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Legionella bacteria including Legionella pneumophila are naturally present in the environment and can be found in all water bodies and soils. Cooling towers and warm water systems provide ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to multiply to significant numbers within the systems. The operation of cooling towers and warm water systems generate aerosols, which then will distribute Legionella bacteria present within the systems. People exposed to the Legionella bacteria containing aerosols then inhale the aerosols, which then can lead to an infection known as legionellosis. To reduce the incidence of legionellosis cases, including Legionnaires’ disease the Victorian Government have developed a comprehensive strategy, which includes a strengthened regulatory framework, increased maintenance requirements and new legal responsibilities for landowners and managers of cooling tower and warm water systems. Within the Victorian Governments strategy the following requirements are summarised from the associated Acts and regulations – the Building (Legionella) Act 2000, Building (Legionella Risk Management) Regulations 2001 and Building (Cooling Tower Systems Register) Regulations 2001. The Building Act and related regulations require the owner of the land on which there is a cooling tower system to:
The undertaking of a detailed Risk Assessment is required to determine actual risks associated with the installed system. The risk assessment will identify the risks associated to the five key critical risks:
The Risk Assessment (RA) will provide a list of actions required to address the risks associated with the cooling tower system. It is then a necessary to develop a Risk Management Plan (RMP) that is based upon the developed RA. The RMP is to address the critical risks identified in the RA and is to include details on the actions required and taken to treat the critical risks.
It is a requirement to review the Risk Assessment on an annual basis to ensure that the risks identified in the original RA are being treated and that there is no increase in risks to the cooling tower system due to structural and/or operational modifications. The Risk Management Plan will require amendments to reflect the revised actions arising from the revised RA.
Your developed RMP will require an independent audit to be conducted three months prior to re-registration of your cooling tower system. Therefore if you have a cooling tower you will require an audit to be completed prior to re-registration in 2003. CETEC have two accredited cooling tower RMP auditors. Please contact us if you have any questions in relation to the auditing process, require assistance in the undertaking of a risk assessment or with the development of a Risk Management Plan of your cooling tower system. Cetec Pty Ltd is skilled in conducting Risk Management Assessments and in formulating Risk Management Plans and if necessary, can assist with actual Risk Management. We have over 30 years of professional, independent Risk Assessment and Management experience at your service. Completed projects include:
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Environmental |
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Indoor Air Quality |
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Hazardous Substances |
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Occupational Health |
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Property |
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Legionella |
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Materials,
Products & Processes |
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