Industrial Dust Control
Design – Manufacture – Installation – Service – Spares
Industrial Dust Control
Design – Manufacture – Installation – Service – Spares
Under COSHH regulations, businesses are required to arrange a thorough examination and test of their Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems at least once every 14 months. While that’s the legal minimum, at Pennaire Filtration we recommend a more proactive approach: LEV testing every 12 months combined with routine inspections every six months. Here’s why going beyond the baseline can save you time, money and a whole lot of trouble.
LEV systems work hard. They’re running day in, day out, pulling contaminated air away from workers and filtering out dust, fumes and hazardous particles. Over time, wear and tear is inevitable. Filters become clogged, seals deteriorate, ductwork develops leaks and airflow performance gradually declines. The trouble is, these changes often happen slowly – and by the time they’re obvious, the problem has already escalated.
Six-monthly inspections act as an early warning system. Our BOHS P601-certified engineers conduct visual checks of extraction points, assess filter condition, inspect ductwork for damage or blockages, and look for any signs that the system isn’t performing as it should. These inspections don’t involve the full suite of airflow measurements and performance testing that come with an annual LEV test, but they’re incredibly effective at spotting issues while they’re still small and manageable.
That means you can schedule repairs at a time that suits your operation, order replacement parts in advance, and avoid the cost and disruption of an unexpected system failure. It’s preventive maintenance in action – and it can make a real difference to how reliably your LEV system performs over its lifetime.
While COSHH requires LEV testing every 14 months, moving to a 12-month cycle provides an additional margin of safety. It ensures you’re never cutting it close to the deadline and reduces the risk of accidentally falling out of compliance if an inspection date gets missed or delayed. More importantly, it demonstrates to regulators and auditors that you’re taking your legal obligations seriously and prioritising worker safety.
At the heart of all this is worker health. Dust, fumes and airborne particles aren’t just an inconvenience – they’re a serious occupational health hazard. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory conditions, skin complaints and other life-changing illnesses. Your LEV system is the primary line of defence against these risks, so making sure it’s functioning properly isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about protecting your team too.
A system that’s only checked every 14 months could be underperforming for months before anyone notices. Regular six-monthly inspections ensure that any drop in extraction efficiency is identified quickly, so your team isn’t unknowingly exposed to higher levels of airborne contaminants than they should be.
At Pennaire Filtration, our LEV testing and inspection services are delivered by BOHS P601-certified engineers with over 20 years of experience in industrial air quality. We provide comprehensive annual LEV tests that include visual inspections, airflow measurements, filter assessments and detailed compliance reporting against COSHH and HSE HSG258 guidelines. Between those tests, our six-monthly inspections keep your systems under close watch, catching issues early and helping you maintain safe, efficient operation all year round.
Whether you need to set up a regular testing and inspection schedule, require emergency support, or simply want advice on maintaining your LEV systems, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team at sales@pennairefiltration.com or call 01928 723577 to discuss your requirements.
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