COSHH LEV Testing

C.O.S.H.H. Inspection, maintenance and thorough testing of all LEV Systems. (TExT)

Auto Extract Systems maintain a team of dedicated Inspection Engineers trained specifically to test and service any system of Local Exhaust ventilation (LEV) supplied and installed by the company. In addition we can undertake similar work on other installations and equipment of a similar nature irrespective of its origin.

The current legislation regarding the testing of LEV systems (which includes vehicle exhaust, dust and weld fume extraction systems) may be summarised as follows:

Regulation 9 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 Act states that "every employer who provides any control measure to prevent exposure of an employee to a substance hazardous to health, shall ensure that it is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair" in addition, where engineering controls are provided, the employer shall ensure that thorough examinations and tests are carried out and a suitable record of these be kept and made available for at least 5 years.

In the case of local exhaust ventilation plant (LEV) the examinations and tests must be performed at least once every 14 months. (In certain circumstances this period is reduced to every 6 months e.g. where metallic dust is being controlled).

In recognising that this requirement places a substantial burden on most clients, since vehicle exhaust extraction, weld fume and dust extraction systems all fall within this category, AES Ltd offer to perform the statutory tests and inspections on the client's behalf. This offer extends to any item of LEV equipment supplied and or installed by AES Ltd. and may include any* other LEV system(s) (*Subject to acceptance by AES).

Each Test and Inspection includes:-

The setting up of an LEV record for each item of plant. Each record to contain all the necessary information required to comply with the regulation including:

Name and address of Employer responsible for plant.
Identification and location of LEV plant, process and hazardous substance controlled.
Date of last through examination and test.
Conditions at time of test.
Intended operating performance. Current performance. Repairs required to achieve intended performance.
Test methods employed.
Date of the examination and test.
Name, designation and employer of testing officer.
Authentication by testing officer.
Details of repairs carried out.

The performance of the necessary tests and inspections to complete the test record. A full visual inspection of the plant and equipment including a comparison with the original inventory. Minor adjustments and repairs to the plant which can be undertaken at the time of the inspection. (max. I hour allocated for this purpose) Subject to prior authorisation by client, any materials and spares used to be charged separately at prices ruling at that time.

In the event of a system being found to be inoperable, or in need of major rectification such that it cannot be tested, a full report to be submitted together with an estimate of the cost of refurbishment. On completion of the repair work by AES personnel a re-test to be performed at no additional charge.

All LEV systems need to be subject to commissioning to ensure that they are capable of meeting their design specifications. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 all control measures need to be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Maintenance procedures need to include information on: how frequently maintenance needs to be carried out for each component of the system, what maintenance tasks are necessary and how defects are to be detected and remedied, and who is to be responsible for the maintenance. The maintenance procedures should cover the full range of maintenance activities from simple visual checks to detect obvious defects, to major overhauls for preventative and remedial purposes. In addition to effective preventative maintenance, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 and other regulations contain statutory requirements for the undertaking of formal examination and testing of LEV systems. It may be prudent for these examinations to be carried out by persons not normally responsible for the system maintenance in order that an independent second opinion can be obtained. For effective examination and testing comprehensive information on the system and its design specification needs to be provided.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 require the thorough examination and testing of LEV systems at least once every 14 months.

Process	Frequency (Minimum)
Where blasting is carried out in or incidental to the cleaning of metal castings in connection with their manufacture	1 month
Jute cloth manufacture	1 month
Processes, other than wet processes, in which metal articles (other than gold, platinum or iridium) are ground, abraded or polished using mechanical power, in any room for more than 12 hours per week	6 months
Processes giving off dust or fume in which non-ferrous metal castings are produced	6 months

Click the link here to check the HSE Guidance http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk/assets/live/sr14.pdf

Group and individual site prices are available, for details of the cost of this service please complete the `Contact Us` form on the site.