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Water Hygiene19 Jul 2026

Legionella responsible person: what training is required

Every care home must have a nominated responsible person for Legionella control. HSE L8 requires that person to be competent, with evidence of appropriate training.

Why this matters

If there is a Legionella incident and the responsible person cannot demonstrate training, the operator faces prosecution. Competence must be evidenced, not assumed.

What to do
  • 1The responsible person should complete a CIEH Level 2 Award in Legionella Awareness as a minimum.
  • 2For those managing the water risk assessment, BOHS W001 is the recognised standard.
  • 3Keep training certificates on file and refresh every 3 to 5 years.
  • 4Ensure your water treatment contractor holds WMSoc accreditation at wmsoc.org.uk.
Primary source
HSE L8: Legionella -- the approved code of practice
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