The Health and Safety Executive has served a Prohibition Notice on a South Tyneside company as part of an ongoing investigation into an outbreak of Legionnaires disease.
The Prohibition Notice stops the operation of four cooling towers at Faltec Ltd site in Boldon where four employees and a nearby resident have been infected by legionella bacteria.
Sampling of the water systems has identified the presence of significant quantities of the legionella bacteria.
The company has locked off the cooling towers and carried out disinfection and control procedures. The cooling towers will not be allowed to be brought back into operation until the company have satisfied HSE that the risks from exposure to legionella bacteria are being adequately controlled.
An Improvement Notice has also been served on the company requiring them to improve the management of their water systems at the site in relation to the legionella risk.