As part of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ‘Protecting People and Places’ strategy, their aim is to reduce work-related ill-health, with a priority of tackling occupational lung disease, which accounts for around 11,000 deaths annually.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is often used as a means for preventing exposure to contaminants in the workplace air. It works by extracting clouds of gas, vapour, dust, fume and mist at source to prevent people breathing them in.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, LEV systems need to be examined to ensure that exposure to substances in the workplace, that cause ill-health are adequately controlled.
To help employers manage their legal duties, the HSE has recently launched a new website on the Commissioning of LEV Systems.
The commissioning of LEV is a crucial part of controlling the risks from exposure, as it:
- ensures that there is adequate control from day one
- proves that the system is providing adequate control
- provides a benchmark for later regular examinations and tests
To demonstrate legal compliance, the commissioning report should include the following information:
- date of the test
- duty holder’s name and address
- commissioner’s name, job title and employer
- signature of the commissioner
Employers are also responsible for ensuring the commissioner has demonstrated impartiality and competency.
It should be noted that the commissioning of LEV is simply the initial phase of process, and other legal duties also need to be met, including:
- Ongoing testing and maintenance: Existing systems must still undergo a thorough examination and test at least every 14 months. Some systems may require more frequent checks depending on usage.
- Record keeping: Employers must keep records of the thorough examination and test for at least five years. Information on the installed system should be kept for the life of the equipment.
- Risk assessment: Employers are responsible for conducting risk assessments and ensuring LEV systems are part of a comprehensive plan to control hazardous substances (under COSHH) and other risks such as noise or fire.
- Training: Employees should be provided with appropriate training on the correct use of the LEV system and how to identify signs of malfunction.
If you need any advice about how you can support your employees, please email tcms@thomas-carroll.co.uk and our team will be happy to help.
