LEV Testing FAQs

A: Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems capture, contain and treat air contaminated with oil mist, fume, smoke and dust at source before it has an opportunity to escape into the wider working environment. LEV systems include a hood (or multiple hoods), ducting, a filter, a fan and a discharge mechanism.

A: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations state this is a legal requirement, however testing frequency varies depending on the application – some applications require testing as often as once a month. Full details can be found on page 85 of HSG258 ‘Controlling airborne contaminants at work A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV)’.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has extensive powers – it can prosecute companies if they fail to comply with improvement orders which can result in hefty fines. From a responsible employer’s point of view, it is common sense. The financial outlay of regular testing is minimal when compared to the fines that can be incurred through a HSE prosecution.

A: Employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 as follows:

In addition to fulfilling legal requirements, ensuring a clean, safe workplace also has a number of other benefits:

• It can help to attract and retain employees
• Help to lower cleaning bills
• Reduce hazards associated with a build-up of airborne particles such as dust and oil mist particles
• Increase productivity by reducing days lost to worker ill-health
• Help to maintain product quality

A: Filtermist engineers have visited lots of premises where an extraction system has been installed and effectively ‘that box has been ticked’, but there is no routine maintenance or testing in place to ensure it is performing as intended. This indicates there is still a lack of awareness regarding ongoing obligations under COSHH. The HSE sends out regular LEV ebulletins which contain a variety of information on LEV and COSHH compliance. Follow this link to sign up: www.hse.gov.uk

HSG258: Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV)

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A: In Filtermist’s experience, it is fairly evenly split between the requirement to comply with HSE regulations and complaints from employees. They start coughing and spluttering because they are breathing in contaminated air and it soon becomes apparent what the cause is.

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A: Regular airflow readings can identify any problems with the system’s performance. Blocked or saturated filters, or damaged ducting can impact on the extraction capability - meaning the system is less able to cope with the volume of air which needs cleaning. The test records the current reading as well as results from previous tests, or the original design requirement. The inspector can cross reference all of the data to ensure the system is operating as intended.

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A: Operator interference is one of the main issues Filtermist engineers encounter. Employees may switch off an extraction system to reduce noise levels, not realising the important role it has in protecting them from exposure to harmful contaminants. Filter condition is also a significant factor which is why it is important to undertake regular servicing – that way any issues with the filter can be identified before they start affecting the system’s performance.

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A: From the outside LEV Testing looks like quite a simple task, but if the person undertaking the test has a significant amount of industry experience they can sometimes spot other things which may be raised should the HSE pay you a visit. For example, whilst not strictly part of the LEV test, the ATEX directive states that explosion relief panels should be used in processes that generate highly explosive aluminium dust. Companies may think that by installing an LEV system they are adhering to COSHH regulations, but there are a number of other factors which should also be considered to ensure a clean and safe working environment.

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HSG258: Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV)

A: The HSE’s November 2020 LEV ebulletin focusses on this issue:

Competency is ‘….the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has, and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. Other factors, such as attitude and physical ability, can also affect someone’s competence.’

A: All of Filtermist’s LEV and Service Engineers have successfully undertaken the BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Association) P600 qualification ‘Methods for Testing the Performance of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’, and all LEV Engineers have completed P601 ‘Thorough Examination and Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’. A number of our team also hold P602 ‘Basic Design Principles of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’ and P604 ‘Performance Evaluation, Commissioning and Management of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems’ qualifications.

In addition to professional qualifications, Filtermist’s engineers have extensive industry experience – some of our colleagues have been employed in this field for more than 20 years.

A: The reports that Filtermist issues are legal documents which consist of the following:

• Full company details and date of test
• Details of the substance/process being controlled
• A photo of the LEV system being tested or a schematic drawing
• Test data including water gauge static pressure, velocity in m/sec and volume flow rate
• Readings from all extraction points
• Improvement recommendations
• Pass / fail
• Inspector’s statement of competency
• Safety policy
• Method statement
• Risk assessment
• Report observations
• Details of next recommended visit

NB: It’s important to remember that if HSE asks for a copy of the report, you must supply the whole document – not just the sheet with the test results as it won’t mean anything without the rest of the report.

A: The length of time it takes to carry out an LEV Test varies depending on factors including the accessibility of the system, and the type of installation it is. The first visit is always the longest as the Filtermist engineer will complete a risk assessment form, take photos of the systems that need testing and record all of the other details needed for the report. If nothing has changed in terms of the system set-up, the time it takes to carry out subsequent tests dramatically decreases.

A: No, LEV Testing does not normally interrupt production as most installations use extraction hoods. Filtermist engineers work around customers’ needs and we can schedule a weekend or evening service if there are any reasons why the testing can’t be carried out in normal working hours.

A: In Filtermist’s experience, cost can be a reason why people delay regular testing – some smaller companies think it’s an unnecessary cost which they can get away with not paying. However, when you look at the cost per employee it’s a relatively small price to pay to protect workers and stay within the law. For example, for a company with 20 LEV systems and 60 employees, LEV testing through Filtermist works out at just over £12.50 per employee, per year - just £1.04 per person, per month.

A: No. Filtermist’s dedicated LEV Engineers provide COSHH compliant testing for all makes and models of LEV equipment used to remove oil mist, dust, fume, smoke and VOCs from workplace air. All LEV systems operate in the same fundamental way and the equipment we use is suitable for all types of LEV system.

A: Regular LEV Testing is crucial for two reasons:

1. 1. To protect employees from the health risks associated with exposure to airborne contaminants
2. 2. To protect employers from HSE prosecution.