Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by bacteria, called Legionella, that live in water. Legionella can make people sick when they inhale contaminated water from building water systems that are not adequately maintained. Unfortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is on the rise in the United States.
There was an outbreak of legionnaires disease linked to a long-term care home in Toronto in September 2005 affecting residents, staff and visitors. Workers and residents were affected. The Ministry of Labour is releasing this information bulletin to remind employers of their obligations to protect the health and safety of workers provide information about Legionnaire’s disease and re-affirm expectations of employers and workers.
Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams, but generally the low amounts in freshwater do not lead to disease. Legionella can become a health problem in building water systems. To pose a health risk, Legionella first has to grow (increase in numbers). Then it has to be aerosolized so people can breathe in small, contaminated water droplets.
Maqneecon Inc. will help you develop and implement a water management program to reduce your building’s risk for growing and spreading Legionella. If you already have a program, we will help you assess and strengthen it. Included are practical resources to help you ensure that your water management program is comprehensive, effective, and in line with industry standards.
Because building water systems vary in their design and complexity, you should develop a water management program to reduce Legionella growth and spread that is specific to your building.
We help our clients to identify the buildings at increased risk, design control measures, corrective action plan and its application and evaluation of the effectiveness of corrective action plan.
Maqneecon claims the knowledge and experience to provide fast and economical solutions to a variety of environmental and project management challenges.
