Keeping an LEV Working Efficiently Means Regular Testing and Cleaning

Keeping an LEV Working Efficiently Means Regular Testing and Cleaning

Copyright (c) 2011 Alison WithersLocal Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Systems are used in work places to extract any substances from the air that could be harmful to the health of workers and can be found in industrial units, laboratories and factories among other places.They usually include an extraction hood or partial enclosure, filters, fan or fans and a ducting system to convey dust, particles, mists or chemical fumes and other pollutants away from the location where the production process is being carried out. A LEV can be designed for specific circumstances that depend on the substances they have to deal with as well as the size, position and shape of their source. The hood or enclosure should usually be as close to the source of the substance to be removed as possible and filters are then used to clean the air. LEVs use a number of different extraction methods, which include cyclones, fabric filters, wet collectors and electrostatic precipitators, while mists gases and vapours may be removed by chemical absorption, combustion or condensation. This all means that LEVs can be designed to fit the particular purpose and then need to be tested before being commissioned. It is very important that documents are kept detailing the structure and the specifications for efficient extraction. This is advised by the Health and Safety Executive in the UK because under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations LEV systems must be tested at least every 14 months and records of testing kept for at least five years. However, it would be sensible to test such parts as filters and hood and ducting seals, if any, more frequently since filters, for example, can become clogged and therefore ineffective. LEV cleaning must also be carried out regularly and because their design may be individual, anyone who examines, tests or then is brought in to clean them needs the information to ensure they are working efficiently and to ensure they are cleaned properly. Using the correct cleaning materials is obviously important, given the variety of substances that might be extracted. This is because greasy or waxy materials can clog fabric filters, flammable and explosive materials require special precautions, corrosive and highly oxidising substances will require special materials of construction and neutralising agents may be needed, and it may be that gas or vapour components will not be removed by the same methods as for particles. There are training courses available to ensure that anyone involved in testing and LEV cleaning and it plainly would be sensible for anyone carrying out this kind of work to have knowledge of the systems' construction and the different methods involved as well as the best ways for testing and cleaning them. A failure to carry out these exercises properly could land an employer in difficulty if any worker's health is affected as a result. It is sensible, therefore, that LEV cleans are carried out by specialist commercial cleaning companies with the expertise and the training in Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, COSHH regulations and specifically in LEV cleaning to be confident that the work is carried out properly and there is no risk to employees' health.

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