Understanding the dangers of contracting legionella
Understanding certain facts about legionella is essential when selecting and furthermore maintaining emergency safety showers and eyebath/facewash units. Hughes equipment is designed to minimise the risk of legionella. 

“Employers are legally responsible for the health and safety of their employees and have a duty of care to the wider community,” says Tony. “The penalties for failure can be severe; the consequences can be disastrous and yet the solution is surprisingly simple.”

By understanding certain facts and the features you will be better informed to choose the right equipment.

FACTS – on legionella
• Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia.
• It occurs more frequently in men than women and usually affects middle-aged or elderly people.
• The bacterium which causes legionnaires' disease is Legionella pneumophila.
• It mainly lives in water and thrives between 20ºC and 45ºC
• People catch the disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air that contain the Legionella bacterium.
• Water storage facilities and equipment that uses water are at particular risk.
• Emergency showers and eyebath/facewash equipment should be designed to minimise this risk.
• Good maintenance is essential to avoid legionella.

FEATURES – of Hughes products to combat legionella
• pipes can be flushed effectively
• there are no ‘dead legs’ to trap water
• rust sludge cannot build up
• pipe work is galvanised both internally and externally
• nozzles can be easily removed and cleaned

ADVICE – to pass on to customers to help reduce the risk of legionella
• Keep the temperature of static water outside the 20ºC to 45ºC range
• Fit thermostats to heated water tanks to keep water below 20ºC
• Insulate tanks and pipe work to control the temperature and avoid variations
• Fit temperature gauges for an early indication of potential problems
• Only use a potable water supply
• Flush the system every week to reduce the risk of Legionella contamination and confirm that the system is operating correctly
• Dose standing water with chlorine to kill the Legionella bacteria
• Clean shower nozzles regularly
• Replace eyebath diffusers and clean the eyebath filter every six months

If you have any concerns regarding legionella, our service department can advise you on the best practise. Please call +44 161 430 8070 or email steve@hughes-safety-showers.co.uk

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