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Are you legally responsible for managing Legionella risk at your site? This nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification gives you the knowledge, authority and confidence to fulfil your role as a Responsible Person, and demonstrate full compliance with the Approved Code of Practice L8:2013 and HSG274.
Delivered by L8 Protection's team of industry-accredited specialists, this one-day course is the benchmark qualification for anyone appointed, or preparing to be appointed, as the Responsible Person for legionella control within their organisation.
The Highfield Level 3 Award in Legionella Control for Responsible Persons (RQF) is a regulated qualification that sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, overseen by Ofqual. It is the industry-standard qualification for those who hold, or are about to hold, the position of Responsible Person under the requirements of ACoP L8:2013.
This course goes beyond basic legionella awareness. It is specifically designed for individuals with managerial responsibility for health and safety who need to interpret and apply legislation, manage written control schemes, and ensure competence across their site's water systems.
Awarding Organisation: Highfield Qualifications
Qualification Number: 601/2971/2
Learning Aim Reference: 60129712
Level: 3 (RQF)
Credit Value: 1
Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 8
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 8 hours
Assessment Method: Learner workbook
Duration: 1 day
Entry Requirements: Aged 16 or above, minimum Level 1 English
This is a management-level qualification. It is designed for those with the authority and responsibility to oversee legionella control, not for operatives carrying out day-to-day tasks. You should attend if you are:
A Responsible Person (RP) already appointed under ACoP L8 who wants to formalise their qualification and demonstrate competence.
A Facilities Manager, Building Manager or Estates Manager with oversight of hot and cold water systems and building compliance.
A Health and Safety Manager or Officer with Legionella compliance as part of your portfolio.
A Property Manager or Housing Manager managing water hygiene across residential or commercial premises.
An Authorised Deputy designated to cover the Responsible Person's duties in the RP's absence.
An NHS, Local Authority or Education Professional with formal legionella management duties in high-risk or public-sector buildings.
This course is relevant across all sectors where water system management is a legal obligation, including healthcare, education, hospitality, leisure, housing associations, manufacturing, commercial offices, local government and construction.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Under the 1974 Act, employers and building owners have a legal duty to manage legionella risk. The Approved Code of Practice L8:2013 and HSG274 Parts 1–3 set out in detail how that duty must be discharged. Non-compliance with the ACoP alone can result in enforcement action; you do not need a confirmed outbreak for the HSE to act.
The ACoP requires the Duty Holder to ensure a legionella risk assessment is in place, a written scheme of control is developed and maintained, and a suitably trained and competent Responsible Person is formally appointed to implement it. This qualification is the recognised standard for evidencing that competence, and demonstrating to the HSE, your board and your insurers that your organisation takes its obligations seriously.
The consequences of failing to comply are not hypothetical. Inspectors, managers and directors have faced prosecution, unlimited fines and custodial sentences following serious outbreaks. High-profile cases have led to public inquiries, civil litigation and irreversible reputational damage. Proactive compliance is the only acceptable position.
Specific consequences of non-compliance include improvement notices and prohibition notices issued by HSE inspectors during routine visits, unlimited fines and criminal prosecution for gross negligence, civil litigation from individuals affected by a confirmed outbreak, and significant reputational and operational damage to the organisation.
The qualification is built around three mandatory learning outcomes, each directly aligned to the Highfield qualification specification and the requirements of ACoP L8:2013 and HSG274.
Learning Outcome 1 - Understanding the Risks Associated with Legionella Bacteria and Legionellosis
You will develop a thorough understanding of the biology, behaviour and clinical impact of Legionella bacteria, the essential foundation for everything else on the course.
Topics covered include how Legionella bacteria multiply, the differences between species and serogroups, and the significance of bacterial size. You will examine the conditions required for bacterial growth in water systems, including temperatures between 20°C and 50°C, the presence of biofilm or other microorganisms, and stagnant or stationary water.
You will study all known routes of transmission and infection, including inhalation of contaminated aerosols and droplet nuclei, aspiration of oral and pharyngeal fluids, and invasive medical breathing techniques, as well as how Legionella grows within the body and overcomes the immune system.
The factors that affect personal susceptibility are covered in detail, including age, sex and underlying health conditions, with particular focus on the groups most at risk. You will learn to distinguish between the clinical symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, including fever, chills, severe breathing difficulties, confusion and gastrointestinal symptoms, and the milder Pontiac fever.
Finally, you will understand how a confirmed outbreak or suspected case can impact the operation of a site, even where the site is not ultimately determined to be the source.
Learning Outcome 2 - Legislation, Codes of Practice, and Roles and Responsibilities
You will develop a working knowledge of the UK regulatory framework for legionella control and understand what it demands of you, and the consequences if those demands are not met.
This outcome covers the relationship between ACoP L8:2013 and HSG274 and the primary health and safety legislation that underpins them, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH 2002 and RIDDOR 2013. You will understand the difference between an Approved Code of Practice and Technical Guidance, and the legal status of both in a court of law.
The HSE's approach during routine compliance inspections and outbreak investigations is examined in detail, including why failing to comply with the ACoP alone can result in enforcement action without a confirmed case of illness. You will understand the full range of actions available to HSE inspectors, including improvement notices and prohibition notices, and the operational and legal consequences of each.
A significant portion of this outcome is devoted to the formal structure of roles and responsibilities. You will understand the duties of the Duty Holder, who bears ultimate legal responsibility for ensuring a risk assessment is carried out, a written scheme is in place, and a competent Responsible Person is appointed. You will examine the role of the Responsible Person in implementing the written control scheme, the role of Authorised Deputies in covering for the RP in their absence, and the role of Operators and Operatives in carrying out the day-to-day tasks defined within the scheme. The assessment and appointment of competent individuals, and the requirement for clear formal lines of accountability, are covered throughout.
Learning Outcome 3 - Controlling the Risks Associated with Legionella Bacteria
You will learn how to put compliant legionella control measures into practice, from risk assessment and written scheme development through to record keeping, competence management and routine review.
The requirements of British Standard BS8580-1 for legionella risk assessments are covered in detail, including the selection of a qualified risk assessor, the preliminary work required before an assessment, ensuring comprehensiveness, making information available, and ensuring relevant personnel are present and accessible.
You will understand the full purpose and required content of a written scheme of control, covering all physical works, remedial actions, monitoring requirements, the appointment of individuals, and the training and competence assessment of staff. The practical steps involved in implementing the written scheme effectively across an organisation are examined throughout.
Record keeping is addressed as a critical compliance obligation. You will understand what records must be maintained, how long they must be kept, and why records form your primary evidence of compliance in any HSE investigation or legal proceeding.
The training and competence assessment of nominated individuals is covered at length, including the requirements for both formal training and practical, hands-on assessment, and the importance of every individual fully understanding their specific role within the control scheme.
Finally, you will understand the requirements for routine reviews of the written scheme, including formal review intervals dependent on risk, the requirement for a full risk assessment review every two years, and the specific circumstances that trigger an immediate review: significant changes to the water system, the system being implicated in an outbreak, or monitoring evidence indicating the control scheme is not providing effective control.
In addition to the three formal learning outcomes, the course covers the following topics drawn from the full qualification syllabus:
Individual roles, responsibilities and legal obligations under ACoP L8. Growth and multiplication of Legionella bacteria and interactions with other microbiological species. Factors affecting biofilm accumulation. Effectiveness of chemical and non-chemical treatment methods against Legionella and biofilm. Temperature control is a primary Legionella control method. Materials of construction, pipework installation and system design considerations. Water treatment, monitoring and commissioning of water systems. Design, operation, monitoring and maintenance of hot and cold water systems. Other water systems include spa pools, cooling towers, evaporative condensers and decorative fountains. Air conditioning system hygiene. HSE outbreak investigation procedures and routine compliance inspection approaches. Consequences of non-compliance and the full range of available enforcement actions.
This qualification is assessed by a learner workbook. Delegates provide short written responses to prescribed questions set by Highfield Qualifications, demonstrating knowledge and understanding across the breadth of the syllabus.
There is no multiple-choice exam. The workbook format requires delegates to articulate their understanding in their own words, the same way a Responsible Person must be able to explain their approach to an HSE inspector, a senior manager or a Duty Holder. It is a more meaningful measure of genuine competence than a tick-box assessment and produces stronger evidence of learning.
On successful completion, delegates receive a Highfield Qualifications certificate, verifiable at any time via Highfield's Checkcert platform at highfieldqualifications.com/checkcert. The qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, is regulated by Ofqual in England, and is also suitable for delivery in Wales under Qualifications Wales.
L8 Protection offers three modes of delivery to suit your operational requirements and geographic location. All modes are delivered by the same team of practising water hygiene specialists.
Open Classroom Training: Attend a scheduled course at one of our training venues. Ideal for individual delegates or small teams looking to train alongside professionals from other organisations and sectors.
On-Site Training at Your Premises: We come to you. On-site delivery is the most cost-effective option for groups of four or more delegates and allows training to be contextualised to your specific water systems, site layout and operational environment. Available throughout the UK.
Online Training via Microsoft Teams: Fully interactive, tutor-led remote delivery. All assessment materials are provided digitally. Ideal for geographically dispersed teams, multi-site organisations or where travel is not practical.
We recommend a maximum of 15 delegates per session to ensure sufficient time for discussion, questions and individual engagement with the material. Bespoke scheduling, multi-site programmes and combined training packages are available. Contact our training team to discuss your requirements.
Specialist expertise, not general instruction. Our tutors hold the Highfield Level 3 Award and bring years of hands-on operational experience in water system management, legionella risk assessment and HSE compliance. Every tutor is an active water hygiene professional; our training is a direct extension of our consultancy work, not separated from it.
Approved Highfield Qualifications centre. All certificates are issued by Highfield and are fully verifiable via the Checkcert system. Your qualification is backed by one of the UK's most recognised awarding bodies in compliance.
Nationwide delivery. We deliver training across England, Scotland and Wales, at your premises, at an external venue, or online via Teams. Wherever your team is based, we can reach you.
Post-course support included. We do not simply train you and walk away. L8 Protection offers a full range of supporting services to help you fulfil your Responsible Person duties from day one, including legionella risk assessments, written scheme development, water sampling and microbiological testing, remedial works, and ongoing compliance monitoring programmes.
Managing Legionella risk is a legal obligation. Ensure your Responsible Person has the qualification and knowledge to fulfil that role with confidence, and to evidence their competence to the HSE, your board and your insurers. Contact our Legionella control training team today to book your training course.
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Where water safety meets peace of mind.