Local Exhaust Ventilation.REGULATIONS
Local Exhaust Ventilation Regulations (LEV).
In the context of COSHH, it is an engineering control system designed to protect workers from hazardous airborne substances—like dust, mist, fumes, vapor, or gas—by capturing them at the source before they can be inhaled
How an LEV System Works
Unlike general ventilation (like an open window or a ceiling fan that just moves air around), LEV is a "point-of-source" solution. A typical system consists of four main parts:
- The Hood: Where the contaminant is captured.
- Ducting: The "pipes" that carry the contaminated air away.
- The Air Cleaner/Filter: Removes the hazardous particles from the air.
- The Fan & Discharge: The motor that moves the air and the vent that exhausts clean air (usually to the outside).
Why LEV is Important
Under the COSHH regulations, if you cannot eliminate a hazardous substance or substitute it for a safer one, you are often legally required to provide engineering controls like LEV. Common examples include:
- Solder fumes in electronics assembly.
- Wood dust in a carpentry workshop.
- Vehicle exhaust in a garage or MOT center.
- Flour dust in large-scale bakeries.
Testing and Maintenance (TExT)
Just like the elevator and forklift in your previous questions, LEV systems are subject to strict legal inspections.
Under COSHH, most LEV systems must be Thoroughly Examined and Tested (TExT) at least once every 14 months by a competent person. This ensures the airflow is still strong enough to actually "suck" the hazards away from the worker's breathing zone.