Golf Ball Washers Legionella Risk: Are They Safe on UK Golf Courses?

A while ago here at the Dynamika blog, we posted an article about legionella at golf courses; covering irrigation systems at golfing greens, club house water facilities, and the hidden dangers of ignoring their maintenance.

But there’s one key piece of equipment at golf courses and driving ranges that we haven’t talked about yet…

Golf ball washers and club washers promise to clear away the debris from golf equipment; so players won’t have their shots spoiled by the aerodynamic drag of stray mud and grass.

Unfortunately, for golfing facility owners, they also come with their own risks for potentially deadly legionella growth and spread. Read on to learn more…

Legionella explained

As a quick recap, Legionella is the bacterium responsible for the potentially deadly Legionnaire’s disease.

It’s found naturally in rivers and streams, where the bacteria doesn’t pose much of a threat to health; but it can become a serious problem when it enters man-made water systems.

In stagnant water and temperatures of 20°C to 45°C, Legionella can quickly multiply and then spread through the air via aerosolised water droplets; potentially infecting anyone unlucky enough to breathe them in.

Legionella outbreaks are of course taken very seriously.

As part of the regulations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all businesses (including golfing facilities) must take reasonable steps to control the risks of legionella.

The Health and Safety Executive (or HSE) can inspect your workplace at any time to ensure your compliance with the regulations; with non-compliance punishable by major fines or even imprisonment.

Find out more at HSE Legionella regulations.

So, what makes golf ball washers and club washers a possible legionella risk area?