How Often Should a Legionella Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

How Often Should a Legionella Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

A Legionella risk assessment is an important part of keeping your building safe and managing the risk of Legionnaires' disease. However, once an assessment has been completed, how often should it be reviewed?

The answer depends on your building, its water systems and the level of risk. Understanding when a review is needed can help landlords, business owners and facilities managers maintain effective water hygiene and meet their legal responsibilities.

Is There a Legal Requirement to Review Legionella Risk Assessments?

There is no fixed legal timeframe for reviewing a Legionella risk assessment in the UK. Instead, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe they are no longer valid.

This guidance is set out in the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L8), which explains how dutyholders should manage the risks associated with Legionella bacteria in water systems.

Although a two-year review period is sometimes recommended as a general benchmark, it is not a legal requirement. The frequency should reflect the risks associated with your premises.

When Should a Legionella Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

Changes to your building or water system can affect the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria. A risk assessment review may be needed following:

• Changes to the water system: New pipework, alterations to hot and cold water systems or changes to water storage.
• Changes in building use: Different occupancy levels, periods of closure or changes in how facilities are used.
• New information: Updated guidance or new findings about Legionella risks and control measures.
• Problems with control measures: Monitoring results showing that water temperatures or other safety measures are not being maintained.
• Changes in responsible personnel: New staff or contractors taking responsibility for water hygiene.
• A suspected or confirmed case of Legionnaires' disease: Particularly where there may be a connection to the building's water system.

Even if none of these changes has occurred, assessments should still be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain suitable.

Why Are Regular Legionella Risk Assessment Reviews Important?

Legionella bacteria can grow in water systems under certain conditions. If contaminated water droplets are inhaled, they can cause Legionnaires' disease, a potentially serious form of pneumonia.

A Legionella risk assessment helps identify potential hazards and determine suitable control measures.

Regular reviews help ensure that:

• Existing control measures remain effective
• Changes to the building or water system are considered
• New risks are identified and managed
• Water hygiene procedures remain appropriate
• Dutyholders continue to meet their health and safety responsibilities

An outdated assessment may not reflect the current condition or use of your building.

Does Every Review Require a New Legionella Risk Assessment?

Not necessarily.

A review involves checking whether the existing assessment remains accurate and whether the recommended control measures are still suitable.

If nothing significant has changed and the risks remain properly managed, a complete new assessment may not be necessary.

However, substantial alterations to the water system, changes in building use or concerns about existing controls may require a more detailed reassessment.

A competent person should determine what is needed based on the circumstances and level of risk.

Who Is Responsible for Reviewing a Legionella Risk Assessment?

Employers, landlords and those responsible for managing premises have legal duties to assess and control Legionella risks where applicable.

Under ACOP L8, dutyholders must ensure that Legionella risks are properly assessed and managed. This includes appointing a competent person to oversee the necessary control measures.

For buildings with more complex water systems, professional support can help ensure that risk assessments remain accurate and appropriate.

Legionella Risk Assessments from Summit Environmental

At Summit Environmental, we provide professional Legionella risk assessments to help businesses, landlords and property managers identify potential hazards and manage water hygiene risks.

Whether you need an initial assessment or a review of your existing arrangements, our experienced team can help you understand your responsibilities and identify appropriate control measures.

Contact Summit Environmental today to discuss your Legionella risk assessment requirements.