WATER SAFETY: Management Training

This course is aimed at those responsible for managing new build projects/development or the refurbishment of existing buildings, from the concept and design stage through to completion.

What’s this course about?

Water safety has evolved significantly. While the focus was once primarily on Legionnaires’ Disease and the role of the Responsible Person, today’s projects bring wider risks, shared responsibilities, and increasing scrutiny.

With modern developments and complex facilities, there have been high-profile cases where poor design, construction, or handover processes have led to serious harm. Despite this, guidance around managing water safety across the full project lifecycle remains limited.

This course is designed to bridge that gap.

It provides a practical, structured introduction to managing water safety in new and refurbished developments, helping delegates understand how to embed good practice from design through to operation. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to contribute to safer, compliant water systems and avoid common pitfalls seen across the industry.

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for anyone involved in the planning, delivery, or oversight of construction and refurbishment projects where water systems are a consideration.

This includes:

• Project Managers
• Responsible Persons (RP)
• Authorised Persons (AP)
• Contractors and Designers
• Estates and Facilities teams
• Key stakeholders involved in project delivery
  
  

Whether working on large-scale developments or smaller projects, this course provides a solid foundation in water safety and the standards required to achieve compliance.

Do I need any prior knowledge?

No formal prior knowledge is required. However, the course is best suited to those with some exposure to water systems or project environments. For those new to the subject, we recommend reviewing key introductory materials on:

• Waterborne pathogens
• Roles and responsibilities (RP, AP, etc.)
• Water Safety Groups
• Infection control principles
• Water hygiene fundamentals
  
  

To support learning, delegates will complete short knowledge assessments before and after each module to track progress and reinforce understanding.

What will you learn?

By the end of the course, delegates will have a clear understanding of:

• The fundamentals of water safety, including biological, chemical, physical, and radiological risks
  
  
• The importance of hazard identification and risk assessment in project environments
  
  
• Key legislation and guidance, including ACOP L8, HSG274 and HTM 04-01
  
  
• Lessons learned from real-world outbreaks and prosecutions
  
  
• The principles of Water Safety Plans and how they apply to projects
  
  
• The role and value of Project Water Safety Groups (PWSG) in managing risk collaboratively
  
  
• How to develop and structure a Project Water Safety Plan (PWSP)
  
  
• The importance of competency across all roles involved in a project
  
  
• Applying ALARP principles to design and decision-making
  
  
• The benefits of a soft landings approach to ensure continuity from construction through to operation
  
  

Topics covered on the course will include:

Module 1:

• Understanding of waterborne pathogens and their risk
• Who are the most susceptible to waterborne pathogens
• What factors exist for the ‘risk of pathogens/bacteria’ to be present
• Examples of control strategies for managing waterborne pathogens
• Other hazards that can create harm
  
  

• Applicable Health and Safety Regulations
• The key management requirements from the ACOP L8
• Applicable guidance & best practice documents
• The key aspects of operational management
• Guidance applicable to high-risk patients
• Deaths occurring from water safety-related incidents and outbreaks
  
  

• Understanding of a Project Water Safety Plan [PWSP]
• Role and purpose of Project Water Safety Group [PWSG]
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Materials and Components
• Competency of contractors
• Commissioning - methods and standards
• Handover and soft landings

Course Details:

*Whilst this course does incorporate certain healthcare elements, including guidance documents such as the Health Technical Memorandum [HTM], it offers valuable content that can benefit all sectors.  The knowledge and skills imparted in this course can be applied universally.

Course Cancellations & Refunds

There are occasions when delegates may need to change their course booking.  We are able to support changes on the following basis:

1) Change of date: When a delegate has communicated with us they are unable to attend a course we can transfer them to another course at a later date.  Only one date change is allowed.

2) Delegate Cancellations:  - these are time sensitive:

1. Cancellation requests made before the 14 days preceding the course, options include:
   1. Transfer to another course at a later date.  Only one date change is allowed.
   2. Reallocation of their reservation to another person / colleague.
   3. Refund when payment has been received.  Credit note if invoice issued and payment has not been received.
2. Cancellations received within the 14 days preceding the course will be assessed on individual basis, typically refunds are not given. 
   
   
3. Course Cancellations: In the unlikely event we need to cancel the course we shall ensure all delegates are transferred on to another course at a later date.
   
   
4. Delegate No show: Leading up to the course date we communicate with each delegate via email and issue a Teams invite for the course.  On the morning of the training we complete a registration process, when a delegate has not shown up we will make efforts to connect with them to check they are attending.  When we are not able to connect with them they will be removed from the course.  Depending on personal circumstances we may allow them to transfer to another course at a later date.

Equality of Access
At the Water Hygiene Centre, we are committed to making our training courses accessible to all delegates. If you require any additional support,  such as specialist training materials or tailored assistance, please let us know so we can ensure full participation. For any questions or to request assistance, contact our team at 01993 840400 or help@waterhygienecentre.com, and we’ll be happy to help.

Do you want to learn more about Legionella training? Read our full "Legionella training courses guide" >