New guidance on Legionnaires' precautions
April 3rd 2007 After concluding that a catalogue of errors was to blame for the Barrow Legionnaires' tragedy, the HSE has published a list of practical recommendations aimed at preventing future outbreaks of the disease.
Seven people died and a further 180 were infected after a faulty air conditioning system released the deadly bacteria into an alleyway outside the Forum 28 Arts Centre in Barrow, Cumbria in August 2002.
Following a long investigation and public meetings into the tragedy, Barrow Borough Council, which runs the arts centre, was cleared of corporate manslaughter, but fined £125,000 for breaching health and safety laws. The council's design service manager, Gillian Beckingham was also cleared of manslaughter but convicted of heath and safety breaches.
According to the report, fatal errors on the part of the council included: failure to act on risks that had been raised prior to the outbreak, failure to carry out a risk assessment and inadequate management of air conditioning contractors.
The main conclusion of the report was that the tragedy could have been avoided.
As a result the HSE has published a list of practical recommendations reiterating the importance of adequate health and safety procedures in the prevention of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease.
To view these recommendations just click here. More articles from HSM News Desk: | 
