Member Article

Hydrochem offers free safety checks

A WATER treatment specialist is offering free consultations for businesses to help them reduce the risk of breaching safety guidelines.

Hydrochem, the North East’s longest-established water treatment firm, is carrying out no obligation consultations on businesses across the region which will see them inspect all water systems to spot any potential health risks.

Paul Abbott, Water Treatment Sales Manager and legionella consultant at the firm, said: “Very often people don’t realise the risks of not complying with the guidelines when it comes to things like the water storage tanks or showers in the workplace which can lead to bacterial contamination or even legionella, and it is vital that regular checks are carried out to ensure standards are maintained.”

“Under the Health & Safety at Work Act, businesses can be heavily fined or taken through the courts if they are found to be breaching any of the guidelines.

“We are happy to carry out a consultation free of charge to help any businesses who may need some assistance in making sure they are safe. We can then offer advice as to which sort of prevention scheme should be implemented and an even help to set up a scheme.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia which is contracted by inhaling contaminated droplets of water. The contamination can come from hot or cold water supplies as well as air conditioning units and facilities such as hot tubs or whirlpool baths. Anyone can contract Legionnaires’, but the elderly and those with existing health problems are more at risk.

Hydrochem have visited everywhere from office blocks to village halls to carry out checks this year, and Paul says the attitude has to be “better safe than sorry”.

He added: “A visit like this could spot even the earliest signs of any issues, and they can be nipped in the bud with the correct action before they get any worse.

“Sometimes it could be something as simple as regular temperature monitoring or flushing through a pipe or doing some shower head descaling to minimise the risk.”

Hydrochem can also carry out assessments on residential properties which are owned by landlords.

Hydrochem has recently expanded its workforce by taking on a team of new engineers, and specialises in assessing water systems, diagnosing problems and then supplying solutions to assist in the operations of steam boilers, hot and cold water circuits, air conditioning systems and building pipework infrastructure.

Hydrochem also uses the innovative Safe-Water facility, which has been devised to include risk assessment of Legionella and other bacterial issues.

To arrange a free visit to your business, contact Paul at Hydrochem on 01429 860836.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ian Willis .