When you think about the main safety-related concerns facing businesses in the 21st century, waterborne disease is unlikely to be the first that comes to mind. It might not be the newest or the most exciting safety-related concern, but sadly, it’s still absolutely as relevant as it was 100 years ago, with waterborne diseases causing approximately 3.4 million deaths globally each year according to WHO data.
Luckily, what has changed is the number of solutions we have available when it comes to risk mitigation. Here, we cover some of the basics that businesses might need to know, from why waterborne diseases are still a relevant concern to the importance of ongoing diligence.
Waterborne diseases are still common
The first thing to note is that waterborne disease is getting more, not less, common in much of the developed world. Infections such as Legionella are on the rise in a range of different countries, and it’s crucial to recognise that these issues are still around.
Just because we don’t regularly come across these kinds of health issues doesn’t mean they’re not lurking just below the surface. It’s only thanks to the diligence of water providers and conscientious property owners that they’re kept at bay, and we all need to play our part.
You need to develop a comprehensive strategy
When trying to mitigate the risks posed by waterborne disease, it’s crucial that you don’t take a slapdash approach and just hope for the best. You need to come up with a clear, comprehensive strategy in which everyone is fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.
In most cases, this will necessitate working together with a water hygiene specialist to develop a Water safety plan. This document will clearly outline your business’s approach to water safety, making it far easier to keep on top of things.
Train your employees
Even after establishing proper documentation and implementing monitoring systems, ongoing staff training remains critical. Organizations must ensure designated personnel receive appropriate training to fulfil their water safety responsibilities effectively.
The Responsible Person (RP) and deputies require comprehensive, accredited training in water safety management, including understanding regulations, risk assessment procedures, and control strategies. Support staff who interact with water systems, such as maintenance and cleaning personnel, need role-specific training covering basic water hygiene principles and early warning signs of potential problems.
Ongoing diligence
Water hygiene is a moving playing field, and as a result, it’s not something that you can simply ‘fix’ and deal with once and for all. It will require ongoing diligence, to ensure that your approach remains relevant and effective at mitigating the risks that you’re actually facing.
For example, if you’ve recently renovated your premises, you’ll need to carry out a fresh risk assessment so that you’re aware of any new threats.
Waterborne diseases continue to pose a serious threat to all businesses that maintain brick-and-mortar premises in the 21st century. Thankfully, by following the basic guiding principles outlined above, you should be able to avoid any serious issues with relatively little effort over the months and years to come.
Conclusion
The financial implications of waterborne disease outbreaks can be severe for businesses, including potential legal fees, remediation costs, compensation claims, reputational damage, and business interruption. Prevention through proper water management is typically far more cost-effective than dealing with an outbreak after it occurs.
By implementing robust water safety protocols, providing adequate training, and maintaining vigilant monitoring, businesses can effectively protect both their employees and their bottom line. The investment in water safety today can prevent significant human and financial costs tomorrow.
