The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has set out proposals to revise the ACOP on “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems” (L8).  The HSE would like your views on whether the draft ACOP text provides legal clarification and proportionate advice in low risk scenarios.

The revised ACOP gives practical advice on the legal requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and applies to the risk from exposure to legionella bacteria and includes information of a general nature including explanation of the requirements of law. The accompanying guidance provides advice on achieving compliance, and information of a general nature including explanation of the requirements of the law, specific technical information or references to further sources of information.

The key changes include:

• Some guidance assigned ACOP status to clarify legal requirements where there is an accepted Industry method of compliance.
• Some text changed from ACOP to guidance status where the changes do not impact on practical compliance requirements.
• Simplified terminology.
• Proportionality in low risk scenarios emphasised.

The consultation period runs to 23 August 2013.  The draft version of the revised, fourth edition, ACOP are available on the HSE website.  See the link – “View the consultative document” to download a pdf version.  Your views can be provided using the online questionnaire.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd258.htm