Awareness training

“Legionella Lurks. Awareness Works.”

“Safe Systems Start with Awareness.”

Legionella is a hidden danger in everyday water systems—and it only takes the right conditions to become a serious health threat. This course gives duty holders and responsible persons the knowledge to spot the risks, stay compliant, and keep people safe.

You’ll learn how to identify high-risk systems (like cooling towers, water tanks, and spa pools), understand your legal duties under ACOP L8, and apply the basics of a Legionella risk assessment to manage and reduce exposure effectively.

Stay ahead of the risk. Protect your people. Comply with confidence.

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.

How it works….

On the course

At a glance…

6 - 12 delegates

Half day course

No qualifications or PPE required

This training course is delivered on-site at your location or at a training centre location and typically lasts half a day, No formal qualifications are needed to attend, making it accessible to all experience levels. Group sizes are kept small, usually between 6–12 delegates, to ensure focused, hands-on learning. Delegates are not required to bring any PPE for this training course

Module 1: Introduction to Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease

This module introduces learners to legionella bacteria, where it’s commonly found, and how it can lead to Legionnaires’ disease. It covers how people become infected, typical symptoms, who is most at risk, and how the disease is diagnosed and treated. A real-world case study is included to highlight the importance of awareness, along with an overview of duty holder responsibilities in managing legionella risks.

Module 2: Legal Responsibilities of Duty Holders

This module outlines the key legal duties related to legionella control, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act, MHSWR, and COSHH. It also covers ACOP L8 guidance, notification requirements for cooling systems, and reporting duties under RIDDOR—helping duty holders, employers, and employees understand their role in maintaining compliance and preventing risk.

Module 3: Legionella Risks in Man-Made Water Systems

This module explores the water systems most at risk of harbouring legionella, including evaporative cooling systems, hot and cold water systems, spa pools, and other man-made installations. Learners will also be introduced to how these systems are assessed for risk to support effective prevention and control.

Module 4: Risk Assessment for Legionella

This module explains the legal duty to carry out legionella risk assessments and outlines who is responsible. It breaks down the five key steps of the process—identifying hazards, determining who may be harmed, evaluating risks, recording findings, and reviewing the assessment regularly. Learners will also become familiar with essential terminology, the role of a competent person, and the control measures needed to reduce risk effectively.

Module 5: Controlling Legionella Risks

This module focuses on how to effectively manage and control legionella in water systems. It covers the role of the competent person, maintaining appropriate staff knowledge and resources, and the importance of proper system design and commissioning. Learners will explore key precautions, the use of a written control scheme, and best practices for operation, monitoring, cleaning, and disinfection. It also highlights the importance of record keeping, managing risks in domestic properties, and ensuring ongoing training and communication

Assessment

Legionella Awareness Assessment

At the end of the course, learners will complete a theory-based assessment to confirm their understanding of key principles related to legionella awareness and control.

The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions covering:

• The nature of legionella and how it spreads

• Common high-risk water systems

• Symptoms and risks of Legionnaires’ disease

• Legal responsibilities and key regulations (including ACOP L8)

• Risk assessment steps and control measures

• Monitoring, record-keeping, and the role of the responsible person

The assessment is designed to reinforce learning and ensure each participant understands how to identify, assess, and manage legionella risks effectively. Successful learners will receive a Certificate of Legionella Awareness Training, demonstrating their knowledge and commitment to maintaining water system safety and compliance.