On 22 June 2022 a new Royal Decree 487/2022 was published, which establishes new regulations on health requirements for the prevention and control of legionellosis. This Royal Decree came into force on 2 January 2023, so in this blog we will talk a little about its content.

First of all, it is important to bear in mind that legionellosis is an infectious disease caused by Legionella bacteria, which can be contracted by inhaling small drops of water contaminated with the bacteria. For this reason, it is essential to have adequate prevention measures in facilities that may be potential sources of proliferation of the bacteria.

Royal Decree 487/2022 establishes a series of measures to prevent legionellosis in facilities, including the identification of the risks of proliferation of the bacteria, the implementation of a plan for the prevention and control of legionellosis, and the implementation of appropriate cleaning and disinfection measures.

With regard to the identification of the risks of proliferation of the bacteria, regular inspections of the facilities must be carried out in order to detect possible sources of contamination. In addition, proper maintenance of hot and cold water systems as well as air conditioning and refrigeration systems should be ensured, as these are the main places where the bacteria can proliferate.

Once the risks have been identified, a legionellosis prevention and control plan should be drawn up, setting out the specific measures to be taken to prevent the proliferation of the bacteria. This plan must include, among other measures, the carrying out of periodic water controls, the cleaning and disinfection of water systems, the training of workers who handle these systems, and the drawing up of a record of the actions carried out.

Finally, appropriate cleaning and disinfection measures must be carried out, both in the water systems and in the air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. It is important to emphasise that these measures must be carried out by specialised personnel, and the specific indications for each type of system must be followed, as each may require different measures.

It is essential that all companies and organisations with installations susceptible to Legionella bacteria adapt to these new regulations to guarantee the safety and health of all their workers and users.