by Shane Henson — November 19, 2012—The ACE Group, an international multiline property and casualty insurer, has released a new environmental advisory titled Legionella: Minimizing the Risk During Construction.
The advisory discusses the potential risks of pollutants, specifically Legionella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings.
The ACE Group notes that contractors may encounter Legionella during renovation or construction projects that involve heating and cooling systems or any water-containing source. The advisory examines opportunities to help mitigate the risks of Legionella and describes how contractors can meet higher standards of care and take a proactive approach to risk management in order to help minimize the potentially harmful effects of pollutants during construction.
“Failure to take the appropriate precautionary measures or create a thorough risk management strategy when dealing with risks like Legionella can jeopardize the health of workers, tenants, and others at a construction site leading to potential litigation, decontamination and restoration costs,” said Frank Westfall, a co-author of the advisory.
In conjunction with a proactive risk management plan, the advisory also references several expert resources that contractors can look to for guidance, say the ACE Group.
