COSHH / LEV guide

LEV routine checks versus thorough examination and test

Local exhaust ventilation, or LEV, should be checked during ordinary use, maintained to keep it effective, and periodically thoroughly examined and tested by a competent person. These are different controls. HSE says LEV normally needs a thorough examination and test, known as a TExT, at least every 14 months. Some processes require it more often, and the report should be kept for at least five years.

An in-date test label does not show that a duct was not crushed yesterday, that a hood is positioned correctly today, or that extraction still captures dust during the actual task. HSE says to judge LEV performance by effective capture, not airflow measurements alone. HSE: LEV FAQs; HSE: welding LEV maintenance and testing.

The four evidence layers

Commissioning: what the designed system should achieve for the task, and the conditions in which that was demonstrated. Routine user checks: whether the system appears ready and is being used correctly before and during work. Maintenance and repair: what was cleaned, changed, adjusted or fixed to preserve performance. Thorough examination and test: competent periodic assessment of condition and performance against the intended baseline. One layer cannot substitute for another. A service invoice does not equal a TExT, a TExT report does not excuse daily misuse, and commissioning data do not prove current condition. HSE: commissioning LEV.

What should users check before and during work?

The exact checklist comes from the system manual, task and risk assessment. HSE recommends daily pre-use checks and visual inspection of ducting, fan and filter condition so damage is identified early, and that workers know the signs of poor extraction and report them. Prompts may include: is the extractor connected and on; are hoods, ducts, hoses and filters visibly intact; is an airflow indicator showing the expected state; is the hood positioned where the task requires; has the workpiece or method changed since the LEV was selected? Some contaminants are not readily visible. HSE notes TIG welding may produce little visible fume, so a worker should not conclude exposure is controlled merely because the air looks clean. HSE: LEV G406.

Maintenance keeps the control working between tests

Filters load, hoses split, ducts leak, fans wear and operators move hoods. Control measures must be maintained in an efficient state, working order, good repair and clean condition. The maintenance record should identify the asset, fault, work done, parts changed, person responsible and checks before returning to use. Cleaning and filter changes can expose the maintainer to trapped hazardous material, so the task needs its own safe method, isolation and disposal. Do not let an untrained person open a contaminated unit to meet a calendar date. Maintenance restores function; a TExT asks whether the system as a whole meets its intended performance.

What the thorough examination and test should answer

The TExT is a systematic check by a competent person of whether the LEV still works as intended and contributes to adequate control. Depending on the system, it covers examination of condition, airflow or pressure measurements, capture assessment, comparison with commissioning data and review of defects. Do not reduce it to a sticker: ask the examiner what contaminant and process the system controls, what baseline they used, and what the measurements mean. HSE’s FAQ says on-tool extraction is a form of LEV and that the extraction unit needs TExT, while other parts are covered by maintenance checks. HSE: HSG258 LEV guide.

Set the interval correctly and respond to failures

For most LEV systems the maximum time between TExTs is 14 months; HSG258 identifies exceptions with shorter intervals, and risk or deterioration may justify more frequent testing. Track the last TExT date, next due date and any earlier trigger from a defect, alteration or process change. Changing any part of the system or what it is used for may mean the whole system needs recommissioning. When a user notices poor capture, damage or a failed indicator, stop or change the affected process so people are not exposed without adequate control; do not simply tell workers to wear a mask and continue. Read the examiner’s actual findings, distinguishing a critical defect from an improvement recommendation, not just “pass” or “fail”, and verify performance is restored after repair.

FAQs

Is an LEV TExT due every year?

For most systems HSE describes a maximum interval of 14 months, with shorter intervals for some processes and potentially more frequent testing where conditions warrant it. An organisation may choose an annual policy, but that should be described as policy, not the universal legal wording.

How long should we keep the report?

HSE says keep TExT reports for at least five years. Information that shows the installed system was designed or commissioned to provide adequate protection should be kept for the life of the equipment.

Does on-tool dust extraction count as LEV?

Yes. HSE's FAQ specifically addresses on-tool extraction and says its extraction unit needs TExT at least every 14 months, while other items are covered by maintenance checks. Confirm the unit and task, and follow competent advice if another specific regime applies.

Can software tell us that extraction is effective?

A platform can hold the report, date, asset and actions. It cannot observe capture at a hood, measure airflow or replace a competent examiner. Verify the exact current product fields before claiming a dedicated LEV workflow.

Where Complys fits

Complys can track LEV test reports, review dates and remedial actions alongside COSHH records. It cannot observe capture at a hood, measure airflow, diagnose faults or replace commissioning and examination. Competent people must verify the system’s actual capture and safe use.

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