Company Fined for Legionnaire's Test Failings

A company has been ordered to pay £41,276 after admitting that they
didn't carry out the correct water treatment surveys in two care homes
in South Wales.

DEBA UK Ltd appeared at Abertillery Magistrates Court on 6th August
after failing to carry out legionella surveys on water systems at
nursing homes in Tredegar and Llangattock.

This led to vulnerable residents at the homes being put at a
considerably higher risk of contracting the potentially fatal
legionnaire's disease.

The court was told that DEBA UK Ltd was commissioned to carry out the
risk assessments for legionnaire's disease at the nursing homes and
found the risk to be low. A following routine check at the nursing
homes revealed there to be insufficient controls for legionella, and
focus moved onto the work carried out by the company.

The company was fined £24,000 plus ordered to pay costs of £17,276
after pleading guilty to three charges under Section 3(1) of the
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the case, Matthew Hamar, HSE inspector, said: "The
nursing home operators commissioned DEBA UK Ltd to carry out the
surveys in good faith and to help them comply with their
responsibilities to manage the risk posed by legionella on their
premises. They were badly let down in this case.

"Elderly nursing home residents are at greater risk from the bacteria
that give rise to conditions such as legionnaires disease, so it is
imperative that safety critical surveys like those carried out by DEBA
UK Ltd are adequate.

"Fortunately, there was no evidence of any outbreak of the disease as
a result of these incidents, but there is a clear responsibility to
those companies carrying out specialist work that they need to carry
out adequate surveys and provide accurate information.

"The health and safety of all those who use our services, as well as
our members of staff, is always our top priority. We take matters such
as this very seriously and have been working very closely with the
Health and Safety Executive throughout this case. We hope that
everyone acts upon the valuable lessons from this case."