Train toilets chlorinated in wake of legionella

GOVIA Thameslink Railway is working closely with the

Office of Rail & Road and has established an action plan after a small number of toilets on Class 700 units tested positive for legionella.

GTR says the traces were detected during tests which took place as part of ongoing risk assessments for the fleet. The process includes looking at appropriate controls and mitigation measures for bacteria such as legionella.

Steve White, GTR chief operating officer, said: “While it is extremely unlikely this would cause any harm to passengers or colleagues because of the low likelihood of transmission, our process is to straightaway lock the toilets out of use. The trains are subsequently taken out of service and the toilets completely drained, chlorinated and their tanks refilled.”

Precaution

The company added that all of its trains were being tested and chlorinated as a precaution and other parts of the vehicles were unaffected. GTR’s initial approach was described as “half-hearted and inadequate” by the RMT union, which declared a dispute, but the train operator said it was working closely with trade unions and health and safety representatives on all safety matters. As the bacteria is transmitted through inhalation of airborne droplets of water, the likelihood of infection is generally regarded as very low.