Why Are Legionella Risk Assessments Important?

Legionnaires’ disease presents a significant health risk in environments where water systems are present. Conducting regular Legionella risk assessments is crucial for maintaining compliance with safety regulations, safeguarding public health, and ensuring business continuity

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. These microorganisms proliferate in water systems, including cooling towers, hot and cold-water services, showers, taps, storage tanks, and any locations where water is held or recirculated. Inadequate control measures can greatly increase the likelihood of exposure.

Individuals responsible for premises, such as duty holders, employers, and landlords, are legally required to assess, manage, and mitigate Legionella risks in accordance with UK health and safety legislation. A thorough assessment supports regulatory compliance and helps ensure the protection of building occupants, personnel, and visitors.

Legionella risk assessments

What Does a Legionella Risk Assessment Involve?

Our qualified water hygiene specialists carry out detailed, BS8580-1:2019-compliant Legionella risk assessments, which include:

  • Review of existing risk assessment (if available)

  • Carry out a preliminary survey of water systems

  • Review of schematic drawings (if available, if not available create schematic drawings)

  • Assess management procedures

  • Carry out condition survey according to legionella control requirements

  • Evaluate legionella risk and provide possible control options

  • Provide a full legionella risk assessment report with actions, remedials and recommendations

Our team works closely with facilities managers, duty holders, and estates teams to ensure risks are identified early and that systems remain compliant, safe, and well-managed.

Your Legal Responsibilities

Legionella control is a legal obligation in the UK. Duty holders must comply with the following:

Meeting these requirements ensures compliance and mitigates the risk of enforcement action, system downtime, or health-related incidents.

Who Needs a Legionella Risk Assessment?

Any premises where water is stored, distributed, or recirculated must have a Legionella risk assessment, including:

  • Healthcare facilities

  • Offices and commercial buildings

  • Manufacturing and industrial sites

  • Hotels, leisure facilities, and gyms

  • Schools, colleges, and universities

  • Residential and social housing

  • Public sector buildings

  • Retail and hospitality environments

If you are a duty holder or responsible person, you must ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment is completed and reviewed regularly.

How Often Should a Legionella Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

A Legionella risk assessment should be reviewed:

  • Every two years as standard

  • If the water system undergoes modifications

  • When building use or occupancy changes

  • Following an outbreak, positive sample or water hygiene issue

  • After commissioning a new system

  • After long periods of stagnation (e.g., closure or reduced occupancy)

Regular reviews ensure ongoing compliance and proactive risk reduction.

How We Deliver BS8580-1:2019 Compliant Assessments

Our assessments follow the structure outlined in BS8580-1:2019, providing complete assurance of industry best practice:

  • Review of Legionella management structure and responsibilities

  • Evaluation of the existing written scheme and records

  • Physical inspection of all water systems and outlets

  • Identification of dead legs, redundant pipework and stagnation points

  • Temperature profiling and asset condition assessment

  • Photographic evidence and risk scoring

  • Action plan with clear prioritisation

This ensures your water systems are safe, compliant, and managed effectively.

Why Choose National Hygiene Services?

  • Specialist, qualified Legionella assessors

  • UK-wide coverage

  • Clear, actionable reporting with prioritised recommendations

  • Support with remedial works and ongoing monitoring

  • Trusted by healthcare, education, industrial and commercial clients

  • Accredited, insured and fully compliant with UK water hygiene standards

Book Your Legionella Risk Assessment

Ensure compliance and protect the people who use your building every day.
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Tel: 01257 262 683
Email: [email protected]

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