Owning a business is a difficult task, and with so much to think about, many business owners overlook the need to keep on top of their water systems. However, if you have employees that regularly use the water within your buildings, it is your responsibility to ensure they it is safe to use.
Luckily, there is a simple way to check the safety and hygiene of your water, which is to hire an expert auditor. A water safety auditory will assess all aspects of your water management system to ensure your water is safe, mitigating the chances of anyone developing illnesses f. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about safety audits, from what they are, their advantages, and who performs them.
What is a water safety audit?
A water safety audit is a check that is carried out in order to assess the possible safety risks present in your water management system. If you own or run a building, you will be expected to carry out regular audits on your water systems in order to assess the safety of the water. During these audits, your hygiene compliance will be observed, as well as any corrective actions that need to be implemented if your water is unsafe.
What does a water safety audit include?
Since a water safety audit concerns the hygiene of your water, the audits themselves are extremely comprehensive. Here are the things that you can expect to be included in a water safety audit:
- Assessment of individuals responsible for water safety
- Review of the lines of communication
- Review of compliance with drinking-water policies
- Review of record management
- Inspection of all aspects of risk assessment
- Corrective action plans
- Check for evidence of regular testing of water safety management training and systems
- Assessment of overall competence
Why should you conduct a water safety audit?
A water safety compliance audit is essential in order to ensure your water suppliers and internal water systems are safe to use. Without completing audits, you run the risk of exposing users to diseases such as Legionnaires which can be fatal.
Regardless of where your business is located, or the size of your business, there is always the risk that your water system might be unsafe and therefore cannot be consumed. If you don’t dedicate time to investigating your water system on a regular basis, you are putting your employees at risk, which is not only dangerous for those within the building but could also be detrimental to the future viability of your business.
What are the advantages of a water safety audit?
There are many advantages to implementing auditing water safety plans, which is why your business should develop the positive practice of scheduling regular audits. In order to highlight why audit reporting is essential, we have collated some of the key advantages below.
Ensures your water is safe to use
The number one reason you need to implement regular water safety audits is to ensure that your water is safe to drink. Most people underestimate the presence of water-borne diseases within residential and commercial buildings and water systems, but they can appear anywhere.
Without systematic checks, you are gravely overlooking multiple aspects of water safety, hence putting people at risk. Thankfully, with the help of an experienced professional, you can get an expert opinion as to whether or not your water is safe to use, giving you the peace of mind you need to focus on other aspects of your business.
Highlights any neglected areas
Even if you think you have a high-quality water system that meets all of the industry standards, there is always the chance that you have missed something. Water safety management is a process of continuous improvement, so hiring an expert to analyze your current systems will allow you to recognize neglected areas and implement improvements to make your water system safer to use.
Encourages employee confidence
Carrying out regular audits proves to your employees that you are taking their safety seriously. The main aim of the audit is to assess compliance with health and safety regulations, and implementing a safety program designed to keep on top of water management, coupled with consistent audits will encourage confidence from your employees, ensuring they are happy with their workplace.
Gives your business a good reputation
Regular audits will increase the confidence of clients, specialists, and regulators, as it suggests that you are serious about running a successful business. Oversights regarding business safety suggest that you don’t take your business seriously, which will lead to a poor reputation.
Moreover, a lack of compliance with policies and procedures could get your business shut down for a period of time, which will create additional distrust and caution surrounding your company. Therefore, if you want to present yourself as a serious contender within your industry, it is essential that you seek the services of a water safety specialist to carry out regular audits.
Prevents future issues
If you allow your water management system to go unchecked for an extended period of time, you increase the likelihood of issues occurring in the future. However, if you schedule checks at regular intervals, you will be able to identify any potential problem before it becomes serious, therefore saving you money in the long term.
Who can perform a water safety audit?
It is highly recommended to appoint a water specialist to check your water system. Hiring a professional who knows the ins and outs of water safety management will ensure your audit is as thorough as possible. Moreover, when you hire a water audit specialist, you know that the assessment will be completely impartial. An external professional who has no knowledge of your business will truthfully perform the audit and provide you with all the information you need.
Could your business benefit from a water safety audit?
There is no doubt that your business will benefit from a water safety audit. Although it is not required by law, it is recommended by all health and safety boards that you take it upon yourself to carry out regular audits. The main reason your business will benefit from a water safety audit is because it can guarantee that you are maintaining a safe work space and are not putting your employees at risk of developing any airborne diseases.
In addition, performing audits will benefit your business as a whole. Not only will it prove to workers you have their best interests at heart, but it will also prove to potential clients and collaborators that you run a serious business that prioritises safety and compliance.
Legionella risk assessment services
One of the key things that water safety audits are designed to avoid is the development of Legionella in your water system. Legionella is a dangerous pathogen that can develop in your water system when it is not properly maintained.
The water specialists at Legionella Risk and PAT are dedicated to ensuring that your water systems are as safe as possible and free from any risk of Legionella. In addition to providing you with a thorough assessment, we also provide treatment solutions and prevention techniques to help equip you with all you need to maintain safe water systems.
Our Legionella risk assessment involves:
- Checking all water sources, such as water outlets, water heaters and pipe work in your property
- Assessing who is at risk from these dangers
- Water temperature checks
- Identifying if there is any Legionella bacteria in the water system
- Setting up the necessary safety measures to control and minimise the threat of Legionella bacteria spreading across your property.
- Documenting the evidence gathered, while doing the assessment and presenting you with your Legionella Risk Assessment Report on the same day
