A Balancing Act: Managing Costs Without Compromising Water Hygiene
Businesses across the UK are under immense pressure to maintain exceptional safety standards while balancing budget and water hygiene. Moreover, increasing regulatory demands leave many asking: how can we keep employees and visitors safe without overspending?
Managing Costs Without Compromising Water Hygiene
Water hygiene is a critical part of this balancing act. Although maintaining compliance can feel like a costly burden, it is important to remember that a single oversight could lead to severe health risks, hefty fines, or reputational damage. However, the good news is that with smart strategies, businesses can prioritize safety and stay financially viable.
The High Cost of Neglect
Unfortunately, failure to address water hygiene risks can have devastating consequences and huge financial impact. Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks can result in significant medical expenses, legal liabilities, potential fines, and reputational damage to a business.
In 2024, authorities imposed two significant fines for serious failures in Legionella risk management:
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- A company received a £600,000 fine for neglecting Legionella control in the water systems at HMP Lincoln, which led to an inmate’s death.
- A supported housing association faced a £900,000 fine after a Legionella outbreak put residents’ lives at risk.
“Prevention is always cheaper than crisis management,” explains Dale Hunter, Technical Director at Irrigonics. “There are ways to invest smartly in water hygiene without breaking the bank.”
Top Tips for Savings
- Technology: On-line portals for compliance data capture can save time and money along with ensuring records meet the standards required by inspectors.
- Streamline Risk Assessments: Targeted risk assessments ensure you focus resources on high-risk areas while scaling back on low-risk services.
- Review Maintenance Contracts: Adjusting service schedules can help save money while ensuring compliance is achieved.
- Train Staff: Empowering maintenance teams through effective training reduces dependency on external contractors and can save money.
A Mindset Shift
“Cutting corners isn’t the answer,” emphasises Hunter. “It’s about working smarter, with a few changes to practices, businesses can ensure safety without overspending.
At Irrigonics Ltd, we’re committed to helping our customers to managing costs without compromising water hygiene and achieve this balance, delivering tailored solutions for safe and cost-effective water hygiene management.
Check out the link to our water hygiene services page.
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