In this article, Alan Hambidge, a Chartered Biologist, Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner, independent Authorising Engineer, and trainer at Eastwood Park, highlights the need for sound training of those involved in the design and installation of healthcare water services, and the consequences of inadequate training – including water systems where harmful waterborne bacteria can proliferate and put users of the facility at risk.
The safe development, construction, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of hot and cold water supply systems and associated equipment are critical for maintaining good water quality and public health. It has been long known that major refurbishments or other works on water systems can – if poorly managed and designed – result in a significant decrease in water quality, and create situations where pathogenic microorganisms can proliferate. This can occur when conditions are created that reduce water flow, or create stagnation or gross over-capacity, and result in deposition of materials and warm water conditions.
In addition, HTM 04-01 (2016) Part B states that interruptions to water supply can increase the risk of microbial ingress, especially if they result in depressurisation of the supply pipework. The design of systems should ensure that sufficient reserve water storage is available to minimise the consequences of disruption, while simultaneously ensuring that there is an adequate turnover of water to prevent stagnation in storage vessels and distribution systems. It is important to get this balance correct, and to avoid gross over-capacity in the system.
A lack of training
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