Water Safety Policy

6.1 The Council acknowledges and accepts its responsibilities in accordance with the regulatory standards, legislation and approved codes of practice and that failure to discharge these responsibilities properly could lead to a range of sanctions including prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (opens new window), prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (opens new window); prosecution under any of the principal legislation listed in Section 4.1; and via a regulatory notice from the Regulator of Social Housing.

6.2 We will review legionella risk assessments based on the level of risk, as follows, or more frequently where a water system is likely to undergo change and is therefore a higher risk. Schemes will be assessed as high risk (sheltered accommodation) on an annual basis, medium risk (homes within communal blocks) will be assessed every three years, or low risk (homes within communal blocks) will be assessed every five years.

6.3 Written schemes of control will be in place for all properties risk assessed as requiring controls to manage the risk of legionella exposure.

6.4 When properties become void, we will isolate the water and keep the system pressurised.  The water system will then be flushed and recommissioned before the property is let, and the shower head replaced or descaled.

6.5 We will carry out checks to identify pipework 'dead legs' and remove, if reasonably practicable, within void properties and any properties where we are carrying out adaptations or planned investment work.

6.6 When we acquire properties (existing or new build) we will follow the same process as for void properties, and we will ensure that there are no pipework 'dead legs' present when we take possession of the property.

6.7 We will operate a robust process for the management of high risk, or dangerous situations identified from the legionella risk assessment, water testing/monitoring regime or suspected legionella outbreak. In the event of a legionella outbreak we will follow the safety procedures as per the risk assessments and operating procedures.

6.8 We will use the legal remedies available within the terms of the tenancy and lease agreement should any tenant, leaseholder, or shared owner refuse access to carry out essential water safety related inspection and remediation works. Where tenant vulnerability issues are known or identified we will ensure we safeguard the wellbeing of the tenant, whilst ensuring the organisation can gain timely access to any property to be compliant with this policy.

6.9 We will operate effective contract management arrangements with the contractors responsible for delivering the service, including ensuring contracts/service level agreements are in place, conducting client-led performance meetings, and ensuring that contractors' employee and public liability insurances are up to date on an annual basis and that Gateshead Council hold copies of this information.

6.10 We will establish and maintain a risk assessment for water safety management and operations, setting out our key water safety risks and appropriate mitigations.

6.11 To comply with the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (opens new window) a Construction Phase Plan will be in place for all repairs work to void and tenanted properties (at the start of the contract and reviewed annually thereafter), component replacement works and refurbishment projects.

6.12 We will ensure there is a robust process in place to minimise any potential non-compliance by ensuring processes are effective and have appropriate control measures in place to mitigate any risks.  We will analyse any non-compliance that do occur, and take action to prevent recurrence .  For example, we will investigate and manage all RIDDOR notifications made to the HSE in relation to electrical safety and take action to address any issues identified and lessons learned, to prevent a similar incident occurring again.  This includes amending our processes to reflect best practice and ensure that service improvements are implemented.

6.13 The document will be strictly controlled in accordance with ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and maintained by the Service Manager Building Safety, in conjunction with the Quality Manager.