Latest Legionnaires Disease News

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14/03/2005: Manslaughter charge for Council after Legionella outbreak

Barrow Council and its employee responsible for overseeing Legionella control have been prosecuted after 1 death and 172 serious illnesses, many of whom are now permanently disabled.

Mrs Beckingham had cancelled a maintenance contract which lead to the outbreak that has now left victims such as Derrick Baker, a keen sportsman, needing 24 hour care from his wife having spent a year in hospital.

Gillian Beckingham denies seven counts of manslaughter and her employers have pleaded not guilty on similar accounts as the trial, expected to continue for at least another ten weeks, continues.

The case should make it clear to local authorities and building owners that Legionnaires disease should be taken seriously and that the courts will prosecute those who are responsible.

To make sure your water systems are being treated as they should to the letter of the law please contact S.A.S today to discuss your requirements.

(Souce PHAM News No. 303)

27/05/2004: Legionella Closes Two Leisure Centres

A positive result in routine Legionella trace samples has temporarily closed two north east leisure centres.

The Woodhouse Close Centre, Bishop Auckland and Spectrum Leisure Centre, Willington which are both owned by Wear Valley District Council were closed to the public while the infected systems were flushed and sanitised in line with the government Health and Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 guidelines.

Health and Safety consultant John Thompson reported that “The council is complying with all of the relevant codes of practice for dealing with water hygiene systems… and continued compliance will ensure that there will be no risk to the public.”

The Woodhouse complex had expected to re-open within a day, however both sites now look set to stay closed for at least ten days as a safety precaution.