The dangers of airborne contaminants in the workplace
Every year thousands of people across the UK die as a result of breathing in harmful dust and fumes at work. Common conditions include asthma, lung scarring and cancer. A common way businesses can reduce these risks is to control such airborne contaminants by using a properly designed, maintained and operated local exhaust ventilation system.
What is Local Exhaust Ventilation or LEV?
Local Exhaust Ventilation or LEV describes a special mechanical ventilation system used in the workplace that is designed to carefully remove harmful dust, mist, fumes, gas and other airborne contaminants from the air to reduce exposure and protect the health and safety of workers.
What is the law covering LEV?
In the UK it is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that employee exposure to airborne contaminants in the workplace is reduced to levels as low as is reasonably practicable.
The employers’ legal responsibilities are dealt with under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR). The Health & Safety Executive also publish a comprehensive guidance document HSG258 “Controlling airborne contaminants at work, A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV)”. HSG258 provides guidance for employers and their employees, LEV designers, installers and examiners and describes the principles and good practice of selecting, designing, commissioning and testing LEV systems.
How often do I need to test Local Exhaust Ventilation systems?
Under the COSHH Regulations employers who use Local Exhaust Ventilation systems to control hazardous substances, must ensure that the system is operating effectively. To do this the employer should carry out regular and detailed inspections and testing of the system.
The maximum time between tests of most LEV systems is 14 months although some higher risk systems will require more frequent testing. However, if wear and tear has reduced the effectiveness of the system then the test and inspection frequency should be increased. It is also a recommendation of the HSE that regular reviews of the systems of work be carried out.
What does LEV testing involve?
Our LEV examination and testing procedures are performed by suitably competent assessors using the latest high performance analysis equipment including Pitot tubes, smoke generators, dust lamps, anemometers and air sampling equipment.
We also offer a comprehensive range of laboratory testing and analysis services to support our specialist in-field operations.
Our detailed LEV testing assessments follow the requirements identified by the HSE in HSG258 and comprise three distinct stages as follows: