Legionella exposure at work: new report and factsheet Aug 29, 2011

[Source / copyright: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, August 2011]

Background

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is normally contracted by inhaling tiny droplets of water (aerosols), contaminated with Legionella.

Legionnaires’ disease is usually thought of as a public health issue rather than an occupational health matter, even though it often strikes workers in places at high risk of outbreak (which include cooling towers, premises where mist machines are present, biological waste water treatment facilities, carwash plants, healthcare facilities, spas and hotels).

Content

The report 'Legionella and legionnaires’ disease: a policy overview' presents the regulatory framework on Legionella and legionnaires’ disease in the European Union, in EU Member States and in non-EU countries, along with other normative documents related to the practical application of this legislation (standards, guidelines, etc.). The report also summarises the policies of international organisations, such as the WHO or ISO, and of standardisation bodies such as the CEN.

At the national level, almost all European countries have adopted public health policies against Legionella, while a few of them mention it as a special issue in their OSH legislation. In most EU countries, occupational risks from Legionella are covered by laws, decrees, etc., based on Directive 2000/54/EC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work.

The factsheet 'Legionella and legionnaires’ disease: European policies and good practices' summarises the occupational aspects of exposure to Legionella. It is based on an overview of European policies related to Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease and case studies on how to control Legionella risks.