This course has been designed to help raise awareness of Legionnaires’ disease by explaining how outbreaks might occur, and highlighting water systems that have a potentially high risk of developing the Legionella bacterium.

You may have heard about Legionnaires’ disease or the Legionella bacterium, and it’s not something anyone wants to experience first-hand. On average there are approximately 200 to 250 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK, although many believe this total is generally underestimated. Contracting ‘Legionella pneumophilia’ bacteria can cause high fever and may become fatal in approximately 12% of cases.

This course was previously known as Awareness of Legionnaires’ Disease and Legionnaires’ Awareness.

To prevent people from developing this disease, we need to know what it is and how to prevent it coming into contact with us. This legionella training module explains how outbreaks might occur, including how to identify which water systems have a potentially high risk of developing the Legionnella bacterium.

Anyone who works with or around water handling systems would benefit from taking this course. You’ll find out about the potential consequences of an outbreak and the symptoms associated with the disease. You’ll also get information on the relevant legislation and requirements for compliance.

There were 604 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in England and Wales in 2023, although many believe this total is generally underestimated. The disease is caused by the ‘Legionella pneumophilia’ bacteria and is an extremely serious form of Legionellosis, causing high fever and proving fatal in approximately 3% of cases.

In an attempt to help reduce these figures, this legionella training module has been developed by Virtual College working with partners Life Environmental Services. It has been designed to help raise awareness of Legionnaires’ disease by explaining how outbreaks might occur, and highlighting water systems that have a potentially high risk of developing the Legionnella bacterium.

On completion of this legionella training, learners will have an increased understanding of Legionnaires’ disease, including the potential consequences of an outbreak and the symptoms associated with the disease. The legionella training course also provides information on the relevant legislation and requirements for compliance.

On completion of this Legionnaires’ Awareness course learners will be able to:

• Recognise the implications of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
• Summarise how Legionnaires outbreaks can occur in water handling systems
• Identify relevant legislation and the requirements for compliance
• Recognise the role of water handling system owners
• Recognise the role of water handling systems safety providers
• Identify higher risk water handling system

Legionella Awareness Training Online Course Lesson Plan

Areas covered in this online legionella awareness training course include:

• Introduction and Learning Outcomes
• Legionella: Background, Risks and Symptoms
• Preventative Action
• Legal Responsibilities and Compliance
• Case Studies and Best Practice

Accreditation

The content of this legionella training course has been RoSPA assured and independently certified as conforming to universally accepted Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

By completing the course you will earn 1 CPD point.

Certification

On completion of this legionella awareness training course you will be able to download a RoSPA assured and CPD approved Virtual College certificate.

Your certificate will be available to download once you have completed the end of course assessment. There are 20 multiple choice questions, the pass mark is set at 80% but don’t worry you can attempt the test as many times as is needed.

Duration

This legionella awareness training should take approximately 30 – 45 minutes to complete. The length of time taken depends entirely on how quickly you can study and absorb the legionella course material.

You can proceed as quickly or slowly as you like and your progress is automatically saved so you can complete the training at your convenience.

Target Audience

This legionella training online course is aimed primarily at those working with manufactured water handling systems, in an environment where water handling systems are used or in environments that have:

• Plumbing
• Swimming Pools
• Hot Tubs
• Water Tanks/Processing
• Fountains
• Sprinklers
• Showers
• Cooling Towers

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this legionella training online course.