Risk Assessment & Testing - Specific Guidance for Care Homes & Nursing Homes
Regular Legionella testing for care homes is particularly important, as the risks of infection are, unfortunately, higher for people likely to be under care. Risk of mortality is known to increase for people who are over 45 years of age, are heavy smokers, or who have respiratory diseases, kidney or heart disease, diabetes, or an impaired immune system.
The HSE L8 policy state that employers are required to prevent and control substances hazardous to health, which is why legionella testing for care homes and nursing homes is a legal requirement that inspectors will be monitoring.
What are Your Responsibilities?
You have a responsibility to ensure Care Quality Commission (CQC*) compliance (*Care Inspectorate in Scotland, CSSIW in Wales).
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance states that if you are an employer or someone with authority over a premises you must understand the health risks associated with Legionella and control any risks.
You must know how to:
- Identify and audit sources of risk
- Handle any risks
- Prevent or halt any risks
- Maintain appropriate records
- Perform any other duties of care including regular water testing
We have been using Smartwater Testing as an alternative to very expensive Companies that do exactly the same thing and charge a great deal of money for it! We have found Smartwater Testing to be very reliable and efficient. The whole process is completely "idiot proof" and Courier service is excellent. This is a very cost effective and simple way of providing evidence that regulatory requirements are being met.