We have just finished a very heavy weekend of drain jetting, in heavy rain, a very very wet environment with most kinds of water in the surrounding environment & airborne.
Both of us came away from the works on Monday morning with a heavy cough and a rough chest.
I have since revised method statements to include airborne water particles and the inhalation of the said water and am doing ongoing research into the problems caused by our constant work environment. I have some concerns to the point that we may start using mouth & nose coverings (of some description).
Because of the nature of my work/s I am more concerned with Weils disease but the principles are the same, inhalation of water droplets.
The lining of the lungs can and does cope with some water but not at high saturations and the end result can and has killed people. I have seen all the things on inhaling vapours and E-cigs for pleasure & medicinal purposes and as I have said this is ongoing
I know I felt bad on Monday morning and it took a few days for the symptoms to wear off. This was enough for the revisions in my work practises.
I don't want to get into the argument about Legionella but I am a little more cautious than most and if I was using it every day I would be looking at a regular disinfectant programme.
In my works we are surrounded by saturated air, all day everyday - I would say to some degree so is WFP window cleaning but to a much lesser degree and you are not as on top of it as we are.
My method statements and risk assessments and my decisions to include certain criteria or not are for my piece of mind and hopefully show the client that I am doing all I can to minimise any risk.
Just because someone tells you it is ok that doesn't necessarily make it correct, make your own judgement and go from there.
The reality is that a defence of someone on a public forum told me it would be ok may not stand up in court.
Good luck
Rob
