What Is a Legionella Risk Assessment? A Yorkshire Business Guide

For businesses across Wakefield (WF1–WF17) and the wider Yorkshire region, understanding your responsibilities around Legionella control is essential. Whether you manage an office building, a care home, a manufacturing facility, or a rental property, any premises with stored or recirculating water systems could present a risk of Legionella bacteria growth if not properly maintained.

Yet, despite the serious health and legal implications, many business owners and property managers remain unaware of what a Legionella risk assessment involves, or why it’s such a vital part of health and safety compliance.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Legionella risk assessments, why they’re required by law, and how Absolute Water Compliance helps businesses across Wakefield and Yorkshire stay safe and compliant.

Understanding the Risk: What Is Legionella and Why It Matters

Legionella is a naturally occurring bacterium found in freshwater environments such as lakes and reservoirs. When it finds its way into man-made water systems, such as those in commercial buildings, it can multiply rapidly under the right conditions, particularly when water temperatures are between 20°C and 45°C, and where water is stagnant or contaminated with scale, rust, or organic material.

When contaminated water droplets become airborne and inhaled, they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Outbreaks are rare but can have devastating consequences for both individuals and businesses.

That’s why a Legionella risk assessment is not just a recommendation, t’s a legal requirement for all employers, landlords, and duty holders responsible for premises where water is used or stored.

What Is a Legionella Risk Assessment?

A Legionella risk assessment is a professional evaluation of your building’s water systems, designed to identify any conditions that could support the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria.

During the assessment, a qualified and competent assessor will examine how water enters, is stored, distributed, and used within your premises. The aim is to locate potential hazards, assess their severity, and recommend effective control measures to minimise risk.

A comprehensive Legionella risk assessment includes:

1. Inspection of All Water Systems

The assessor will carry out a thorough inspection of hot and cold water systems, storage tanks, calorifiers, pipework, showers, taps, and other outlets. Any areas where water can stagnate—such as unused pipe runs (“dead legs”)—will be identified.

2. Temperature Profiling and Stagnation Checks

Legionella thrives in warm, stagnant water. To prevent bacterial growth, hot water should be stored above 60°C and delivered at a minimum of 50°C, while cold water should remain below 20°C. The assessment includes temperature checks to ensure your system consistently meets these thresholds.

3. Review of Cleaning, Maintenance, and Monitoring

Existing cleaning regimes, flushing routines, and temperature monitoring schedules are reviewed to confirm they’re adequate and properly documented. If gaps exist, the assessor will provide practical, site-specific recommendations to bring your system into compliance.

4. Evaluation of System Design and Control Measures

The assessor evaluates whether your system design or operation could be contributing to risk. For example, oversized tanks, redundant pipework, or poor circulation can all encourage bacterial growth.

5. A Written Scheme of Control

Following the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed, site-specific Written Scheme of Control, a legally required document that outlines how Legionella risks will be managed, monitored, and reviewed. This includes clear instructions, schedules, and responsibilities for ongoing compliance.

Legal Requirements: Your Responsibilities Under UK Law

Under UK health and safety law, all businesses and landlords have a legal duty to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella.

The main regulations and guidance documents that apply include:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – requires employers to ensure the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by their work activities.

• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 – classifies Legionella as a hazardous substance that must be controlled.

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments.

• HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 & HSG274 – provides the official guidance on controlling Legionella in water systems, outlining how risk assessments and control schemes should be conducted.

Failure to comply can result in HSE enforcement notices, prosecution, heavy fines, or even imprisonment for serious breaches. It can also invalidate insurance policies if negligence is proven.

Why Wakefield and Yorkshire Businesses Must Take This Seriously

Across Wakefield, Leeds, Barnsley, and the wider Yorkshire region, many buildings, particularly older properties, multi-tenant offices, or facilities with complex plumbing systems are at higher risk simply because of their infrastructure.

Sectors such as care homes, hospitality, leisure centres, schools, dental practices, and manufacturing sites face increased exposure due to frequent water usage and vulnerable occupants.

Even if your building seems low risk, HSE guidance is clear: every business must have a current Legionella risk assessment and be able to produce records demonstrating compliance. Regular reviews are required, especially after changes to the water system, building use, or management structure.

The Absolute Water Compliance Approach

At Absolute Water Compliance, we take pride in delivering comprehensive Legionella risk assessments that not only meet but exceed HSE standards.

Our process includes:

• A full inspection of your water systems using calibrated temperature monitoring equipment.

• A detailed schematic drawing of your site’s water system.

• Professional risk analysis and prioritised recommendations.

• Development of your Written Scheme of Control.

• Clear, practical guidance for ongoing compliance and monitoring.

  
  

We serve commercial clients across Wakefield, Leeds, Castleford, Pontefract, and throughout Yorkshire, offering professional support tailored to your business needs.

Our assessors are trained to the latest industry standards and hold full certifications for Legionella control and water hygiene.

The Benefits of a Professional Legionella Risk Assessment

By investing in a professionally conducted Legionella risk assessment, your business benefits from:

• Legal compliance with HSE ACoP L8 and HSG274.

• Reduced health risks for employees, customers, and tenants.

• Evidence of due diligence in the event of inspection or insurance claims.

• Peace of mind, knowing your business is safe, compliant, and responsible.

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Book Your Legionella Risk Assessment in Wakefield Today

Protecting your business starts with understanding your water systems and taking proactive steps to control Legionella risk. Whether you operate a small office, a multi-site organisation, or a public facility, Absolute Water Compliance provides expert, fully accredited assessments to keep you compliant and safe.

📞 Call us today on 01226 491133

Email: support@absolute-water.co.uk

Or visit our website to learn more about our Legionella control services across Wakefield and Yorkshire.