LEV Testing

COSHH / LEV Testing Service / Inspection of LEV Plant
Under C.O.S.H.H. Regulation 2002 it is mandatory that LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) systems are tested within every 14 months to verify maintained efficiency. To enable you to ensure a safe working environment, Ritchie Machine Services are qualified with P601 to offer a full C.O.S.H.H. assessment of all LEV systems.

What defines an LEV System?
A system is defined as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) if it is used to control, capture or contain airborne contaminates such as dust or fumes, at, or close to the point of emission and then convey them to a point where they can be safely collected and filtered or released to atmosphere.

An effective LEV system should be well designed and constructed, properly used and maintained in good condition, with regular inspections.

How can Ritchie Machine Services help you?
With increasingly stringent legislation regarding the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (C.O.S.H.H) requires that employers have a legal obligation to protect their workers by controlling their exposure to process dust/fumes emitted in the workplace.
We ensure all surveys are carried out in accordance with the COSHH regulations 7 & 9, following Health & Safety guidance (HSG258).

The Local Exhaust Ventilation test is designed to determine the efficiency and integrity of an extraction system. It requires the engineer to gain quantitative measurements by using airflow instruments and qualitative assessments with smoke tests and a dust lamp. Engineers analyse these results and use invaluable experience to identify design flaws, defects and maintenance issues that might affect the performance of an LEV system.

Upon completion of onsite LEV testing a detailed report is produced that contains the findings of the survey and any comments and recommendations that are relevant, including remedial work required.

LEV testing should be carried out not less than once in a period of 14 months. Some systems require testing more frequently. Please see the table below.

Process	Minimum Frequency
Processes in which blasting is carried out in or incidental to the cleaning of metal castings in connection with their manufacture	1 Month
Jute cloth manufacture	1 Month
Processes, other than wet processes, in which metals (other than gold, platinum or iridium) are ground, abraded or polished using mechanical power, in any room for more than 12 hours a week	6 Months
Processes giving off dust or fume in which non-ferrous metal castings are produced	6 Months

Once the survey is complete and the test report issued you will be added to our database. A reminder will then be issued one month before the re-test date in order for you to plan the next examination.

Please contact our team to discuss your requirements.