299601 legionella
TRANSCRIPT
B 159
A.L. 5 ta’ l-2006
ATT TA’ L-2003 DWAR IS-SA{{A PUBBLIKA(ATT NRU. XIII TA’ l-2003)
Regolamenti ta’ l-2006 dwar il-Kontroll tal-Le;jonella
BIS-SA{{A tas-seg[tat mog[tija bl-artiklu 26 (i) ta’ l-Att ta’ l-2003 dwar is-Sa[[a Pubblika, il-Ministru tas-Sa[[a, l-Anzjani u l-Kurafil-Komunità g[amel dawn ir-regolamenti li ;ejjin>–
1. It-titolu ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti hu Regolamenti ta’ l-2006dwar il-Kontroll tal-Le;jonella.
2. F’dawn ir-regolamenti, kemm-il darba r-rabta tal-kliem mate[tie;x xort’o[ra>–
“l-Att” tfisser Att dwar is-Sa[[a Pubblika<
“bioçida” tfisser a;ent fi]iku jew kimiku kapaçi li joqtolmikro-organi]mi, inklu]a l-Le;jonella<
“cooling tower’ tfisser apparat li l-u]u prinçipali tieg[u hu lijkessa[ l-ilma b’kuntatt dirett bejn dak l-ilma u kurrent ta’ arja<
“fond” tinkludi kull fond mhux domestiku u]at g[al jewf’konnessjoni mal-;estjoni ta’ negozju jew kummerç (kemm biqlieg[ kemm mhux) u g[andu jinkludi kull façilità g[all-kura tas-sa[[a u skola<
“funtana ta’ l-ilma” tfisser kull g[amla ta’ ilma li tkun tinsabf’]ona msemmija<
“heterotrophic colony count” tfisser kalkolu ta’ l-g[add ta’unitajiet vijabbli ta’ batterji g[al kull millilitru ta’ ilma mag[mulbl-u]u tal-metodu tal-pour plate, spread plate jew membrane filtertest (mag[rufin ukoll b[ala total bacterial count, total plate countjew viable bacterial count test)<
“ilma” tfisser ilma provdut mis-sistema prinçipali ta’distribuzjoni ta’ l-ilma jew ilma provdut minn provditur ta’ l-ilma
Titolu.
Tifsir.
Suppliment tal-Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta, Nru. 17,863, 10 ta’ Jannar, 2006Taqsima B
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B 160
privat awtorizzat jew permezz ta’ provista ta’ l-ilma approvata mis-Suprintendent jew mill-awtoritajiet kompetenti rilevanti<
“is-Suprintendent” tfisser is-Suprintendent tas-Sa[[aPubblika<
“kondensatur evaporattiv” tfisser apparat li l-g[an prinçipalitieg[u hu li jkessa[ likwidu billi jg[addi dak il-likwidu minn ;osistema li tbiddel is-s[ana li hi nnifisha ti;i mkess[a b’kuntatt litag[mel ma’ ilma li jkun g[addej minn kurrent ta’ arja<
“kurrent” tfisser raxx ta’ ilma li jo[ro; mis-sistema tal-[ru;ta’ l-arja tas-sistema tal-cooling tower<
“laboratorju akkreditat” tfisser laboratorju li jie[u sehem fiskema esterna ta’ valutazzjoni kwalitattiva biex ti;i i]olata il-le;jonella mill-ilma u l-interpretazzjoni tar-ri]ultati ssir minnmikrobiologu li jkollu esperjenza<
“le;jonella” tfisser batterju tat-tip Legionella<
“linji gwida” tfisser il-European Guidelines for Control andPrevention of Travel Associated Legionnaire’s Disease mag[mulamill-European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI)u approvati mill-Committee for the Epidemiological Surveillanceand Control of Communicable Diseases fil-Komunita, mwaqqafbid-Deçi]joni 2119#98#KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill<
“persuna responsabbli” tinkludi lill-persuna li tkunproprjetarja, tmexxi jew tikkontrolla s-sistemi tal-cooling tower,jew il-kondensaturi evaporattivi, jew sistemi ta’ ilma s[un u kiesa[,jew funtani ta’ l-ilma jew g[add minn dawn is-sistemi fl-istessfond<
“sentinel taps” tfisser, f’sistema ta’ ilma s[un, l-ewwel u l-a[[ar vitien fuq sistema ta’ çirkolazzjoni mill-;did. G[al sistemita’ l-ilma kiesa[ (jew sistemi ta’ ilma s[un li ma jiççirkolawx mill-;did), il-vitien l-aktar viçini jew il bog[od mit-tank tal-[a]na. L-g[a]la ta’ sentinel taps tista tinkludi wkoll vitien li huma kunsidratili jirrappre]entaw riskju partikolari<
“sistema li tbiddel is-s[ana” tfisser apparat biex jittrasferixxis-s[ana minn bejn likwidi li ma jkunux f’kuntatt dirett ma’ xulxin<
B 161
“sistema ta’ ilma kiesa[” tfisser l-istallazjoni ta’ impjant,kanen u aççessorji fejn l-ilma kiesa[ ikun ma[]un, mqassam usussegwentament mbattal<
“sistema ta’ ilma s[un” tfisser provvista ta’ ilma fil-kanen,inklu] kull thermostatic mixing valve, li jkun disinjat biexjissupplixxi ilma b’temperatura ta’ bejn it-30oC u s-60oC<
“sistemi ta’ cooling tower” jinkludu>-
(a) cooling tower, jew g[add ta’ cooling towersmqabbdin flimkien li ju]aw l-istess çirkolazzjoni mill-;didta’ l-ilma< u
(b) kull makkinarju li jintu]a biex jopera l-coolingtowers< u
(ç) kull tank, kanna, valvola, pompa jew sistema ta’kontrolli assoçjati<
“spa pool” tinkludi banju jew pool ]g[ira fejn l-ilma s[unji;i çirkolat mill-;did u kontinwament, minn ;o ;ettijiet b’veloçitaqawwija [afna jew bl-injezzjoni ta’ arja biex tqanqal l-ilma<
“tiddisinfetta” tfisser li tag[mel proçess ma[sub biex joqtoljew ine[[i mikro-organi]mi pato;eniçi<
“tnaddaf” tfisser biex te[les milli jidher çaflis, rag[wa, [ama(inklu]i l-alga u l-fungi), sadid, tartru, [mie;, u kull depo]itu jewakkumulu ta’ impuritajiet jew materjal barrani ie[or<
“uffiçjal awtorizzat” tfisser kull persuna kwalifikata kif imissli tkun awtorizzata mis-Suprintendent biex taqdi funzjonijiet ta[tdawn ir-regolamenti u tinkludi kull uffiçjal nominat<
“]ona msemmija” tfisser kull proprjetà jew parti minnproprjetà li l-membri tal-pubbliku jew x’u[ud minnhom ikollhomaççess g[alihom, kemm jekk bi [las kemm jekk mhux.
3. (1) L-installazzjoni ta’ sistema tal-cooling tower u ta’kondensatur evaporattiv f’bini ;did g[all-kura tas-sa[[a jew skejjel huprojbijt.
Installazjoni ta’sistemi ta’ coolingtower ukondensaturevaporattiv ;odda.
B 162
(2) L-installazjoni ta’ sistema ;dida ta’ cooling tower jewta’ kondensatur evaporattiv f’postijiet o[ra g[andu ji;i ristrett g[al dawkil-ka]ijiet biss fejn ebda sistema o[ra ta’ tkessi[ niexef m’hiex possibblib[ala alternattiva.
4. (1) Fi stadju ta’ installazjoni ta’ sistema ta’ cooling towerjew kondensatur evaporattiv, g[andha ssir spezzjoni minn persunikompetenti sabiex il-cooling tower u l-kondensatur evaporattiv ikunuta’ riskju minimu g[as-sa[[a ta’ l-okkupanti ta’ dak il-fond u tal-membrital-pubbliku.
(2) Is-sistemi ta’ tkessie[ g[andhom ji;u disinjati u mibnijinhekk li jnaqqsu mir-rilaxx tal-kurrent u jg[inu biex l-apparat ikun sigur,jitnaddaf b’mod regolari u ji;i disinfettat.
5. Il-cooling tower jew l-kondensatur evaporattiv g[andhomikunu jinsabu f’po]izzjoni ta’ l-inqas [ames metri bog[od mill-aperturimnejn tid[ol l-arja u tiççirkola, twieqi miftu[in u ]oni okkupati, bankinimnejn jg[addi l-pubbliku, ]oni tat-traffiku, ]oni fejn jista’ jid[ol il-pubbliku, mnejn to[ro; l-arja mill-kçejjen, sistemi li j[addmu l-arjajew ]oni o[ra fejn in-nutrijenti li ji;u min dawn is-sistemi jistg[u jag[tulok g[at-tkabbir tal-le;jonella.
6. Il-provista ta’ l-ilma kostitwit g[andha ti;i provduta jew mis-sistema prinçipali ta’ distribuzzjoni ta’ l-ilma jew minn distributur ta’l-ilma awtorizzat jew minn provista ta’ l-ilma approvata mis-Suprintendent.
7. (1) L-ilma ma[mu; mill-cooling towers u minn kondensaturievaporattivi g[andu jiskula g[al ;o d-drena;; pubbliku skond ma huwaapprovat mill-awtoritajiet kompetenti rispettivi.
(2) Il-konçentrazjoni ta’ kimika fl-ilma ma[mu; g[andhatkun fil-limiti stabbiliti mill-awtoritiajiet kompetenti rispettivi.
8. (1) Cooling towers u kondensaturi evaporattivi g[andhomji;u awtorizzati, approvati u çertifikati minn in;inier kompetenti li jkolluwarrant skond l-Att dwar il-professjoni ta’ l-In;iniera, qabel ma dawnjintu]aw, sabiex ji;i ]gurat li dawn joperaw sew u b’mod sigur.
(2) Is-sistema kollha ta’ l-arja kondizzjonata ma g[andu jkunfiha ebda skart u [mie; ;ej mill-kostruzzjoni, u g[andha ti;i mnaddfaqabel ma tibda ta[dem.
Disinn ukostruzzjoni ta’sistema ta’ coolingtower u kondensaturevaporattiv.
Il-po]izzjoni ta’cooling towers ukondensaturievaporattivi.
Il-provista ta’ l-ilma.
Kif jiskula l-ilma.
Approvazzjoni uoperazzjoni.
Kap. 321.
B 163
(3) G[andhom jittie[du prekawzjonijiet biex ji;u kontrollatir-riskji matul l-awtorizzazzjoni, startjar u t[addim normali tas-sistemaskond il-linji gwida.
9. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha d-dmir li ti]gura li>
(a) kull sistema ta’ cooling tower jew kondensaturevaporattiv li jintu]aw issirilhom manutenzjoni u ji;u ttestjati skondil-linji gwida<
(b) l-ilma tas-sistema tal-cooling tower jew tal-kondensaturevaporattiv ikun mi]mum f’kundizzjoni nadifa<
(ç) l-ilma tas-sistema tal-cooling tower jew tal-kondensaturevaporattiv ikun trattat kontinwament<
(i) b’xi wie[ed jew aktar mill-bioidi biex jikkontrollab’mod effettiv it-tkabbir ta’ mikro-organi]mi, inklu]a l-le;jonella< u
(ii) b’kimiçi jew a;enti o[ra biex titnaqqas il-formazzjoni tal-;ebla, korru]joni u t[ammi;<
(d) bio-dispersiv kompattibli mal-kloru ji;i mi]jud ma’ l-ilma li jiççirkola mill-;did tas-sistema tal-cooling tower jew tal-kondensatur evaporattiv, u li s-sistema ti;i mbag[ad disinfettata,mnaddfa u ter;a ti;i disinfettata mil-;did<
(i) immedjatament qabel ma ti;i startjata wara l-awtorizzazzjoni, jew f’kull perjodu li tieqaf ta[dem li jdumaktar minn xahar< u
(ii) f’intervalli ta’ mhux aktar minn sitt xhur.
(e) is-sistema tal-cooling tower jew il-kondensaturevaporattiv ti;i spezzjonata skond il-linji gwida u Skeda 1<
(f) ta’ l-inqas darba fix-xahar, jittie[ed kampjun ta’ l-ilmali jiççirkola mill-;did tas-sistema tal-cooling tower u l-kondensaturevaporattiv f’laboratorju akkreditat biex ji;i ttestjat l-g[add tal-kolonji eterotrofiçi u ta’ l-inqas darba kull sitt xhur g[al le;jonella<
(;) g[andu jittie[ed kampun ta’ l-ilma qabel ma tit[allatid-do]a tal-bioçida skond il-linji gwida.
Manutenzzjoni utestjar ta’ coolingtowers u
Il-kwalità u u kifji;i trattat.
Kondensaturievaporattivi.
Disinfettar, tindif udisinfettar mil-;did.
Spezzjonijiet uttestjar ta’ rutina.
Frekwenza ta’kampjunimikrobiologiçi.
Te[id ta’ kampjunita’ l-ilma.
B 164
10. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha ti]gura li l-azzjonijietwara l-monitora;; mikrobiolo;iku tal-cooling towers u l-kondensaturievaporattivi jkunu skond il-proçeduri indikati fi Skeda 2 li tinsab ma’dawn ir-regolamenti.
(2) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha tinformaimmedjatament lis-Suprintendent b’kull sitwazzjoni li hemm provdutdwarha fi Skeda 2 li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
(3) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha tag[mel kullmonitora;; u tie[u kull azzjoni korrettiva kif jista’ ji;i ordnat mis-Suprintendent.
(4) Is-Suprintendent jista’ jitlob kull sistema jew partiminnha jing[alqu sakemm l-azzjonijiet kollha me[tie;a b[ala rimedjujkunu saru mill-persuna responsabbli u sakemm ir-ri]ultati tal-kampjunimikrobolo;içi ta’ sistema jkunu re;g[u lura g[al-livelli aççettati urakkomandati skond ma hemm indikat fi Skeda 2 li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
11. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha ti]gura li>
(a) kemm-il darba s-sistema ma ting[alaqx jew ma titbattalxmill-ilma jew xort’o[ra ma tintu]ax, kull sistema ta’ l-ilma s[un ukiesa[ li dik il-persuna responsabbli jkollha, tkun timmani;;a jewtikkontrolla, g[andha tin]amm u ti;i ttestjata bil-mod stabbilitb’dawn ir-regolamenti u skond il-linji gwida<
(b) is-sistema ta’ l-ilma s[un u kiesa[ ti;i disinfettata jewbis-s[ana jew bil-klorinazzjoni u mnaddfa immedjatament qabelma tkun se ti;i startjata g[all-ewwel darba wara li tkun ;ietawtorizzata, jew mag[luqa g[al perjodu ta’ aktar minn xahar<
(ç) is-sistema ta’ l-ilma s[un u kiesa[ tkun disinfettata b’xiwie[ed jew aktar minn dawn il-metodi li ;ejjin>
(i) mill-inqas darba fix-xahar bis-s[ana jewklorinazzjoni< jew
(ii) kontinwament b’livell ta’ klorinazzjoni baxx uawtomatiku< jew
(iii) kontinwament bi trattament ta’ dawl ultra-vjolett<jew
(iv) metodu approvat fil-linji gwida.
Livelli ta’ azzjoniwara monitora;;mikrobiolo;iku ta’sistemi ta’ coolingtower ukondensaturievaporativi.
Manutenzjoni uttestjar ta’ sistemita’ l-ilma s[un ukiesa[.
Proçeduri ta’startjar.
Disinfettar ta’rutina.
B 165
(d) is-sistema ta’ ilma s[un u kiesa[ g[andha ti;ispezzjonata u ssirilha manutenzjoni skond id-direttivi ma[ru;inmag[hom u skond id-direttivi msemmija f’Skeda 1 u 3<
(e) meta bioçidi jkunu qeg[din jintu]aw fit-trattament ta’sistemi ta’ l-ilma, dawn g[andhom ji;u kontrollati bir-reqqa uverifikati mill-inqas darba fil-;img[a jew skond ma ji;i indikat sabiex ji;i ]gurat li jkunu qeg[din joperaw korrettament<
(f) ta’ l-inqas darba kull sitt xhur g[andu jittie[ed kampjunta’ ilma mis-sistema ta’ l-ilma s[un u kiesa[ u dan jintbag[atf’laboratorju akkreditat g[al ittestjar u rapportar tal-le;jonella.
12. (1) Il-persuna reponsabbli g[andha ti]gura li l-azzjonijietwara l-monitora;; mikrobiolo;iku tas-sistemi ta’ l-ilma s[un u kiesa[ikunu skond il-proçeduri li hemm fi Skeda 4 li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
(2) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha minnufih tinforma lis-Suprintendent bis-sitwazzjoni li hemm provdut dwarha fi Skeda 4 litinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
(3) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha tag[mel kullmonitora;; ie[or u tie[u kull azzjoni rimedjali o[ra kif tista’ tkun ordnatamis-Suprintendent.
(4) Is-Suprintendent jista’ je[tie; li s-sistemi jew parti mis-sistemi jing[alqu sakemm ikunu ttie’du l-azzjonijiet rimedjali kollhamill-peruna responsabbli u sakemm ir-ri]ultati tal-kampjunimikrobiolo;içi jkunu ;ew lura g[al-livelli aççettabli kif inhumarakkomandati fi Skeda 4 li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
13. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha d-dmir ti]gura li>
(a) kull funtana ta’ l-ilma li taqa’ ta[t ir-responsabbiltàtag[ha tin]amm u ti;i ttestjata skond il-linji gwida u Skeda 1<
(b) jittie[du kampjuni ta’ l-ilma mill-funtana>
(i) ta’ l-inqas darba fix-xahar bil-g[an li ji;i stabbilitl-g[add tal-kolonji eterotrofiçi< u
(ii) ta’ l-inqas darba kull sitt xhur bil-g[an li jinkixful-batterji tal-le;jonella.
Testjar uspezzjonijiet ta’rutina.
Trattamenti bioçidi.
Il-frekwenza ta’kampjunimikrobiolo;içi.
Livelli ta’ azzjoniwara monitora;;mikrobiolo;iku.
Manutenzjoni uttestjar ta’ funtanita’ l-ilma.
Te[id ta’ kampjunimikrobiolo;içi.
B 166
(2) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha minnufih tinforma lis-Suprintendent bis-sitwazjoni li hemm provdut dwarha fi Skeda 2 li tinsabma’ dawn ir-regolamenti.
(3) Is-Suprintendent jista’ je[tie; lill-persuna responsabblili tag[mel testijiet u manutenzjoni ta’ funtani ta’ l-ilma skond maSuprintendent jista’ jqis li jkun me[tie;.
14. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha d-dmir li ti]gura li kullspa pool u kull tip ie[or ta’ sistema ta’ l-ilma li taqa’ ta[t ir-responsabbiltà tieg[u, g[anda tin]amm u ti;i ttestjata skond il-linji gwidau fi Skeda 1.
(2) Spa pools li jkunu g[all-wiri fi [wienet ta’ bejg[ bl-imnut jew f’xi esibizzjoni g[andhom ji;u trattati b[al li kieku dawnkienu qeg[din fil-fatt jintu]aw.
15. (1) Il-persuna responsabbli g[andha>
(a) tag[mel evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju biex ji;i identifikat uevalwat ir-riskju ta’ esposizzjoni g[all-batterji tal-le;jonella minnattivitajiet ta’ xog[ol u sistemi ta’ l-ilma fil-fond li jkollha ta[t ir-responsabbilta tag[ha skond kif dawn huma identifikati fil-linjigwida< u
(b) tidentifika kull mi]ura neçessarja ta’ prekawzjoni lig[andha tittie[ed< u
(ç) tirrevedi l-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju jew ta’ kull sena jewkull meta s-sitwazzjoni tinbidel jew meta g[al xi ra;uni jew o[ral-evalwazzjoni ori;inali tista’ ma tkunx aktar valida< u
(d) i]]omm dokumentazzjoni kompleta ta’ l-evalwazzjonita’ riskju.
(2) Meta l-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju turi li x’aktarx se jkunhemm riskju li ma jkunx jista’ ji;i eliminat, il-persuna responsabblig[andha tadotta pjan skema li jispeçifika l-mi]uri li g[andhom jittie[dubiex ji;i mnaqqas ir-riskju ta’ espo]izzjoni.
(3) Hi persuna kompetenti indipendenti li g[andha ta’ l-inqas darba kull sentejn tag[mel l-awditjar ta’ l-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskjuu tat-t[addim tal-mi]uri ta’ kontroll.
Manutenzjoni uttestjar ta’ sistemio[ra ta’ riskju.
Evalwazzjoni ta’riskju.
Mi]uri ta’ kontroll.
Avvi] biex issirspezzjoni, testijietjew manutenzjonita’ funtani ta’ l-ilma.
Awditjar estern.
B 167
(4) Kull record dwar il-manutenzjoni u l-evalwazzjoni ta’riskju g[andu jin]amm g[al perjodu ta’ mhux inqas minn [ames snin.
16. (1) Jekk tfaqqa’ marda tal-le;jonella jew ikun hemmsuspett li din tkun faqqg[et, il-persuna responsabbli g[andha tg[arrafb’dan lis-Suprintendent minnufih.
(2) Fl-eventwalità jew fuq suspett li tkun faqqg[et il-mardatal-le;jonella, il-persuna responsabbli g[andha timplementa kullstruzzjoni li s-Suprintendent jista’ jirrikmanda.
17. (1) Ikun id-dmir tas-Suprintendent li jinvestiga kull ka] jewsuspett tal-marda tal-le;jonella f’kull fond u li jara li jittiehdu kampjuniu ssir analizi ta’ kampjuni me[tie;a biex ji;i investigat dak il-kaz jewsuspett ta’ ka].
(2) L-ispejje] kollha li jsiru g[all-elevazzjoni, trasport,preparazzjoni u anali]i ta’ kampjuni f’ka] ta’ l-ewwel investigazzjonita’ ka] jew suspett ta’ ka] tal-marda tal-le;jonella g[andhom ji;;arbumis-Suprintendent.
(3) Jekk ir-ri]ultati ta’ l-ewwel kampjuni jindikaw il-pre]enza ta’ l-ispeçi tal-le;jonella, jew l-investigazzjoni isse[[ fi ]mienerba’ u g[oxrin xahar minn l-ewwel ka] jew ka] suspett av]at, l-ispejje]ta’ kampjuni ta’ prosegwiment jew ta’ l-ewwel kampjuni, skond il-ka],g[andhom ji;;arbu mill-persuna responsabbli>
I]da l-persuna responsabbli mill-fond g[andha tiffirma apriori d-dikjarazzjoni hawn annessa b[ala Skeda 5 ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti fejn ji;i konfermat li tkun qieg[da taççetta li t[allas l-ispejje] kollha dovuti lis-Suprintendent.
(4) Kull min jonqos milli jikkonforma ru[u mad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subregolament (3) ta’ dan ir-regolament ikun [atita’ reat u l-qorti, minbarra li tinfli;;i l-piena, g[andha tobbliga lit-talij[allas l-ispejje] dovuti.
18. (1) Fil-ka] li l-persuna responsabbli tonqos milli ssegwi l-istruzzjonijiet imsemmija fir-regolamenti preçedenti, jew jekk is-Suprintendent jara li r-riskju ta’ infezzjoni bil-le;jonella f’dak il-fondpartikolari jkun sinifikanti, huwa jista jordna li dak il-fond, parti mill-fond jew xi sistema relatata ma’ l-ilma, g[andhom jing[alquimmedjatament sakemm ji;i kontrollat ir-riskju ta’ xi infezzjoni.
Pjan ta’ azzjonif’ka] li tfaqqa’marda.
Dmirijiet tas-Suprintendent.
Investigazzjonijietta’ prosegwiment.
G[eluq tal-fond.
B 168
(2) Is-Suprintendent g[andu jo[ro; avvi] ta’ infurzar lill-persuna responsabbli u dan g[andu jkun fil-forma speçifikata fi Skeda6 li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti, jew f’kull forma modifikata o[raskond ma s-Suprintendent jista’ jqis li jkun adatt fiç-çirkostanzipartikolari.
(3) :aladarba l-fond, parti mill-fond jew xi sistema relatatama’ l-ilma jkunu ;ew mag[luqin b’avvi] ta’ infurzar ma[ru; mis-Suprintendent, l-istess avvi] ta’ infurzar jista’ ji;i biss revokat ;aladarbajkun ;ie konfermat mis-Suprintendent li r-riskju ta’ xi infezzjoni jkun;ie kkontrollat.
(4) Kull min jonqos milli jikkonforma ru[u ma’ l-avvi] ta’infurzar ma[ru; ta[t is-subregolament (2) ta’ dan ir-regolament, ikun[ati ta’ reat ta[t l-Att.
19. Kull min jikser xi disposizzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti ikun[ati ta’ reat ta[t l-Att.
Avvi] ta’ infurzar.
Nuqqas ta’konformità ma’ l-avvi] ta’ infurzar.
Reati.
B 169
SKEDA 1 FREKWENZI TA’ SPEZZJONI RAKKOMANDATI GĦALL-EVALWAZZJONI TA’ RISKJU
LISTA TA’ KONTROLLI 1: INSTALLAZJONIJIET GĦAT-TKESSIĦ TA’ L-ILMA
SISTEMA/SERVIZZI INKARIGU FREKWENZA
Cooling tower u kondensaturi evaporattivi
Monitoraġġ tal-kwalità ta’ l-ilma, l-użu ta’ l-ilma u l-użu ta’ bioċida/kimika biex tiġi evalwata u żgurata l-effettività tar-reġim tat-trattament ta’ l-ilma, inklużi l-parametri ewlenin kimiċi u mikrobioloġiċi u osservazzjonijiet tal-kondizjoni interna ta’ l-għadira, pack u ilma
Kull sitt xhur
Funzjoni ta’ kontroll ċentrali, kalibrazzjoni tas-sensor konduttiv, funzjoni ta’ blowdown, uniformità fid-distribuzzjoni ta’ l-ilma, il-kundizzjoni ta’ sprays/troughs, eliminators, pack, għadira, immersion heaters, fann u apparat li-jtaffi l-ħoss
Kull xahar sa tlett xhur, skond ir-riskju
Tindif u disinfettar ta’ cooling towers/kondensaturi evaporattivi, make up tanks u sistemi assoċjati, inklużi l-uċuħ mxarrba kollha, hekk li titnehħa l-ġebla kollha fejn dan ikun meħtieġ. Il-packs għandhom jiġu maqlugħa u mnaddfa meta dan ikun prattikabli
Kull sitt xhur
B 170
LISTA TA’ KONTROLLI 2: SERVIZZI TA’ ILMA SĦUN U KIESAĦ
SERVIZZI
INKARIGU FREKWENZA
Servizzi ta’ ilma sħun Agħmel mezz li l-kampjuni jittieħdu mil-heaters ta’ l-ilma sħun, biex tiġi osservata l-kondizzjoni ta’ l-ilma mid-drain.
Kull sitt xhur
Ivverifika t-temperaturi tal-flow u irritorn fil-calorifiers
Kuljum
Ivverifika t-temperatura sa minuta biex tara jekk tkunx laħqet il-50oC fis-sentinal taps
Kull gimgħa
Ivverifika viżwalment l-uċuħ interni tal-water heaters għal-ġebla u l-ħama.
Kull sena
Ivverifika l-vitien rappreżentattivi għat-temperatura bħalma hu indikat hawn qabel fuq bażi ta’ rotazzjoni
Kull xahar
Servizzi ta’ ilma kiesaħ
Ivverifika t-temperatura ta’ l-ilma fit-tank il bogħod mill-balla u innota it-temperatura massima reġistrata minn termometri fissi għat-temperaturi massimi/minimi meta dawn ikunu mwaħħla
Kull sitt xhur
Nota: Jista’ jkun li din it-temperatura ma tinlaħaqx f’Malta matul ix-xhur tas-sajf
Ivverifika li t-temperatura tkun anqas minn 20oC wara s-sentinal taps jinfetħu għal żewg minuti
Kull ġimgħa
Spezzjona viżwalment it-tankijiet ta’ l-ilma kiesaħ u għamel xogħol rimedjali meta dan ikun meħtieġ
Kull sitt xhur
Ivverifika l-vitien rapreżentattivi għat-temperatura bhalma hu indikat hawn qabel fuq bażi ta’ rotazzjoni
Kull xahar
Mnejn joħroġ l-ilma tad-doxxa
Żarma, nadaf u neħħi il-ġebla mnejn joħroġ l-ilma tad-doxxa u manek
Kull tlett xhur, jew qabel jekk ikun hekk meħtieġ
Żbokki li ma tantx jintużaw
Ifflaxxja sew u itfa fid-drain
Kull ġimgħa
B 171
LISTA TA’ KONTROLLI 3: SISTEMI OĦRA TA’ RISKJU
SISTEMA/SERVIZZ
INKARIGU FREKWENZA
Spray humidifiers, air washers u wet scrubbers
Naddaf u iddisinfetta spray humidifiers/air washers u make up tanks inklużi l-uċuħ kollha mxarrba, u titneħħa l-ġebla fejn ikun meħtieġ
Kull sitt xhur
Ikkonferma l-operazzjoni tat-trattament ta’ l-ilma mhux kimiku (jekk preżenti)
Kull ġimgħa
Water softeners Nadaf u iddisinfetta reżina u tankijiet ta’ ilma salmastru – ivverifika mal-manifattur x’tip ta’ kimika tista’ tintuża biex jiġi disinfettat il-qigħ tar-reżina
Kif ikun rakkomandatt mill-manifattur
Doxxox ta’ emerġenza u sprays għat-tbaħbiħ ta’ l-għajnejn
Ifflaxxja sew u itfa fid-drain Kull sitt xhur jew aktar frekwenti jekk ikun hekk rakkomandat mill-manifattur
Sistemi ta’ bexxiexa u romblu ta’ manka
Meta tkun preżenti għal testijiet ta’ bexxiexa u romblu ta’ manka żgura ruħek li jkun hemm riskju minimu ta’ esposjizzjoni għall-aerosols
Kull tlett xhur
Sistemi li jkessħu torn u għodda ta’ makkinarju
Naddaf u iddisinfetta is-sistemi ta’ ħażna u ta’ distribuzzjoni
Kull sitt xhur
Banjijiet spa Ivverifika il-filtri – filtri tar-ramel għandhom jiġu backwashed ta’ kuljum
Kuljum
Ivverifika t-trattament ta’ l-ilma – pools għandhom jiġu trattati kontinwament b’bioċida ossidanti
Tlett darbiet kuljum
Naddaf u iddisinfetta s-sistema kollha
Kull ġimgħa
Sistemi ta’ tbexxix fl-ortikultura
Naddaf u iddisinfetta il-pajpijiet ta’ distribuzzjoni, spray heads u make up tanks, inklużi l-uċuħ mxarrba kollha, u neħħi l-ġebla fejn ikun neħtieġ
Kull sena
Funtani u apparat ieħor ta’ l-ilma (partikolarment fuq ġewwa)
Naddaf u iddisinfetta kull għadira, spray heads u make up tanks, inklużi l-uċuħ mxarrba kollha, u neħħi l-ġebla fejn ikun meħtieġ
Kull ġimgħa
B 172
SKE
DA
2
L
IVE
LL
I TA
’AZZ
JON
I WA
RA
LI J
SIR
MO
NIT
OR
AĠĠ
MIK
RO
BIO
LOĠ
IKU
GĦ
AS-
SIST
EM
I TA
L-C
OO
LIN
G T
OW
ER
S U
TA
L-K
ON
DE
NSA
TU
RI E
VA
POR
AT
TIV
I
GĦ
AD
D T
AL
-K
OL
ON
JA
ET
ER
OT
RO
FIK
A 1
CFU
/ML
F’ 3
0OC
(IN
KU
BA
ZZJO
NI T
A’
MIL
L-IN
QA
S 48
SI
EGĦ
A)
B
AT
TE
RJI
TA
L-
LEĠ
JON
EL
LA
C
FU/L
ITR
U2
A
ZZJO
NI R
IKJE
STA
FU
Q IS
-SIS
TE
MA
A
VV
IŻ L
IS-S
UPR
INT
EN
DE
NT
≤10,
000
≤100
0 Si
stem
a taħt
kon
trol
Xej
n
>10,
000
u sa
10
0,00
0 >1
000
u sa
10,
000
Erġ
a ir
reve
di il
-pro
gram
ope
ratt
iv –
L-
għad
d għ
andu
jiġ
i ko
nfer
mat
bi
lli
imm
edja
tam
ent
jerġ
għu
jittieħd
u ka
mpj
uni.
Jekk
l-is
tess
num
ru j
erġa
’ jin
stab
, il-
miż
uri
ta’
kont
roll
u ev
alw
azzj
oni
ta’
riskj
u għ
andh
om je
rġgħ
u jiġ
u riv
edut
i bie
x tiġ
i ide
ntifi
kata
kul
l az
zjon
i rim
edja
li.
War
a li
jittieħd
u l-k
ampj
uni u
jiġi
kon
ferm
at l-
iste
ss n
umru
, is-
Supr
inte
nden
t għa
ndu
jiġi i
nfor
mat
bil-
mik
tub
fi żm
ien
24 si
egħa
li
jasa
l ir-
rapp
ort
tal-l
abor
ator
ju u
għa
ndu
jinkl
udi
kopj
i ta
’ riż
ulta
ti ta
l-lab
orat
orju
flim
kien
mal
-miż
uri t
a’ k
ontro
ll li
jkun
u qe
għdi
n jit
tieħd
u m
ill-p
ersu
na r
espo
nsab
bli
biex
jirr
imed
ja s
-si
twaz
zjon
i.
>1
00,0
00
>10,
000
Impl
imen
t azz
joni
ta’ a
zzjo
ni k
orre
ttiv
a –
Għa
ndho
m im
med
jata
men
t jerġgħu
jitti
eħdu
l-ka
mpj
uni.
War
a għ
andh
a tk
un s
hot
dose
d b’
bioc
ida
kif
supp
ost
bħal
a pr
ekaw
zjon
i. L-
eval
waz
zjon
i ta’
ris
kju
u il-
miż
uri
ta’ k
ontro
ll għ
andh
om jiġu
rive
duti
biex
jiġu
iden
tifik
ati
azzj
oniji
et ri
med
jali.
Ġal
adar
ba r
-riż
ulta
ti m
ikro
biol
oġiċ
i jin
dika
w d
awn
il-liv
elli
ta’
għad
d ta
’ ba
tterji
, il-
pers
una
resp
onsa
bbli
għan
dha
tinfo
rma
fi żm
ien
24 s
iegħ
a m
inn
x’hi
n tirċi
evi r
-rap
port
tal-l
abor
ator
ju, l
is-
Supr
inte
nden
t bill
i ċċe
mpi
llu je
w b
il-m
iktu
b fi żm
iem
48
siegħa
, u
dak
ir-ra
ppor
t għa
ndu
jinkl
udi k
opji
tar-
riżul
tati
tal-l
abor
ator
ju
flim
kien
mal
-miż
uri t
a’ k
ontro
ll li
jkun
u qe
għdi
n jit
tieħd
u bi
ex
is-s
itwaz
zjon
i tiġ
i rim
edja
ta.
1 L
-għa
dd ta
l-kol
onja
jiġi
det
erm
inat
bi p
our p
late
met
hod
skon
d IS
O 6
222(
20) j
ew b
i spr
ead
plat
e m
etho
d fu
q il-
yeas
t ext
ract
aga
r 2 d
eter
min
at sk
ond
ISO
117
31(1
9)
B 173
SKE
DA
3
KO
NT
RO
LL
TA
’ TE
MPE
RA
TU
RA
GĦ
AS-
SIST
EM
I TA
’ IL
MA
SĦ
UN
U K
IESA
Ħ
FRE
KW
EN
ZA
IV
VE
RIF
IKA
L
IVE
LL
LI J
RID
JIN
TL
AĦ
AQ
N
OT
I
ILM
A K
IESA
Ħ
ILM
A SĦ
UN
Kul
l gim
għa
Sent
inal
taps
It-
tem
pera
tura
ta
’ l-i
lma
għan
dha
tkun
taħt
20
o C
jew
in
qas
war
a li
l-ilm
a jitħa
lla
nież
el
għal
m
ill-in
qas
żewġ
min
uti
It-te
mpe
ratu
ra
ta’
l-ilm
a għ
andh
a tk
un t
a’ l
-inqa
s 50
o C
f’m
inut
a li
l-ilm
a jib
da ji
nżel
Dan
it-t
est
jiżgu
ra l
i t-t
empe
ratu
ra t
al-p
rovv
ista
u t
ar-
ritor
n f’
kull
daw
ra ji
bqa’
ma
tinbi
dilx
, jiġ
ifier
i kul
l daw
ra
tkun
qed
tiff
unzj
ona
kif m
eħtieġ
Kul
l xah
ar
Jekk
he
mm
, l-i
nput
għ
at-th
emos
tatic
mix
er
valv
es (
TMV
) fu
q bażi
ta
’ sen
tinel
là
it-
tem
pera
tura
tal
-pro
vvis
ta t
a’
l-ilm
a għ
at-T
MV
għa
ndha
mill
-in
qas
tkun
ta’
50o C
sa
min
uta
min
n m
eta
jibda
nie
zel l
-ilm
a
Mod
kif
tista
’ tk
ejje
l da
n hu
wa
billi
jin
tuża
sur
face
te
mpe
ratu
re p
robe
.
l-i
lma
li joħr
oġ
u li
jerġ
a lu
ra
għal
w
ater
he
ater
l-i
lma
li joħr
oġ
għan
du
jkun
m
ill-in
qas
60o C
, u
jirrit
orna
f’
tem
pera
tura
ta
’ m
ill-in
qas
50o C
Jekk
ik
un
hem
m
wieħe
d im
waħħa
l, po
cket
għ
at-
term
omet
ru fi
l-wiċċ
tal-ħ
ażna
tal-h
eate
r ta
’ l-il
ma
sħun
u
fuq
ir-rit
orn
hum
a pu
nti
tajb
in m
nejn
tis
ta’
titke
jjel
it-te
mpe
ratu
ra
eżat
ta.
Jek
k ik
un h
emm
poc
ket
bħal
dak
in
stal
lat,
dan
il-ke
jl jis
ta’ j
sir u
jiġi
mniżż
el m
inn
build
ing
man
agem
ent s
yste
m.
K
ull s
itt x
hur
Id-dħu
l m
nejn
jidħo
l l-
ilma
kies
aħ (
ta’
l-inq
as
darb
a fix
-xitw
a u
darb
a fis
-saj
f)
Pref
erib
ilmen
t l-i
lma
għan
du
jkun
in
qas
min
n 20
o C
il-ħi
n ko
llu
N
orm
alm
ent
l-ikt
ar p
ost
konv
enje
nti
biex
jitk
ejje
l hu
wa
fejn
iku
n he
mm
il-ħ
ruġ
tal-b
alla
għa
l ġo
t-tan
k ta
l-ħaż
na
ta’ l
-ilm
a ki
esaħ
Kul
l sitt
xhu
r
Għa
dd
ta’
vitie
n ra
ppreże
ntat
tivi
fuq
bażi
ta’ r
otaz
zjon
i
It-te
mpe
ratu
ra
ta’
l-ilm
a għ
andh
a tk
un 2
0o C j
ew i
nqas
w
ara
li l-i
lma
jitħa
lla n
ieże
l għa
l że
wġ
min
uti
It-te
mpe
ratu
ra
ta’
l-ilm
a għ
andh
a tk
un ta
’ l-in
qas
50o C
fi
żmie
n m
inut
a m
in m
eta
l-ilm
a jib
da n
ieże
l. Id
-diff
eren
za b
ejn
l-ogħ
la
u l-i
nqas
te
mpe
ratu
ra
meħ
uda
tal-v
itien
war
a m
inut
a m
a għ
andi
ex tk
un ta
’ ikt
ar m
inn
10o C
Din
il-v
erifi
ka tiżg
ura
li s-
sist
ema
kollh
a tk
un q
ed taħd
em
sew
B 174
SKE
DA
4
L
IVE
LL
I TA
’AZZ
JON
I WA
RA
LI J
SIR
MO
NIT
OR
AĠĠ
MIK
RO
BIO
LO
GIK
U ĠĦ
AS-
SIST
EM
I TA
’ L-IL
MA
SĦ
UN
U K
IESA
Ħ
BA
TT
ER
JI T
AL
-L
EĠ
JON
EL
LA
C
FU/L
ITR
U1
A
ZZJO
NI M
EĦ
TIEĠ
A F
UQ
IS-S
IST
EM
A
A
VV
IŻ L
IS-S
UPR
INT
EN
DE
NT
≤100
0 Si
stem
a taħt
kon
trol
X
ejn
>100
0 u
sa 1
0,00
0 Je
w: (i)
Je
kk
kam
pjun
w
ieħe
d bi
ss
jew
tn
ejn
ikun
u pożi
ttivi
, għ
andh
om j
erġgħu
jitt
ieħd
u ka
mpj
uni
tas-
sist
emi.
Jekk
l-
għad
d ik
un l
-iste
ss,
il-m
iżur
i ta
’ ko
ntro
l għ
andh
om j
iġu
rived
uti
u għ
andh
a ss
ir ev
alw
azzj
oni
tar-
riskj
u bi
ex t
iġi
iden
tifik
ata
kull
azzj
oni r
imed
jali;
(ii
) Je
kk il
-maġġo
ranz
a ta
’ ka
mpj
uni t
kun
pożi
ttiva
, is-
sist
ema
tista
tiġ
i ko
loni
zzat
a, f
orsi
fuq
liv
ell
baxx
, bi
l-leġ
jone
lla.
Id-d
isin
fetta
r ta
s-si
stem
a għ
andu
jiġi
kun
sidr
at, iżd
a w
koll
il-m
iżur
i ta
’ ko
ntro
ll għ
andh
om
jiġu
rived
uti
u ss
ir ev
alw
azzj
oni
tar-
riskj
u bi
ex t
iġi
iden
tifik
ata
kull
azzj
oni
rimed
jali
oħra
li ti
sta’
tkun
meħ
tieġa
.
War
a li
jittieħd
u il-
kam
pjun
i m
ill-ġ
did
u jiġ
i ko
nfer
mat
li
l-għa
dd
ikun
l-is
tess
, is
-Sup
rinte
nden
t għ
andu
jiġ
i in
form
at b
il-m
iktu
b fi
żmie
n 24
siegħa
min
n m
eta
jirċi
evi r
-rap
port
tal-l
abor
ator
ju, k
if uk
oll
kopj
i tar
-riż
ulta
ti ta
l-lab
orat
orju
flim
kien
mal
-miż
uri t
a’ k
ontro
ll li
l-pe
rsun
a re
spon
sabb
li tk
un q
egħd
a tieħu
bie
x tir
rimed
ja s-
sitw
azzj
oni.
>10,
000
Il-ka
mpj
uni t
as-s
iste
ma
għan
dhom
jerġ
għu
jittieħd
u u
imm
edja
tam
ent i
l-m
iżur
i ta’
kon
troll
jiġu
rived
uti b
iex
tiġi i
dent
ifika
ta l-
azzj
oni r
imed
jali,
ki
f uko
ll il-
poss
ibilt
à ta
’ dis
infe
ttar t
as-s
iste
ma.
Ġal
adar
ba r-
riżul
tati
mik
robi
oloġ
iċi j
indi
kaw
daw
k il-
livel
li ta
’għa
dd
ta’
batte
rji,
il-pe
rsun
a re
spon
sabb
li għ
andh
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B 175
SKEDA 5
DIKJARAZZJONI TA’ KONFERMA TA’ ĦLAS DOVUT LIS-SUPRINTENDENT TAS-SAĦĦA PUBBLIKA
Suprintendent tas-Saħħa Pubblika
Diviżjoni tas-Saħħa
Jien, hawn taħt fil-kapaċità tiegħi ta’ ..........................(kariga) ta’ ........................................... (isem
tal-fond) hawn niddikjara li nħallas, fi żmien xaħar minn meta nirċivi l-fattura, l-ispejjeż kollha li
d-Diviżjoni tas-Saħħa tagħmel biex tieħu ..........(għadd) kampjuni, tittrasporthom, tippreparhom u
tanalizzhom, wara li dawn ġew miġburin mill- .................................................. (isem tal-fond) fi-
............................(data meta jittieħdu il-kampjuni) bħala parti mill-investigazzjoni ta’ każ jew
każ suspett tal-marda tal-Leġjonella.
_______________________________
(Firma)
Isem u Kunjom :
F’isem :
Numru tal-Karta ta’ Identità :
Data tat-Twelid :
Post tat-Twelid :
Isem u Kunjom tal-Ġenituri :
Indirizz ta’ Residenza :
Indirizz fejn tintbgħat il-Fattura :
Numru tal-VAT :
Data :
B 176
SKEDA 6
AWTORITÀ TAS-SAĦĦA
AVVIŻ TA’ INFURZAR (Skond ir-regolament 18(2) tar-Regolamenti ta’ 2005 dwar il-Kontroll tal-Leġjonella)
Data: ...............................................
Lil: ...............................................
...............................................
...............................................
1. Wara li saru investigazzjonijiet mis-Suprintendent tas-Saħħa Pubblika, instab li r-
riskju ta’ infezzjoni mill marda tal-leġjonella huwa wieħed sinifikanti fi
....................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
2. Ir-riskju ta’ infezzjoni mill marda tal-leġjonella għandu x’jaqsam ma’
...........................
...............................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
3. Mingħajr preċudizzju għad-dritt li għandu s-Suprintendent li jieħu azzjoni skond id-
disposizzjonijoet tar-Regolamenti ta’ l-2005 dwar il-Kontroll tal-Leġjonella, qed tiġi mitlub li
tagħlaq IMMEDJATAMANT il- .....................................................................................................
sakemm tiġi informat xort’ oħra.
__________________________________
Suprintendent tas-Saħħa Pubblika
B 177
L.N. 5 of 2006
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 2003(ACT NO. XIII of 2003)
Control of Legionella Regulations, 2006
IN exercise of the powers conferred by article 26 (i) of the PublicHealth Act, 2003, the Minister of Health, the Elderly and CommunityCare has made the following regulations>-
1. The title of these regulations is the Control of LegionellaRegulations, 2006.
2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires>-
“accredited laboratory” means a laboratory which takes partin an external quality assessment scheme for the isolation oflegionella from water and where the interpretation of any resultsis carried out by an experienced microbiologist<
“the Act” means the Public Health Act<
“authorised officer” means any duly qualified personauthorised by the Superintendent to carry out any functions underthese regulations and includes any nominated officer<
“biocide” means a physical or chemical agent capable ofkilling micro-organisms, including Legionella<
“clean” means to render free from visible sludge, foam, slime(including algae and fungi), rust, scale, dirt, and any deposit oraccumulation of impurities or other foreign material<
“cold water system” means an installation of plant, pipes andfittings in which cold water is stored, distributed and subsequentlydischarged<
“cooling tower systems” includes>-
(a) a cooling tower, or a number of interconnectedcooling towers that use the same recirculating water< and
(b) any machinery that is used to operate any suchtower< and
Title.
Definitions.
B 178
(c) any associated tanks, pipes, valves, pumps orcontrols<
“cooling tower” means a device whose main purpose is tocool water by direct contact between that water and a stream ofair<
“designated area” means any premises or part thereof to whichthe public or a section of the public has access, whether on paymentor otherwise<
“disinfect” means to carry out a process which is intended tokill or remove pathogenic micro-organisms<
“drift” means the water aerosol which emerges from theairflow outlet of a cooling system<
“evaporative condenser” means a device whose main purposeis to cool a fluid by passing that fluid through a heat exchangerwhich is itself cooled by the contact of water passing through astream of air<
“guidelines” means the European Guidelines for Control andPrevention of Travel Associated Legionnaires’ Disease producedby the European Working Group for Legionella Infections(EWGLI) and endorsed by the Committee for the EpidemiologicalSurveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases in theCommunity, instituted by Decision 2119#98#EC of the EuropeanParliament and the Council<
“heat exchanger” means a device for transferring heat betweenfluids which are not in direct contact with one another<
“heterotrophic colony count” means an estimate of the numberof viable units of bacteria per millilitre of water made using thepour plate, spread plate or membrane filter test (also known as thetotal bacterial count, total plate count or viable bacterial count test)method<
“legionella” means bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella<
“premises” includes all non-domestic premises used for or inconnection with the carrying on of a trade or business (whether forprofit or not) and should include any healthcare facility and schools<
B 179
“responsible person” includes the person who owns, managesor controls the cooling tower systems, or evaporative condensers,or hot and cold water systems, or water fountains or a number ofthese systems in the same premises<
“sentinel taps”, in relation to a hot water system, means thefirst and last taps on a recirculating system. For cold water systems(or non-recirculating hot water systems), the nearest and furthesttaps from the storage tank. The choice of sentinel taps may alsoinclude taps which are considered to represent a particular risk<
“spa pool” includes a bath or a small pool where warm wateris constantly recirculated, through high velocity jets or with theinjection of air to agitate the water<
“the Superintendent” means the Superintendent of PublicHealth.
“warm water system” means a piped water supply, includingany thermostatic mixing valve, which is designed to supply waterat a temperature of between 30oC and 60oC<
“water” means water supplied through the main waterdistribution system or water supplied by an authorised private watersupplier or through a water supply approved by the Superintendentor by the relevant competent authorities<
“water fountain” means any water feature located in adesignated area.
3. (1) Cooling tower systems and evaporative condensersare prohibited to be newly installed on healthcare facilities andschools.
(2) Installation of new cooling tower system or evaporativecondenser on any other premises should be restricted to those casesonly where no other suitable dry cooling facility is possible as analternative.
4. (1) At the stage of installation of cooling tower system or anevaporative condenser, inspection shall be carried out by competentpersons so that the cooling tower and evaporative condenser poseminimal health risk to occupants of the premises and members of thepublic.
(2) Cooling systems shall be designed and constructed so asto minimise the release of drift and to aid safe operation, regular cleaningand disinfection.
Installation of newcooling towersystems andevaporativecondensers.
Design andconstruction ofcooling towersystem andevaporativecondenser.
B 180
5. The cooling tower or evaporative condenser shall be locatedat least five metres away from air circulating and ventilating inlets,open windows and occupied areas, pedestrian thorough fares, trafficareas, areas of public access, exhaust discharge from kitchens, airhandling systems or other areas where nutrients conveyed from thesesystems could assist in the growth of legionella.
6. Make-up water shall be supplied either through the maindistribution system or by an authorised water supplier or through a watersupply approved by the Superintendent.
7. (1) Effluent water from cooling towers and evaporativecondensers shall be discharged into the public sewers as approved bythe respective competent authorities.
(2) The concentration of chemicals in the effluent shall bewithin the limits established by the respective competent authorities.
8. (1) Cooling towers and evaporative condensers shall becommissioned, approved and certified by a competent warrantedengineer in terms of the Engineering Profession Act before use to ensurethat they operate correctly and safely.
(2) The entire air-conditioning system shall be clear of anyconstruction debris and dirt, and cleaned before operation starts.
(3) Precautions shall be taken to control the risks duringcommissioning, start up and during the normal operation of the systemas per guidelines.
9. (1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensurethat>
(a) any cooling tower system or evaporative condenser inuse is maintained and tested in accordance with the guidelines<
(b) the water of the cooling tower system or evaporativecondenser is maintained in a clean condition<
(c) the water of the cooling tower system or evaporativecondenser is continuously treated with>
i. one or more biocides to effectively control the growthof micro-organisms, including Legionella< and
ii. chemicals or other agents to minimise scaleformation, corrosion and fouling<
Location of coolingtowers andevaporativecondensers.
Source of water.
Discharge of water.
Commissioning andoperation.
Cap. 321.
Maintenance andtesting of coolingtower systems andevaporativecondensers.
Water quality andtreatment.
B 181
(d) a chlorine-compatible bio-dispersant is added to therecirculating water of the cooling tower system or evaporativecondenser, and that the system is then disinfected, cleaned and re-disinfected>
i. immediately prior to initial start up followingcommissioning, or any shut down period of greater than onemonth< and
ii. at intervals not exceeding six months<
(e) the cooling tower system or the evaporative condenserare inspected in accordance with the guidelines and Schedule 1<
(f) at least once every month take a sample of the recirculatingwater of the cooling tower system and the evaporative condenserto an accredited laboratory for testing for heterotrophic colonycount and once every six months for legionella<
(g) a water sample shall be taken before the dosing of biocideand in accordance with the guidelines.
10. (1) The responsible person must ensure that the actionsfollowing microbiological monitoring of cooling towers and evaporativecondensers is in accordance with the procedures laid down in Schedule2 to these regulations.
(2) The responsible person shall immediately inform theSuperintended of any situation provided for in Schedule 2 of theseregulations.
(3) The responsible person shall carry out any furthermonitoring and remedial actions as may be directed by theSuperintendent.
(4) The Superintendent may require the systems or partthereof to be shutdown until all necessary remedial actions have beentaken by the responsible person and until microbiological samplingresults of any system would have returned within the recommendedacceptable levels as indicated in Schedule 2 to these regulations.
11. (1) The responsible person shall ensure that>
(a) unless the system is shut down or drained of water or isotherwise not in use, any hot and cold water system that theresponsible person owns, manages or controls is maintained and
Disinfection,cleaning and re-disinfection.
Routine inspectionsand testing.
Microbiologicalsampling frequency.
Water sampling.
Action levelsfollowingmicrobiologicalmonitoring ofcooling towersystems andevaporativecondensers.
Maintenance of hotand cold watersystems.
B 182
tested in the manner set out in these regulations and according tothe guidelines<
(b) the hot and cold water system is disinfected by heat orchlorination and cleaned immediately prior to initial start upfollowing commissioning, or any shut down period of greater thanone month<
(c) the hot and cold water system is disinfected by one ormore of the following methods>
i. at least once each month by heat or chlorination< or
ii. continuously by means of automatic low levelchlorination< or
iii. continuously by means of ultra-violet lighttreatment< or
iv. a method approved in the guidelines<
(d) the hot and cold water system is inspected and that thehot and cold water systems are maintained at all times in accordancewith the guidelines and Schedule 1 and 3<
(e) when biocides are used to treat water systems, they aremeticulously controlled and checked at least weekly or as otherwiseindicated to ensure that it is operating correctly<
(f) at least once every six months a sample of the waterfrom the hot and cold water system is taken and delivered to anaccredited laboratory for testing and reporting on Legionella.
12. (1) The responsible person must ensure that the actionsfollowing microbiological monitoring of hot and cold water systemsare in accordance with the procedures laid down in Schedule 4 of theseregulations.
(2) The responsible person shall immediately inform theSuperintended of the situation provided for in Schedule 4 of theseregulations.
(3) The responsible person shall carry out any furthermonitoring and remedial actions as may be directed by theSuperintendent.
Start up procedures.
Routinedisinfection.
Routine inspectionsand testing.
Biocide treatments.
Microbiologicalsampling frequency.
Action levelsfollowingmicrobiologicalmonitoring.
B 183
(4) The Superintendent may require the systems or partthereof to be shut down until all necessary remedial actions have beentaken by the responsible person and until microbiological samplingresults have returned within the recommended acceptable levels inSchedule 4 of these regulations.
13. (1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensurethat>
(a) any water fountain under his responsibility ismaintained and tested in accordance with the guidelines andSchedule 1<
(b) water in a water fountain is sampled>
i. at least once a month for the purpose of determiningthe heterotrophic colony counts< and
ii. at least once every six months for the purpose ofdetecting legionella bacteria.
(2) The responsible person shall immediately inform theSuperintendent of the situation provided for in Schedule 2 of theseregulations.
(3) The Superintendent may require the responsible personto carry out tests and maintenance of water fountains as he may deemnecessary.
14. (1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensurethat any spa pool and any other type of water system under hisresponsibility is maintained and tested in accordance with the guidelinesand Schedule 1.
(2) Spa pools on display in retail outlets or exhibitions shallbe treated in the same manner as if they were being used.
15. (1) The responsible person shall>
(a) carry out a risk assessment to identify and assess the riskof exposure to legionella bacteria from work activities and the watersystems on the premises under his control as identified in theguidelines< and
Maintenance andtesting of waterfountains.
Microbiologicalsampling.
Notice to carry outinspection, test ormaintenance ofwater fountains.
Maintenance andtesting of other risksystems.
Risk assessment.
B 184
(b) identify any necessary precautionary measures whichmay need to be adopted< and
(c) review the assessment either annually or when thesituation changes or when the original assessment may no longerbe valid< and
(d) keep a fully documented record of the risk assessment.
(2) When the risk assessment reveals that there is aforeseeable risk which cannot be eliminated, the responsible personshall adopt a scheme specifying the measures to be taken to minimisethe risk of exposure.
(3) The risk assessment and operation of the controlmeasures shall be audited by an independent competent person at leastevery two years.
(4) All maintenance and risk assessment records shall beretained for at least five years.
16. (1) The responsible person shall inform the Superintendentof an outbreak of legionnaire’s disease or if it is suspected to haveoccurred.
(2) In the event or on the suspicion of an outbreak oflegionnaires’ disease, the responsible person shall implement allinstructions which may be issued by the Superintendent.
17. (1) It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to investigateany case or suspected case of Legionnaires’ disease at any premisesand to cause the sampling and analysis of any samples required toinvestigate such case or suspected case.
(2) The expenses incurred for the elevation, transportation,preparation and analysis of samples in case of initial investigation of acase or suspected case of legionnaire’ disease shall be encumbered bythe Superintendent.
(3) If the results of the initial samples indicate the presenceof Legionella species, or if the investigation is within 24 months of thefirst notified case or suspected case, the expenses of follow-up samplesor initial samples, as the case may be, shall be encumbered by theresponsible person>
Control measures.
External audit.
Action plan for anoutbreak.
Duties of theSuperintendent.
Initialinvestigations.
Follow-upinvestigations.
B 185
Provided that the responsible person of the premises shall sign apriori the declaration attached as Schedule 5 to these regulationsconfirming his acceptance to pay any fees due to the Superintendent.
(4) Any person who fails to comply with sub-regulation (3)of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and the court, besidesawarding punishment, shall oblige the accused to pay the due fees.
18. (1) In the event that the responsible person fails to followthe instructions referred to in the preceding regulations, or theSuperintendent considers that the risk of infection with legionella fromthat particular premises is significant, he may order that the premises,part of the premises or any water related system, be immediately closeduntil the risk of infection is controlled.
(2) The Superintendent shall issue an enforcement notice tothe responsible person and shall be in the form specified in Schedule 6to these regulations, or in any other modified form as the Superintendentmay deem appropriate in the particular circumstances may deem.
(3) Once the premises, part of the premises or any waterrelated system has been closed by an enforcement notice issued by theSuperintendent, same enforcement notice may be lifted only after it isconfirmed by the Superintendent that the risk of infection has beencontrolled.
(4) Any person who fails to comply with the enforcementnotice issued under sub regulation (2) of this regulation shall be guiltyof an offence under the Act.
19. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of theseregulations shall be guilty of an offence under the Act.
Closure of premises.
Enforcement notice.
Failure to complywith theenforcement notice.
Offences.
B 186
SCHEDULE 1
RECOMMENDED INSPECTION FREQUENCIES FOR RISK SYSTEMS
CHECKLIST 1: COOLING WATER INSTALLATIONS
SYSTEM/SERVICES TASK FREQUENCY
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers
Monitor water quality, water use and biocide/chemical use to assess and ensure effectiveness of water treatment regime, including key chemical and microbiological parameters and observations of internal condition of pond, pack and water
6 monthly
Central control function, conductivity sensor calibration, blow down function, uniformity of water distribution, condition of sprays/troughs, eliminators, pack, pond, immersion heater, fan and sound attenuators
Monthly to 3 monthly, according to risk
Clean and disinfect cooling towers/evaporative condensers, make up tanks and associated systems, including all wetted surfaces, descaling as necessary. Packs should be removed and cleaned where practicable.
6 monthly
B 187
CHECKLIST 2: HOT AND COLD WATER SERVICES
SERVICE TASK FREQUENCY
Warm water services Arrange for samples to be taken from hot water heaters, in order to note condition of drain water
6 monthly
Check temperatures in flow and return at calorifiers
Daily
Check temperature up to 1 minute to see if it has reached 50oC in the sentinel taps
Weekly
Visual check on internal surfaces of water heaters for scale and sludge
Annually
Check representative taps for temperature as above on a rotational basis
Monthly
Cold water services Check tank water temperature remote from ball valve and mains temperature at ball valve. Note maximum temperatures recorded by fixed max/min thermometers where fitted
6 monthly
Note: This temperature may not be reached during the summer months in Malta
Check that temperature is below 20oC after running the water for up to 2 minutes in sentinel taps
Weekly
Visually inspect cold water storage tanks and carry out remedial work where necessary
6 monthly
Check representative taps for temperature as above on a rotational basis
Monthly
Shower heads Dismantle, clean and descale shower heads and hoses
Quarterly, or as necessary, whichever comes first
Little used outlets Flush through and purge to drain
Weekly
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment ta’ l-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta
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