How local exhaust ventilation (LEV) assessments improve workplace safety

We get called out to conduct a large number of occupational health assessments each year, and in 99% of cases, the ventilation issues haven’t just surfaced overnight. They tend to creep in slowly, and unless you have your systems on a maintenance schedule, that change can be easy to miss.

Workers often don’t even notice the changes. They might open a few doors to clear the air, turn their head away from certain tasks, or break the job into shorter bursts. It keeps the work moving, but it also means the underlying issue of poor ventilation remains.

By the time it reaches your desk, it needs attention, fast. Calling in Air Matters for a local

exhaust ventilation assessment will help you understand whether there’s a problem, what

the extent of it is, and how it can be addressed.

Who needs LEV testing (and why)

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), businesses must manage the risks created by their work, which means eliminating exposure risks where possible, and

minimising them where it isn’t. Making sure your LEV system is working properly is one of the ways to stay on top of those responsibilities.

Any workplace that generates dust, fumes, vapours, or fine particles will rely on their

extraction system to keep its staff and environment protected. For that reason, we work

with clients across a wide range of industries, including engineering companies, food

processing sites, laboratories, and of course, plenty of manufacturing and workshop

operations.

For the people we work with, be it H&S managers, operations managers or workshop supervisors, the clarity that our assessments provide offers real peace of mind. Like all our services, we specialise in turning a potential headache into something you can understand and act on.

Routine ventilation assessments

Not every LEV assessment starts with a problem. Many businesses take the proactive

approach of having their systems checked annually as part of their wider occupational

hygiene assessments to make sure everything is performing as it should. Routine

assessments highlight areas to keep an eye on, and help you plan repairs or adjustments

before they become disruptive. It’s a good way to stay ahead of the curve, especially in busy organisations where unexpected downtime could come with high costs.

Signs your LEV system isn’t working well

When an LEV system starts to play up, it rarely happens with a single obvious fault. Instead, you tend to notice small changes in the way dust or fume behaves around certain tasks. These clues are useful, because they often point toward parts of the system that need attention. Some changes are subtle. Others are easier to spot.

A few common signs include:

● More dust settling on surfaces or changes in indoor air quality

● Fumes drifting sideways instead of being drawn into the hood

● Smells lingering longer than they should

● Workers mentioning irritation

● System louder than normal

● Extraction points that have been taped, moved, or adjusted

Not every sign points to a major fault, but they’re all worth checking out to see if they’re

symptomatic of a larger issue.

What’s involved in an LEV assessment

An LEV assessment is about understanding what’s happening on your site and what the

causes and solutions might be. We look at how the equipment is set up, how it’s being used, and how well it’s performing under operational conditions.

Usually, this will involve our team inspecting hoods, ducting, filters, and moving parts, and

taking airflow measurements to see whether the system is operating as expected. We’ll also check for blockages, wear, or inconsistencies between the extraction layout and the work being carried out.

The issue could be mechanical, or it could be the result of positioning or a certain process. Sometimes it’s a mix of all of the above. The aim is to give you a clear idea of what needs to be addressed, and what that involves.

Need help with occupational hygiene?

If something about your LEV system seems off, or if concerns have been raised and you’re not sure what to make of them, we can help. Tell us a bit about your site and the processes involved, and we’ll point you towards the assessment that makes the most sense.