The L8 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance on Legionella

Unlike other hazardous agents like asbestos and lead, there is no specific legislation that covers legionella. Instead, there is general legislation that must be complied with:

  • The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)
  • The  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH)
In order to help employers comply with the legislation referred to above, in relation to the management of risk from legionella, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have produced an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).

ACOP's contain more practical guidance than legislation and less of the legal jargon. If you follow the guidance, you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Because the ACOP has 'special legal status', if you do not follow the guidance, and then end up in court, you will be required to prove that you complied with the law in some other, equally effective way.

Both of the legionella courses that we deliver cover the requirements of this ACOP.

You can download a copy of the ACOP, free of charge, from the HSE's website. Click here to go straight to the relevant download page, or click the image on the right to download it directly to your hard drive.