Water the hidden danger...

Following on from drowning prevention week, which was last week, which aims to highlight the dangers of water, particularly drowning. You may wonder, what does drowning have to do with business and creating a safe workplace?

Each year an average of 402 lives are lost from drowning (Source RLSS). The leading cause is drowning in inland open water like quarries, rivers, reservoirs, canals, and lakes, with 58% of drowning deaths occurring in these places. (Source National Water Safety).

According to the National Water Safety Forum, On average, 400 people drown in the UK each year, and a further 200 people take their own lives on our waters. While the first statistic is worrying, It is this last statistic that raises some alarm bells. One of our focuses at Ligtas is to help to raise awareness of mental health issues. We do this through our articles and training courses like the online mental health awareness course.

But coming back to drowning, I am sure this is something that you will have been aware of from a young age.

A startling fact is that 93 people who drowned in 2018 had no intention of even going into the water.

They were merely walking or running next to water (source Royal Life Saving Society). So, we must always be aware of hidden dangers in and around water.

Get lessons

The message here would be to get swimming or life-saving lessons. And while you may not think this is relevant to you, consider some of the perks you may get with your work. One of these could be a gym with a swimming pool. Or perhaps they do away days with activities around water. So while you may not be pushing a pen, preparing a presentation, or creating the latest strategy, you still need to be aware of things like this.

Being more risk-aware

Many people underestimate the risk associated with water. As a result, they lack the knowledge of what to do, and some love the thrill of risk.

What about other hidden dangers of water?

Most people love having a cool off in a pool on a warm day or sitting in a warm hot tub spa on a cooler day. Relaxing, enjoying a glass of your favourite tipple, or reading a book takes your mind off the day’s troubles. What you might not be aware of is something called Legionella.

Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease (and other diseases), a potentially fatal form of pneumonia (lung infection). Legionella bacteria is spread by breathing in small droplets of water in the air where legionella bacteria is present.

Most people aren’t even aware it poses a serious health risk, did you?

As a business, you have a legal requirement to ensure that your workforce and other people are safe when entering and occupying any of your buildings. Looking after your water is no exception. This includes gyms and spas that you own.

What exactly are the risks?

Bacteria in water systems are common, but with optimum conditions such as water temperature between 20-45 °C, for example, in a hot tub spa pool, that would re-circulate water and spread water droplets, the resulting bacteria can pose a potential risk.

Of course, there may not be a hot tub at work. There are other dangers, especially since many businesses closed their offices during the pandemic. Ligtas ran a webinar about this in July 2021 and that can be viewed on-demand on our website.

What can you do to assess the risk?

Like with the risk of drowning, become more aware of what risks could be around you and what to do if you are affected.

Ligtas have a great half-day course to help you understand what Legionella is and the risks it poses.

It can be done online in the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection. During the course, you’ll learn effective water systems management, hygiene and control measures, amongst other things.

Water risk assessments

To make sure you are managing your building’s water systems correctly, you should have the following:

? A current Legionella Risk Assessment

? A Legionella Written Scheme

? Management Records

? Evidence of Training

Ligtas are a Legionella Control Association (LCA) member with highly qualified and experienced water safety consultants.

Our experienced and competent staff, who are members of the Water Management Society, can assist in achieving full legislative compliance tailored to your needs.

And finally...

Water is involved in all aspects of our lives; life would be impossible without it. So having an awareness will allow you to have the knowledge to recognise the dangers posed.

Contact us on 02922 800 000 or?[email protected]