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Page last reviewed: 07/06/2005
Highlights
Legionnaires' Disease
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Legionnaires' Disease

It is estimated that in the United States there are between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease each year. Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial disease commonly associated with water-based aerosols that have originated from warm water sources. It is often associated with poorly maintained cooling towers and potable water systems.

There are currently no specific OSHA standards for Legionnaires' disease.

Standards

This section highlights OSHA Federal Registers (rules, proposed rules, and notices), directives (instructions for compliance officers), and national consensus standards related to Legionnaires' disease.

OSHA

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Federal Registers

  • Indoor Air Quality. Proposed Rules 59:15968-16039, (1994, April 5). Includes a provision that requires employers to implement controls for specific contaminants including Legionella and their sources.

  • Search all available Federal Registers.

Directives

  • OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20).
    • Legionnaires' Disease. Provides information to assist industrial hygienists in the assessment of work sites for potential Legionnaires' disease, disease recogntion, investigation procedures to identify probable water sources, and control strategies.
    • Legionnaires' Disease. eTool. Offers a graphical menu to assist in the assessment of worksites for potential Legionnaires' disease and provides information on disease recognition, investigation procedures, and control strategies.

  • Search all available directives.

National Consensus

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

  • 62-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, (2006). Sets minimum ventilation rates and other requirements for commercial and institutional buildings.

Hazards and Solutions

The likelihood of contracting Legionnaires' disease depends on the level of contamination in the water source, the susceptibility of the person exposed, and the intensity of exposure. The following references aid in recognizing and preventing hazards associated with Legionnaires' disease in the workplace.

Potential Hazards

Possible Solutions

Additional Information

Other Resources

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