The Role of the Responsible Person for Legionella Control

Under UK health and safety law, every property or business with a water system must have a “responsible person” appointed to oversee Legionella risk management.

This role is crucial to keeping water systems safe and compliant — and it carries legal accountability.

What Is a Responsible Person?

The responsible person is an individual designated to manage and oversee all activities relating to the control of Legionella bacteria in a property’s water systems.

They may be the property owner, a landlord, a facilities manager, or an appointed employee.

In many cases, especially in larger or higher-risk premises, an external water hygiene specialist is appointed to fulfil this role.

Their primary duties include:

Ensuring a Legionella risk assessment is carried out by a competent person
Overseeing the implementation of a written scheme of control
Monitoring water systems and maintaining records
Arranging remedial work where risks are identified
Ensuring ongoing compliance with ACOP L8 and HSG274 guidance

Why the Role Exists

Legionella bacteria thrive in poorly maintained water systems, particularly where temperatures and conditions allow them to multiply.

The responsible person ensures that these risks are identified and controlled before they can cause harm.

Appointing a responsible person provides:

Clear accountability – There is one point of contact responsible for safety.
Consistent monitoring – Routine checks and maintenance are not overlooked.
Legal protection – Demonstrating due diligence can help avoid penalties if inspected.

The Legal Framework

UK legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, makes it a legal requirement to control exposure to hazardous substances — including Legionella.

The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 clearly states that a competent person must be appointed to take day-to-day responsibility for managing Legionella risks.

This is not optional.

Skills and Competence

A responsible person should have:

Knowledge of water systems in the premises
Training in Legionella awareness and control measures
Understanding of record-keeping requirements
The authority to arrange inspections, maintenance, and remedial works

While some smaller landlords may choose to take on the role themselves after training, many commercial operations in Doncaster prefer to appoint an external Legionella testing specialist to ensure full compliance.

Doncaster-Specific Examples

In Doncaster, common scenarios include:

Care homes and sheltered housing – Where vulnerable residents are at higher risk
Industrial units and warehouses – Often with complex hot and cold water systems
Schools and leisure facilities – Which may have seasonal shutdowns leading to stagnant water risks

In all cases, the responsible person must ensure that the Legionella risk assessment is kept up to date and that control measures are working effectively.

Your Next Steps

If you do not currently have a designated responsible person for your premises, you should take action immediately. We can:

Help you identify and appoint a competent person internally, or
Take on the role as your external Legionella control specialist

Learn more about compliance and control:

Arrange Legionella Compliance Support in Doncaster

Call, text or WhatsApp or contact us online to discuss appointing a responsible person and ensuring your water systems meet all legal requirements under ACOP L8.

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