Member Article

New services to support safe water in the workplace as SAS Water adds further top level expertise

A series of new services are being planned at Staffordshire-based water safety specialists SAS Water Ltd.

Further growth is planned following the appointment of highly experienced water industry expert Jason Aston as Business Development and Technical Operations Manager.

Jason will work closely with Managing Director Lizzie Ward to drive progress at the business.

Based in Leek, SAS Water has a national reach as a legionella, water hygiene and water treatment consultancy, working to ensure safety and service in a range of sectors including social housing, care homes, Colleges, universities, police and fire and rescue services, leisure centres, hotels and spas, and manufacturing.

Jason joins with major experience in additional water safety services, including cooling tower safety, Steam boiler treatment, and closed water (heated & chilled) systems and will lead development for the firm.

“We regard Jason’s appointment as another stride forward for SAS Water,” said Managing Director Lizzie Ward. “He comes with over 25 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in areas of work that dovetail with our expansion plans.

“Jason has run a successful business and has proven technical and sales skills. As a company, SAS Water has a long record of providing companies with legionella risk assessments, training packages to ensure staff are warned and informed, regular monitoring services and commercial plumbing.

“Adding additional services has been part of our development plan and bringing in Jason’s expertise should propel the business forward.”

Jason said; “I have been monitoring SAS Water’s progress and I see Lizzie as an extremely strong leader. She works incredibly hard to progress knowledge about water safety in the workplace and has educated many business leaders which, in turn keeps staff and customers safe.

“SAS Water has an established reputation and a strong customer base and my aim is to work with Lizzie and the team to grow the business, adding to services and creating new job opportunities.”

By law, every company with five or more staff, or with customers coming to their premises, must act to mitigate the potential growth of legionella bacteria. They must also train their staff.

Around 800 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease, a type of pneumonia, are recorded in the UK each year, however, it is known to be heavily under-prescribed by doctors, so the real figures could be much higher.

Legionella bacteria in cooling towers caused the two largest outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease to be recorded in the UK, at a Barrow-in-Furness leisure centre and at Stafford District General Hospital. The 1985 Stafford case led to 22 deaths, with 68 confirmed cases treated in hospital. Experts estimate that at least another 35 people fell ill, but these cases were unconfirmed as Legionnaires’ Disease. 180 people fell ill and seven people died in the 2002 outbreak in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nigel Howle .