Legionella Duty Holder: Responsibilities and Training Needs

Who’s responsible for managing legionella risks in the UK workplace? Often, it’s the employer—but not always.

It might be the business owner or even a corporate entity. Clear accountability matters. Without it, compliance slips and safety is at risk. Are you confident you know who the Legionella duty holder is in your workplace?

What is a Duty Holder for Legionella?

Legionella is a hidden risk in water systems many businesses overlook. Could stagnant water be putting your system at risk? It thrives in conditions that are surprisingly common. Any water system can become a breeding ground if water:

Is stored or recirculated too long
Sits between 20°C and 45°C
Contains rust, sludge, or organic debris
Turns into fine droplets from showers, cooling towers, or fountains

Are these conditions in your setup? It’s worth thinking about.

Responsibilities of a Legionella Duty Holder

Legionella can cause serious issues for businesses that manage water systems, as stagnant water creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

Here’s what you need to do to manage the risk:

Identify and assess potential risks from legionella in your water systems.
Create a written plan outlining how to prevent and control these risks.
Set up a clear risk management system.
Keep detailed records, including Legionella risk assessments, inspections, control measures, and test results.
Appoint a competent person who understands your water system and the importance of water safety and has the authority to act.

The Duty Holder and the Appointment of a Competent or Responsible Person

The duty holder is responsible for assessing the risks in your workplace or the business that appointed you. According to the Health & Safety Executive’s ACOP L8 guidelines, you can choose to appoint:

yourself
a colleague or team members
an external consultant or contractor

Multiple Duty Holders of Legionella

The HSE’s HSG274 Part 2 explains that buildings can have multiple Duty Holders. For landlords, tenants, and managing agents, it’s important to have clear agreements in place to define responsibilities:

Landlord and single tenant – Either party can take full responsibility or share it.
Multiple tenants – The owner might stay as the Duty Holder or manage shared areas, with tenants responsible for their own spaces.
Managing agent – Roles are set out in the agreement.

If no agreement exists, the person in control of premises is responsible.

Taking on the Role of the Duty Holder when You’re a Landlord

The Health and Safety Executive says private landlords and letting agents have legal responsibilities. These responsibilities include managing water systems to reduce Legionella risks and maintain compliance. While domestic properties are usually low-risk, proper care is still needed. Keeping tenants safe is your job if you own one rental property or many.

Reporting of Legionnaires Disease under RIDDOR

If an employee gets Legionnaires’ disease and is suspected to have come from their workplace, it must be reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

World-class Legionella Control with Comfort Services Group

Comfort Services Group helps keep your property safe. Our team specialises in managing legionella and other waterborne risks. We help you stay compliant, reduce risks, and protect the people who rely on your property.

FAQs

Is it a legal requirement to have legionella training?

Did you know proper training is legally required in the UK to manage and control legionella bacteria risks? The HSE mandates that employers and anyone handling water systems understand how to control legionella bacteria. Why? Because it’s about more than compliance. Training in the control of legionella bacteria protects people, prevents Legionnaires’ disease, and ensures safety standards are met.

What is legionella responsible person training?

Responsible person training equips you with essential skills to assess risks, monitor water systems, and stay compliant with legal requirements. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about prevention. Protect others, prevent outbreaks, and ensure your organisation avoids disruption.

How often is legionella training required?

How often should refresher training happen? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It varies by role. For many, every 2–3 years is enough. But what about hands-on, operational roles and responsibilities? They often need updates more frequently than strategic ones. The key is tailoring training to the job’s demands—no rigid rules, just smart adjustments.

How does the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) view Legionella training and competence?

Are you confident in managing Legionnaires’ disease risks? The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) emphasises the importance of proper training. Their ACOP L8 guidance outlines the need for informed, skilled individuals who can work safely. But training isn’t a one-time fix. Regular refreshers are absolutely vital. They sharpen skills, reinforce knowledge, and help maintain the high standards every workplace needs.

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Andy Green

Founder & Co-Director at Comfort Services Group

Hello, I am Andy Green Founder & Co-Director at Comfort Services Group Limited, an HVAC commissioning & water treatment company which has been established and operating within the UK for over 20 years.Starting as a Commissioning Engineer back in 1989 I have always sort to work within a cohesive & collaborative team environment with an ethos of building long-term relationships. This over the years has become part of our company core value.
We are proud to share our experience and knowledge and take pride in offering this to all clients when required. If I, or one of the team can help then please schedule a meeting via the office or get in touch via one of our social media platforms.