Is topping up your screen wash good for your health?
Apparently So!
In a recent study by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), it was found that regular drivers are at a higher risk of Legionnaires Disease.
What is Legionnaires & how can I get it?
Legionnaires Disease is a potentially fatal Pneumonia which more commonly affects people with low immune systems.
Its technical name being “Legionnella Pneumophila” is a bacteria located in water. If the conditions are good for bacteria, it will quite happily grow.
The most common way to pick it up is by breathing in small droplets of water which contains the bacteria.
Who is at risk?
Well, most people can come across the bacteria if a lot of time is spent near waterways and rivers. However, the HPA has found that regular drivers are higher risk of contracting the disease, and particularly those found driving around industrial areas and those who drive without screen wash in their windscreen washer bottle.
What can I do?
You are required under Common Law to provide your employees with a safe working environment and if you are aware of the presence of Legionnella, you are required to carry out the necessary actions to ensure that your employees or the general public are not exposed to it. Where water is stored for Drinking or Washing, it should be routinely checked for the presence of the bacteria to maintain your duty of care. If this water is supplied directly from the mains, there should be no reason to carry out these checks.
A History
In history, most cases have been found in Air Conditioning Units of various commercial establishments all over the world. The most recent being 2002 and 2010 in the UK.
In the 2002 incident, the local council involved, became the 1st public body to be charged with Corporate Manslaughter, but were cleared. However, they along with their architect were fined for breaches of the Health & Safety Regulations.
Am I Covered?
Employers Liability – You are generally covered under this section of your policy unless for some reason there is a specific exclusion.
Public Liability – There is no automatic extension under this section of the policy, unless the situation can be proven to be sudden, identifiable, unintended and unexpected i.e. water tank rupture.
Motor – The driver can claim under the Employers Liability, however, the passenger would claim under the Motor Policy. It is very difficult to get cover for such instances as some policies do exclude the cover.
Professional Indemnity – This cover is available mainly for Architects. However, if you feel that you may be exposed, contact your local broker.
Directors & Officers Insurance – This covers you for legal costs and expenses in relation to a Corporate Manslaughter Prosecution and Health & Safely Prosecutions. It will not pay fines for the breach of.
All policies are different, therefore we would recommend in any event, check your policy for details of coverage for Legionnella, Corporate Manslaughter and Health & Safety Prosecutions.
For further information on the study visit http://www.springerlink.com/content/t92532v54003150g
If you would like to discuss any of the above further, please do contact us on 01473 408408 or email info@wmibl.co.uk
We would like to thank the HPA and Willis for the use of the study material and surrounding information.
