Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease Awareness Training Course

Duration 2-3 hours

CPD Approved RoSPA Approved IIRSM Approved
Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease Awareness
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

£31 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

This Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease Awareness Training course will help duty holders understand their legal responsibilities in relation to controlling legionella risks in man-made water systems, including evaporative cooling systems, hot and cold water systems, and other risk systems like spa pools. It explains the laws and regulations that apply to legionella, including the guidance contained in ACOP L8, the common risks posed by man-made water systems, how to carry out a risk assessment of legionella, and what control measures they may need to implement.

On completion of the course, you will understand what you need to do to minimise the risks of legionella bacteria in your water systems, so those who may be exposed to legionella risks are protected from harm.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Unlimited assessment attempts

Written in compliance with UK legislation and ACOP L8

Includes a downloadable risk assessment template

Developed by health and safety professionals

Approved by CPD and IIRSM, and assured by RoSPA Qualifications

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will understand:

  • Where legionella bacteria come from, how people develop Legionnaires' disease and how it affects a person's health.
  • How legionella bacteria can multiply in man-made water systems.
  • The legal responsibilities of duty holders regarding the prevention and monitoring of legionella risks.
  • How duty holders should carry out a risk assessment to identify and evaluate how to control legionella hazards.
  • The main control measures that are advised to reduce the risks of legionella.
  • The importance of continually monitoring, maintaining, and updating legionella control measures.

Training you can trust

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: Introduction to Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease

What is legionella and where does it come from, which water systems are at risk of legionella, how do people contract Legionnaires' disease, symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, who is most at risk of legionella and Legionnaires' disease, how is Legionnaires' disease diagnosed and treated, case study, and legionella responsibilities during COVID-19.

Module 2: Legal Responsibilities of Duty Holders

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, responsibilities of duty holders under the HSW Act, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, duties of designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and installers under the HSW Act, employee responsibilities under the HSW Act and MHSWR, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, the Approved Code of Practice L8, the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations, and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

Module 3: Legionella Risks in Man-Made Water Systems

Evaporative cooling systems, hot and cold water systems, other risk systems, spa pools, and assessing the risks.

Module 4: Risk Assessment for Legionella

Who has duties to carry out risk assessments, risk assessment requirements, what is a risk assessment, important phrases and terminology, competent person, step 1: identify the hazards, step 2: determine who might be harmed and how, step 3: evaluate the risks and implement controls, step 4: record your findings, and step 5: monitor, review, and update the assessment.

Module 5: Controlling Legionella Risks

The role of the competent person, maintaining staffing levels and knowledge, design and commissioning of water systems, key precautions, written scheme for controlling legionella risks, operation of water systems, monitoring and inspection, cleaning and disinfecting water systems, record keeping, controlling water systems in domestic properties, and training, instruction, and communication.

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.

This course is suitable for anyone in charge of premises (known as the duty holder) with water systems that could pose legionella risks, no matter how big or small the premises are, and regardless of the number of people present. This includes all employers, self-employed people, and anyone else in control of a premises, such as landlords and letting agents. It will explain what their legal duties are in relation to the water systems in their premises, how to carry out a risk assessment for legionella, and what control measures they may need to implement.

Examples of man-made water systems that duty holders may have in their premises include:

  • Evaporative cooling systems.
  • Dry and wet coolers or condensers.
  • Hot and cold water systems, such as for taps and showers.
  • Spa pools.
  • Misting devices for food production.
  • Emergency showers and face wash fountains.
  • Sprinkler and hose reels.
  • Vehicle washes including automatic washers.
  • Wet scrubbers and gas scrubbers.
  • Fountains and decorative water features.

The Health and Safety Executive's ACOP L8 provides an in-depth guide to how duty holders can comply with their legal duties. This training course is based on ACOP L8 and will cover each of the duties in more detail throughout the modules. It has also been written with consideration of the three HSG 274 documents that provide further guidance for specific man-made water systems, as well as the guidance document for spa pools. It is also suitable for landlords, who have an obligation to be aware of the dangers posed by legionella bacteria and to carry out a risk assessment, so they can keep their tenants safe from harm.

Taking this course will therefore help duty holders understand what to do to follow the guidance set out in ACOP L8 and where to find further advice for their specific water systems.

Frequently asked questions

Can this training course help me apply for SSIP accreditations like CHAS and SMAS?

Yes, our Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease Awareness course can act as evidence of industry-related training for accreditation applications, such as CHAS. It covers the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) regulations and the guidance set out in ACOP L8, which will help you understand how to fulfil the legal duties and guidance they set out. Knowledge of these topics form part of the training requirements set out by accreditation assessment bodies, so you must be able to demonstrate evidence of compliance in order for your application to be successful. Our course will contribute to the evidence you must provide during your application, to show that you have received the relevant training.


Please note that it will be down to each individual accreditation body to decide if our courses are sufficient for the training requirements of your specific business. This evidence only forms one part of your overall application process. It is up to you to prove you are fulfilling your legal duties and to supply sufficient evidence for everything the accrediting body requires in order for your application to be successful.


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