The Importance of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Systems

Contaminants and dust in the workplace cause thousands of fatalities every year. It is one of the reasons local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems are installed as they help in maintaining control of hazardous substances to create a safer work environment. These systems ensure that exposure levels fall within the range of Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) because protecting the workforce is priority.

Failing to maintain your local exhaust ventilation systems in proper working order means that you are exposing your employees to excess levels of hazardous substances. Put simply, it means you are violating the law. Therefore, it is essential for every business to maintain all local exhaust ventilation systems to the highest standard. Daily checks should be conducted on the system’s integrity as well as its performance. Where necessary, you should empty collection bins. The findings of the daily checks also need to be recorded.

If the readings are high, they should be reported to the maintenance team. They will check the condition of the local exhaust ventilation system and change/clean filters where required. Any other faults or breakdown in the local exhaust ventilation system should also be repaired immediately. Other than that, you should also ensure that your employees are aware of how to use the local exhaust ventilation system. This helps in ensuring that they are not exposed to hazardous substances, which are being maintained at a reasonable level. It is also mandatory to get these systems tested at least every 14 months to confirm they are working perfectly.