Call by SAS Water for legionella post-lockdown assessments to be included in new AA Covid Confident Mark assessment

A new Covid Confident assessment scheme, launched by the AA, is a welcome boost to business.
But, here at SAS Water Ltd, we are disappointed by the lack of any mention of a legionella risk assessment, in the scheme’s criteria and we’d urge the AA to take action to include work to guard against Legionnaires’ Disease.
The AA COVID CONFIDENT accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines, to reopen safely when permitted to do so by the Government.
The scheme has already been backed by 19 industry bodies including: Master Innholders, the Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA), Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association, Professional Association of Self Caterers, Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers and the Tourism Alliance.
The scheme is free to establishments, with applicants encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action, with a reference to “AA COVID-19 Accreditation”.
To be eligible for the AA COVID CONFIDENT scheme, establishments can apply here – www.ratedtrips.com/aa-covid-confident and must meet the AA’s criteria, including:
• Supplying a risk assessment
• Being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place
• Completion of an online self-assessment and sign up to the COVID Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required
Lizzie Ward, Managing Director of SAS Water Ltd, said: “The AA Covid Confident mark is a fantastic idea and it is needed to restore confidence in UK tourism. But we’d urge the AA to specifically state the need for a legionella risk assessment and evidence that regular routines from the HSG274 document are in place.
“SAS Water has recently completed work to ensure the safe reopening of a luxury holiday park in East Anglia. This included checks on around 100 hot tubs as there’s much evidence that hot tubs and spas can be a breeding ground for legionella bacteria.
“The park owner recognised the importance of a water safety audit in their efforts to open with confidence after Covid-19 lockdown. We believe it is essential that this important part of a good health and safety routine is highlighted as part of the Covid Confident scheme.