NSW Health is reminding building owners and occupiers to ensure air-conditioning cooling towers are properly maintained.
The reminder follows recent diagnosis of several cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in South Eastern and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts.
Acting Director of Environmental Health at Health Protection NSW, Adi Vyas said that while local councils were on the frontline of compliance, the onus was on businesses to remain vigilant.
“We do not want to see an increase in Legionnaires’ Disease notifications following the restarting or intermittent use of cooling towers as people return to their workplaces,” Dr Vyas said.
“Businesses reopening office space should ensure their cooling tower servicing regimen is up to date and disinfection procedures are operating correctly,” he said.
“Where there is any possibility that a system is not operating correctly, it should be cleaned and an online disinfection procedure undertaken as soon as possible.”
Dr Vyas said Legionnaires’ Disease was a severe and sometimes life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
“NSW Health has produced extensive guidance on managing risk factors associated with the seasonal operation of cooling water systems and managing shut down periods,” he said.
NSW Health’s Guidelines on Legionella control can be accessed at this PS News link.
