It is often one of the most important pieces of equipment in a workplace, yet one of the easiest to forget about.
Hidden above production lines, tucked away in workshops, running quietly in the background of laboratories and factories, Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems work every day to remove harmful dusts, fumes and airborne contaminants before they reach your employees.
The problem is that because these systems are often out of sight, they can quickly become out of mind.
At AW Safety, we regularly visit businesses that have invested in LEV systems to protect their workforce, only to discover that the systems have not been tested for years, maintenance records are incomplete, or no one is certain when the last Thorough Examination and Test was carried out.
The reality is simple: if your LEV system is not being properly maintained and tested, you cannot be sure it is protecting your people.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is an engineering control designed to capture harmful airborne substances at source before employees can inhale them.
These systems are commonly found in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, woodworking, automotive, pharmaceuticals and laboratories.
Examples include:
For many businesses, LEV is one of the primary safeguards standing between employees and long-term exposure to hazardous substances.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that exposure to hazardous substances is adequately controlled.
Where LEV is relied upon as a control measure, employers must ensure that:
Failure to meet these obligations can lead to enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices, Fee for Intervention (FFI) charges and, in more serious cases, prosecution.
One of the biggest misconceptions about LEV systems is that if they appear to be working, they must be working effectively.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Over time, performance can gradually deteriorate due to:
The system may still be running, but it may no longer be providing the level of protection your employees need.
This becomes particularly important where workers are exposed to:
Without regular testing, there is no reliable way to demonstrate that exposure is being adequately controlled.
A competent LEV engineer will assess both the condition and performance of the system, including:
The resulting report provides documented evidence that your business is meeting its legal obligations and maintaining effective control measures.
Ask yourself:
If you’re unsure of any of these answers, it may be time to review your arrangements.
Managing LEV compliance does not need to be complicated.
AW Safety provides a complete LEV management service, including:
Our specialists work alongside businesses to ensure systems remain compliant, effective and capable of providing the protection employees rely on every day.
LEV systems are designed to protect health, but only if they are maintained, tested and operating as intended.
If you’re unsure whether your LEV arrangements are compliant, or you would simply like an independent review of your current systems, our team is here to help.
Get in touch with AW Safety today and speak with one of our compliance specialists.
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