The legionella outbreak in Barrow

In August 2002, 7 members of the public died and 180 people suffered ill health as a result of an outbreak of legionella at a council-owned arts and leisure facility in the town centre of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Following the court case, 2 public meetings were held to allow members of the public, and those affected, to learn more about the circumstances and the causes of the outbreak. The Barrow Legionnaires' Outbreak Public Meetings were held on 4 and 11 December 2006 at Abbey House Hotel, Barrow. They were chaired by former West Lancashire MP Colin Pickthall.

The purpose of the following report is to:

• record the content of those meetings
• allow others to learn what caused the outbreak and what changes have been made since
• allow dutyholders with similar responsibilities for controlling legionella to benefit from the findings of the investigation and be able to apply the recommendations identified as a result of the tragedy

The report explains both the technical steps, and the essentials of good health and safety management, that can make sure a similar tragedy never happens again.

Report of the public meetings into the legionella outbreak in Barrow-in-Furness, August 2002.