Updated regulations for the Prevention and Control of Legionellosis
On June 22, the Royal Decree 487/2022, of June 21, which establishes the health requirements for the prevention and control of legionellosis, was published in the BOE.
This Royal Decree, which replaces the previous one from 2003, contemplates technical advances and improvements, new risk management measures and innovations necessary for greater control of facilities or equipment that may become sources of human exposure to the bacteria.
Thanks to this standard, the regime of responsibilities of the owners of the facilities is regulated, both of the people who own cooling towers and evaporative condensers, as well as of the external service companies and the service companies that carry out legionella prevention and control operations in the facilities under their charge.
On the other hand, the different requirements for the facilities and water quality, the control plans against legionella and the actions of the health authority are established. Thus, the mandatory completion, by the holders, of a Legionella Prevention and Control Plan (PPCL) is determined, which will include, among others, an initial diagnosis and detailed description of the facility, as well as the maintenance and review programs for facilities and equipment, as well as documentation and records that reflect the activities and controls established in the programs.
The health authority will decide the actions to be carried out by the person in charge of the facility, which may be, among others, shock cleaning and disinfection with resampling after 15-30 days, the possible total or partial paralysis of the facility or the carrying out of structural reforms.
