Companies urged to remain on guard against Legionnaire's disease

With the summer finally beginning to show, there is an increased use of air conditioning systems in offices across the country. This use has its risks if companies are lax in monitoring their cooling towers or evaporative condensers, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

The HSE has warned companies to be extra vigilant in operating these systems and complying with legal obligations, after the release of a report on the Legionnaire's Disease outbreak in Corby two years ago.

The Corby outbreak, which killed one man and caused 21 other people to become seriously ill, was documented as the largest outbreak since 1989. A team amalgamating members of the HSE, Corby Borough Council, PHLS, NHS and Northamptonshire Health authority investigated possible causes for the outbreak.

The outbreak control team released their findings earlier this month, and could not exclude the possibility of cooling towers and evaporative condensers being potential sources for the disease.

Dr Roger Nourish, head of operations of the outbreak control team's Midlands region said: "The underlying message from this major outbreak and its tragic consequences is that although open wet cooling towers are inherently vulnerable to contamination with Legionella, the risks can be controlled if companies manage, maintain and monitor them effectively.

"Awareness, effective action and continued vigilance are the key to prevention of this disease."

The report on the Corby outbreak is available from Northamptonshire Health Authority - Highfield, Cliftonville Road, Northampton NN1 5DN.

Julie Crisp