How to Select the Right LEV System

• Your choice of LEV system must be based on a sufficient risk assessment of your workplace.
• Prepare a LEV specification before approaching suppliers. Include hazards, layout and performance needs.
• Get at least three quotes for the LEV system and insist that the supplier visit your site.
• LEV systems must be designed, installed and tested by competent people. This is a legal duty, not a choice.

A local exhaust ventilation system protects workers from harmful airborne contaminants. It captures dust, mist, vapour and fumes right at the source, preventing them from reaching workers and other parts of the site. This reduces the risk of health problems such as occupational asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic reactions and other respiratory issues caused by airborne contaminants.

LEV systems are essential in industries where hazardous substances, such as silica dust or welding fumes, are commonly present in the air.

A local exhaust ventilation system essentially works like a household vacuum:

• The hood captures dust, fumes, vapour and other harmful substances at the source
• The duct pulls the contaminated air into the system
• Filters clean the air inside the LEV
• A fan moves the air through the system to the exhaust stack
• The cleaned air is pushed out through an exhaust valve to a safe location

Selecting an LEV system starts with a proper risk assessment and a clear understanding of the hazardous substances present in your workplace.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers must prevent or control exposure to substances that can harm health, and LEV is often an effective control measure for doing so. However, to be effective, it must be exclusively designed, installed and used by competent people.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance HSG258 sets out what competence looks like across the full LEV lifecycle – identifying the problem, installing a suitable system and making sure it continues to work over time.

At every stage, the people involved must possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out their work safely.

Before considering any purchase, carry out a risk assessment to understand the hazards in your workplace.

Look at the tasks, substances and processes involved. Identify where workers may be exposed to airborne contaminants, such as dust, fumes, vapours or mists. Signs of exposure may include visible clouds, residues on surfaces, strong odours or reports of breathing issues.

The assessment should consider the effectiveness of current controls. In some cases, there may be no controls in place. In others, existing measures may be inadequate.

A proper risk assessment helps determine whether LEV is needed and what type of system would be most effective.

Once the need is established, you should develop a written LEV specification This document will help you choose a sourcing method and evaluate quotes. You should include the following:

• Work activities the LEV is for
• Number of workers involved
• Contaminants (type, form, volume)
• Specific sources of exposure, including relevant chemical or flammable properties
• Layout issues that will affect the LEV design, such as workspace size

If you’re not sure of any details, leave them out. Write a simple description of what you want the LEV to do, along with any other relevant information you have, and pass it over to a professional LEV specialist.

Next, decide how you’ll obtain the LEV system. There are three main options:

You can purchase a simple off-the-shelf unit for straightforward low-risk processes. These systems are ready-made, easy to install and cost-effective, but offer limited flexibility and protection.

If you have the technical capability, you can prototype your own system. This lets you build a custom setup and fine-tune it to your process.

You can commission a bespoke system designed by an LEV specialist. This is ideal for complex environments or high-risk substances, where tailored solutions are necessary for effective control.

It’s also the best course of action if you have any doubts around designing your own system or choosing one off-the-shelf.

The selection process works best when you involve those who understand the process and exposure points.

Talk to workers using the equipment, so they can highlight practical challenges.

If you bring in expert help, you’ll need to consult both a competent LEV designer and an LEV commissioner.

The LEV designer requires detailed information about your processes, the contaminants involved, and the working environment to create an effective system.

The LEV commissioner is responsible for installing the system and verifying that it performs as intended through proper testing.

Both roles are essential to ensuring the system is safe and effective from the outset. While one person may sometimes take on both roles, best practice is to engage separate individuals to maintain objectivity.

Choose your suppliers carefully. Start by asking for references, reviewing their past work and checking qualifications.

Invite at least three suppliers to quote and require that they visit your site. When reviewing quotes, ensure they respond directly to your written specification.

A good quote should include drawings, performance standards, hood types, process requirements, training provision, risks and installation plans. Quotes lacking this level of detail are unlikely to lead to effective systems.

The final step is choosing your supplier.

Avoid selecting based solely on the lowest price. Instead, assess which supplier offers the best value and demonstrates clear competence.

Do they understand your needs? Have they delivered similar systems before? Are they offering a solution that matches your requirements, backed by evidence and documentation?

Choosing the right supplier ensures that the LEV system will work effectively and protect workers.

Duty holders must understand how to manage LEV systems properly. Without the right knowledge, systems can fail, exposing workers to harm and breaking the law. Training helps duty holders meet COSHH duties, arrange maintenance, check performance and keep records.

We offer a comprehensive online training programme that explains legal requirements under COSHH and how to select the right LEV system and manage it correctly.

Enrol in our course to manage your LEV systems with confidence, protect your workforce and ensure legal compliance.