What Is LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) Testing?

Control Gear’s Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Testing Service is designed to provide you with peace of mind, knowing your LEV systems are operating effectively and keeping your workplace safe from harmful airborne contaminants.

Protect your work environment and ensure compliance with the highest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards.

Comprehensive LEV Systems Testing for Manufacturing Industries

Our expert team offers thorough examination and testing of all types of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems, irrespective of design or manufacture.

We also install and commission new systems and repair existing ones. Our services are critical for businesses in the manufacturing sector looking to adhere to COSHH regulations and maintain a clean, safe working environment.

A Quick and Expert Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing

LEV Testing is a Legal Requirement

To comply with COSHH, LEV systems for dust extraction or fume extraction must be well-maintained and tested every 14 months, ensuring they effectively protect worker health and safety by reducing contaminants to as low a level as reasonably practicable (ALARP) in industrial settings.

COSHH Regulation 9

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations aim to protect workers from health hazards (e.g., Occupational Lung Disease) posed by exposure to airborne contaminants and hazardous substances (e.g., welding fumes, oil mist) at work.

Employers are required to assess risks and control exposure, with Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems being crucial for removing contaminants.

Documentation and Compliance Records

LEV Testing is a legal requirement to adhere to COSHH regulations. Employers must also maintain detailed documentation to ensure compliance and personnel safety.

• LEV Testing Reports: These documents, issued after professional LEV system tests, assess system performance against design standards, note deficiencies, and suggest corrective actions.
  
• Risk Assessments: These outline the risks from hazardous substances and how LEV systems reduce exposure. They should list used substances, work nature, number of exposed workers, exposure duration, and LEV efficiency.
  
• Maintenance Records: A log of all LEV system maintenance, including checks, repairs, and replacements, to ensure it works well and efficiently.
  
• Training Records: Details of employee training on using the LEV system, understanding hazardous substance risks, and the importance of reporting LEV issues.
  
• Exposure Monitoring Records: If relevant, these show exposure levels to hazardous substances, proving LEV effectiveness in keeping exposure within legal limits.
  

The findings and recommendations from LEV inspections must be documented and kept for a minimum of 5 years, as required by the HSE.

Why Choose Control Gear for LEV Testing?

Expert Insight

Our detailed reports identify any system failures and recommend corrective actions to ensure your LEV equipment operates at optimal levels.

Skilled Engineers

We guarantee a reliable network of professionals ready to conduct tests with minimal disruption to operations.

Regulation Compliance

All testing adheres strictly to the Health & Safety Executive’s Guidance HSG258, ensuring your business complies with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH regulations.

Unmatched Product Range

Established in 1973, Control Gear Group has grown into one of the largest independent Fluid Power companies in the UK. Our portfolio offers an unrivalled selection of quality products, ensuring you have access to the best solutions available.

Comprehensive Service Capability

Our technical and service capabilities set us apart in the marketplace. With decades of experience, we provide expert advice, top-notch maintenance, and reliable support for all your LEV needs.

Industry Leadership

Our long-standing history and commitment to advancing LEV technology through excellence in the design of new local exhaust ventilation systems make us leaders in the industry.

Our LEV Test Procedure

• Full System Inspection: Comprehensive review of smoke and dust extraction units that you currently have, including duct airflow measurements and hood capture velocities.
  
• Guidance on Effective Operation: Advice on adjusting your equipment for maximum efficiency and safety.
  
• Certified Engineers: Our team is trained to assess and test all makes and designs of LEV systems, ensuring thorough compliance with HSE regulations.
  

What Does LEV Testing Involve?

Key focus points are outlined below:

• Initial Assessment: Check system design and performance against specifications.
  
• Visual Inspection: Examine the physical condition of all components (hoods, ducts, filters).
  
• Airflow Measurements: Verify that airflow rates meet recommended levels.
  
• Examination of Capture Points: Ensure contaminants are effectively captured at the source.
  
• Filter Inspection: Check filters for integrity and contamination levels.
  
• System Performance Tests: Use smoke tubes or similar methods to visualise airflow and contaminant capture.
  
• Review Control Measures: Assess whether current controls are sufficient or if improvements are needed.
  
• Documentation and Reporting: Record findings, including any deficiencies or recommendations for improvement.
  
• Action Plan Development: Based on the findings, recommend the best course of action to address any identified issues.
  

Testing is a legal requirement for workplaces that use LEV systems to control exposure to harmful substances, as stipulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the guidance HSG258 ‘Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work’.LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation).

The HSE’s rigorous approach to LEV testing has led to increasingly stringent guidelines to manage and control the exposure to hazardous substances, reinforcing the importance of having a competent person conduct these critical inspections.

Ensuring Your Compliance

Control Gear guarantees LEV testing by a competent person. A qualified LEV inspector is required to perform thorough inspections at least every 14 months to comply with the HSE’s standards and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

Ready to Schedule Your LEV Testing?

Contact Control Gear today to arrange your comprehensive LEV testing service. Our dedicated team is on hand to assist you with minimal disruption to your productivity and extend the effective operation range of your equipment.

Contact us today if you need LEV testing

Control Gear – Keeping Your Air Clean and Your Operations Safe