Hobarts offer a compliant solution to safeguard your employees' health and safety. P601 certified engineers will use advanced testing methods to ensure your LEV systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently. We can also arrange for other LEV equipment brands to be serviced as required, providing detailed test reports with recommendations, and recording filter conditions and replacements.
Local Exhaust ventilation (LEV) testing is a mandatory test regulated by the HSE which is applied to any equipment that is used to remove dust or fumes from the working environment, the test comes under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Law.
Local exhaust ventilation systems are vented extraction systems that remove contaminants from the air.
However, these contaminants can be either fumes, gases, dust, vapour, or even mist. Removing these from the air significantly increases the overall air quality in the workplace. In essence, this makes the air safer and reduce all the risks attached to contaminated air.
UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) COSHH Regulations 2002 stipulate your local exhaust ventilation (LEV) fume and dust extraction equipment must be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months by a competent engineer to help you protect the ongoing health and safety of employees and school/college students.
It applies to all types of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems and it covers all elements of the system, including flexible ducts, hoods, LEV monitors, pressure relief integrated systems, illuminators and airflow indicators.
LEV Test needs to be completed by trained and independently P601-qualified engineer.
When an LEV system is not functioning effectively, it can lead to serious health complications among employees. These include conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute pneumonia, asphyxiation, and even lung cancer.
It is, therefore, a legal obligation for employers, under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulation 9, to regularly test their fume extraction systems. This ensures that they are working efficiently and effectively.
Yes it is definitely needed in schools and colleges to keep the staff and students safe. Hobarts provides a comprehensive LEV inspection and testing service to guarantee adherence to COSHH regulations. Typical LEV systems utilised in Schools and Colleges encompass:
Prioritising employee and student health and safety is crucial in any workplace. Conducting regular LEV testing is essential to ensuring a safe environment by removing harmful fumes and dust. When LEV systems are ineffective, they can cause serious health problems, such as asthma, COPD, acute pneumonia, asphyxiation, and lung cancer.
Under COSHH Regulation 9, employers are legally required to regularly test their fume extraction systems to confirm they function efficiently. Ignoring this not only jeopardizes employee health but also invalidates health insurance related to malfunctioning extraction systems.
In summary, regular LEV testing is both a legal obligation and a crucial measure for protecting employee health and well-being as well as students in schools and colleges that use laser cutting equipment. Promoting education and awareness about LEV testing is vital for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Following the test, our engineers deliver a detailed report that outlines crucial measurements and observations, including velocity and pressure readings. The report also highlights any defects and comes with a certificate confirming whether your LEV system is safe for use.
Should your LEV system fail the test, prompt remedial actions are required to meet HSE standards. These actions can vary from making minor adjustments to replacing parts or, in severe cases, the entire system. Consistent servicing and upkeep can enable your system to successfully pass the annual LEV test without complications.
If you need further information on Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) more can be found on the HSE website here.