for a processing site looks well beyond the taps and showers.
Your duty
Employers have a duty to assess and control risks to health under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and legionella is covered by the Biological Agents Regulations 2013. The Health and Safety Authority asks employers to carry out a written legionella risk assessment, record the findings and review it. National guidelines from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre recommend a review at least once a year.
Water systems to assess on a processing site
- Wash-down hoses and hose reels: water stands in them between uses and is released as spray.
- Cooling towers and evaporative condensers: among the highest-risk systems for legionella anywhere.
- Process water and spray systems: product washing, conveyor lubrication and misting.
- Staff showers and changing rooms: often used by one shift only.
- Emergency showers and eye-wash stations: rarely used by design.
- Vehicle and crate washes.
- Storage tanks and softeners: including any treated or recovered water.
What raises the risk
- Warm production areas that heat cold water pipes.
- Lines or areas shut down between seasons or product runs.
- Long pipe runs and dead legs left after layout changes.
- Scale, sediment and biofilm in tanks and hoses.
What the assessment delivers
- A survey of every water system on site.
- Temperatures at representative points.
- A ranked list of risks.
- A written control scheme: flushing, temperature checks, cleaning, disinfection and inspection.
- A recommendation on sampling, with points and frequency.
Sampling on processing sites
Sampling confirms that the controls are working. Samples are taken from agreed points and analysed by an independent accredited laboratory. Our guide explains the difference between legionella sampling and a risk assessment.
Combine it with your fire risk assessment
Both can be carried out in one visit. See fire risk assessments for food processing and manufacturing sites in Cork.
Safer Solutions carries out legionella risk assessments and sampling in Cork for food and drink producers across the city and county. Call 086 275 9728, email info@safersolutions.ie or request a quote.