A Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system is a control measure used in workplaces to remove airborne contaminants before they can be inhaled by employees.

Many working environments constantly produce hazardous substances in the air, including:

• Metallic dust and coolant mists in metalworks
• Welding fumes from workshops
• Car exhausts and spray paint in garages
• Food dust in manufacturing plants and storage.

LEV equipment captures emissions at the source to protect the occupational hygiene of your workspaces. Without these systems, harmful substances can endanger the health and safety of your teams – from respiratory illnesses and asthma, to fatal lung diseases.

LEV systems capture hazardous substances at their source – such as dust, fumes or vapours – and either filter them out or remove them through ducting and fans.

Key components include the hood, ductwork, air cleaner, fan, and discharge point. Together, these help prevent exposure to substances hazardous to health.

A Thorough LEV Examination and Test is an assessment of your LEV systems against its original performance benchmarks and COSHH guidance. This determines whether your LEV equipment is operating safely and compliant with relevant regulations, and identifies any issues that must be resolved to achieve compliance.

Our engineer surveyors are fully certified and highly accomplished in the examination and testing of LEV and dust/fume extraction systems. As part of our LEV certification for businesses, we will:

• Visually examine your systems for any damage or defects, focusing on the hood, ducting, air cleaner, fan and discharge. points
• Run operational tests to confirm systems are working effectively and that airflow indicators are functional.
• Measure the face velocity of your fume hoods and the airflow across the system so it meets design criteria.

Local Exhaust Ventilation testing involves assessing the condition and performance of your dust and fume extraction systems to ensure they are controlling airborne contaminants effectively. This can range from a visual inspection to airflow measurement.

At the conclusion of LEV testing and inspections, we will supply a written report detailing what was tested and highlighting any potential faults or hazards.

LEV systems are inspected and tested under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. These regulations require employers to ensure that control measures like LEV are maintained and tested regularly to remain safe and effective.

COSHH is regulated by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and its guidelines state that duty holders must control substances that are hazardous to the health of employees in any working environment by:

• Identifying any potential health hazards.
• Carry out risk assessments to determine how to adequately control these hazards.
• Provide control measures to reduce risk of harm, such as LEV systems.

Breaching COSHH regulations is punishable by an unlimited fine, and can even result in prosecution if non-compliance results in a person’s harm or death.

Many types of materials and substances used or created in the workplace can harm your personnel. From dust and fumes, to liquids, gels and powders, harmful substances are everywhere and are potentially hazardous to people’s health.

By arranging regular, consistent LEV inspections in line with COSHH regulations, you minimise the risk of exposure to harmful substances and stay compliant with your legal requirements.

Common risks associated with faulty LEV systems include:

• Employees developing respiratory problems, skin issues and cancer.
• Workplace accidents such as fires, poisonings and explosions.
• Declines in productivity or performance due to poor work environments.
• Legal liability for injuries or death caused by noncompliant equipment.

Under HSE guidelines and COSHH ventilation requirements, LEV systems must be thoroughly tested and examined at least every 14 months.

In some high-risk environments, more frequent testing may be required based on occupational hygiene recommendations or internal risk assessments.

LEV systems should be inspected by a ‘competent person’. This is someone with expert knowledge and understanding of this equipment.

Allianz engineer surveyors are highly trained and operate in line with HSE guidance, ensuring impartial, certified assessments.

The cost of LEV testing depends on several factors, including the number of systems, their complexity, access requirements and site location. 

Allianz Engineering Inspection Services provides tailored quotes for single-site or multi-site testing for our customers.

If your LEV system fails a test or inspection, repairs or replacements should be performed as necessary. 

Following our inspection services, we will deliver a report with recommendations on how to resolve any problems and make sure your equipment is COSHH compliant.

Many working environments must comply with COSHH regulations, such as factories, quarries, mines, woodworking and plastics factories. However, there are also environments you may not know that must abide by COSHH, including:

• Hair and beauty salons
• Cleaning companies
• Healthcare environments
• Catering and hospitality
• Educational institutions
• Construction and building trades
• Agriculture and horticulture.

If you’re unsure if you require LEV inspections or testing, contact our professionals.