New qualifications have been launched to help organisations to prevent the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease and the multiplication of legionella bacteria.

Created by Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) in partnership with B&V Water Treatment, the qualifications target operatives who need to have an understanding of the disease and the measures necessary to counter it.

The HABC Level 2 Award in Legionella Awareness (Cooling and Evaporative Condensers) is split into two pathways covering cooling towers/evaporative condensers and hot and cold water system and has been designed to help workers in environments where legionella growth is a risk and to raise awareness of the factors associated with legionella bacteria.

Both pathways cover the health effects of Legionnaires disease, the control measures that should be in place to prevent legionella multiplying to harmful levels, and how organisations can stay compliant with the updated Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8.

A HABC Level 3 Award in Legionella Control for Responsible Persons qualification has also been launched for those either already in the role of responsible person or aspiring to it.

It covers the effects of legionella bacteria on the body including the impact an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease would have on a working site, how to identify and control the risk associated with legionella bacteria and how legislation and codes of practice can support its control.

It has been designed to enforce the importance of the responsible person with respect to ensuring competence of all operatives on site, in accordance with HSE ACOP L8.  Both qualifications are recognised by the government’s Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).

HABC chief executive, Jason Sprenger, said: “Legionella is still a real concern to many organisations and public agencies, so it is vital that staff have the skills and expertise to deal with it. These qualifications will provide workers with the knowledge and expertise needed to prevent the outbreak and spread of Legionnaires disease, and provide reassurance to staff and customers alike.”

The qualifications cost £13 to £16 per learner depending on the number registered, and only take one day to complete. 

For more information visit https://www.highfieldabc.com/Legionella/Default.aspx