HSG282 Compliance for Holiday Let Hot Tubs

If you operate a holiday let, lodge, glamping site or any other commercial accommodation with a hot tub, HSG282 compliance isn't optional — it's a legal requirement. This guide explains what it means in practice.

What is HSG282?

HSG282 is the Health and Safety Executive's guidance document: "The Control of Legionella and Other Infectious Agents in Spa-Pool Systems." It sets out the legal duties of commercial hot tub operators under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).

In plain terms: if guests pay to use your hot tub (whether directly or as part of accommodation), you have a legal duty of care to ensure it is safe. HSG282 is the framework for meeting that duty.

Key requirements

Written risk assessment

You must carry out and document a Legionella risk assessment for each spa pool. This identifies the risks and the control measures in place.

Written scheme of control

A written management plan covering: water treatment procedures, testing frequencies, chemical dosing, drain and refill schedule, inspection intervals, and what to do if parameters are out of range.

Water testing frequency

HSG282 requires:

• Free chlorine and pH: minimum twice daily during commercial use
• Total dissolved solids (TDS) and combined chlorine: weekly
• Legionella culture testing: quarterly by an accredited laboratory

Drain, clean and disinfect

The spa pool must be fully drained, cleaned and disinfected at least every 12 weeks (3 months). More frequently if use is heavy or water quality is difficult to maintain.

Record keeping

All water test results, chemical additions, maintenance activities and any incidents must be recorded and retained for a minimum of 5 years.

Responsible person

You must nominate a competent responsible person for each spa pool — someone with sufficient training and knowledge to oversee the control scheme. This can be a contractor (like us).

Consequences of non-compliance

A Legionella outbreak at your property is a potentially life-threatening event. Beyond the human cost, the consequences include:

• HSE investigation and potential prosecution
• Unlimited fines and potential custodial sentences for serious cases
• Insurance claims being rejected if you were non-compliant
• Permanent reputational damage

How we help commercial operators

We provide full HSG282 compliance support for commercial hot tub operators across Lincolnshire and surrounding areas:

• Initial risk assessment and written scheme of control
• Scheduled service visits aligned to your turnover (weekly, fortnightly, monthly)
• Water testing and log books maintained
• Quarterly Legionella sampling coordination with accredited labs
• Documentation provided on request
• Emergency response for out-of-range readings

View our commercial services or contact us to discuss a compliance package for your property.