The Plumbing & Heating Contractors Alliance’s (PHCA) new national Legionella Risk Assessment and Disinfection Scheme is beginning to develop an approved membership base, and welcomed its first eight fully approved members.
PHCA comprises of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF).
PHCA launched its national Legionella Scheme earlier this year as a means for plumbers to demonstrate compliance with the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice for Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).
Since the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revised its Approved Code of Practice for the control of legionella bacteria in November 2013, all hot and cold water systems within any property that has a commercial use or is open to public access, must be assessed for risk of legionella, including residential properties that are let by private or social landlords, care homes, schools, offices, sport facilities and changing rooms along with public buildings.
Robert Burgon, chief executive of SNIPEF, said:
“This change in the rules has significantly increased the number of property owners who must now take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella. The updated Code is significant as it specifies that a risk assessment for legionella should be carried out by a competent person.”
John Thompson, chief executive of APHC, said:
“The scheme is open to APHC members as an extension to their accreditation on one of our membership schemes, and covers competences to undertake legionella risk assessment and remedial work in residential property types.
“The scheme covers inspection and undertaking of remedial work in connection with hot and cold water systems in residential accommodation as defined in the HSE Approved Code of Practice for Legionnaires’ Disease. Membership of the scheme demonstrates to property owners that they are dealing with a professional and competent plumber.”