Utilities learning provider Develop Training Limited (DTL) has called for more to be done to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease due to maintenance failures.

With nearly 6,000 cases a year across Europe, including around 350 in England and Wales, Legionella commonly manifests due to poorly-maintained air conditioning and water systems.

DTL has re-released an in-depth report, 'Controlling Legionella: Training and Compliance for Air Conditioning and Water Systems Maintenance', which highlights maintenance training as being essential to controlling the disease and other water-borne hazards.

The report concludes that implementing modern training techniques would help to combat the maintenance failings that can allow Legionella bacteria and similar hazards to develop in air conditioning and water systems. Coupled with new competency qualifications and compliance processes, these modern techniques gives management flexibility over how and where training is delivered, as well as confidence that maintenance is carried out effectively and monitored properly to ensure the health and wellbeing of building users as well as compliance with legislation.

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Steve Braund, Marketing Manager at DTL, said: "Many cases of Legionnaires' Disease go unnoticed as the symptoms are so similar to common pneumonia but that does not make the disease any less deadly. It is important for organisations to remain vigilant of the dangers posed by the disease and to make sure they been trained to put the proper checks in place. Advances in training and compliance make it easier to implement effective systems, and facilities managers and public building owners should take advantage of these."

To download DTL's whitepaper on controlling Legionella, visit here.

(LM/MH)