Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

LEV Testing

Compare quotes for local exhaust ventilation testing from accredited UK providers. Extraction systems, fume cupboards, dust control and spray booths. Required every 14 months.

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What LEV Testing Covers

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is an engineering control system designed to reduce worker exposure to airborne contaminants such as dust, fumes, vapours and gases. LEV systems work by capturing contaminated air at or near the source and removing it from the breathing zone before workers can inhale it.

Under Regulation 9 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), employers must ensure that any LEV system provided to control exposure is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, in good repair and in a clean condition. The system must also be thoroughly examined and tested at intervals not exceeding 14 months.

The thorough examination and test goes beyond a simple visual check. It includes quantitative measurements of airflow, static pressure and capture velocity to verify that the system is performing as designed and providing adequate control of exposure.

Who Needs LEV Testing?

Any workplace that uses LEV to control exposure to hazardous substances must have those systems tested. This covers a remarkably wide range of industries and processes.

Woodworking and furniture manufacturing

Laboratories and research facilities

Welding and metal fabrication

Automotive paint and body shops

Bakeries and food processing

Pharmaceutical manufacturing

Dental and veterinary practices

Printing and packaging

Systems Requiring Testing

The standard interval for LEV testing is every 14 months under COSHH. Some specific processes have shorter intervals set out in COSHH Schedule 4. All LEV systems that control exposure to hazardous substances must be tested.

Woodworking dust extraction systemsEvery 14 months

Laboratory fume cupboardsEvery 14 months

Welding fume extraction (fixed and portable)Every 14 months

Spray booths (paint, powder coating)Every 14 months

Solvent extraction systemsEvery 14 months

Bakery dust extractionEvery 14 months

Pharmaceutical extraction systemsEvery 14 months

General industrial dust collectorsEvery 14 months

Dental and medical suction systemsEvery 14 months

Health Protection Requirement

Occupational lung disease remains one of the leading causes of work-related ill health in the UK. Conditions such as occupational asthma, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are caused by inadequate control of airborne contaminants. Regular LEV testing is not merely a regulatory formality — it directly protects the long-term health of your workforce. The HSE prioritises LEV compliance in its inspection campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LEV testing?+

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) testing is a thorough examination and test of extraction systems designed to capture airborne contaminants (dust, fumes, vapours, gases) at or near the point of generation. The test measures whether the system is performing adequately to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances. It is required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

How often must LEV systems be tested?+

COSHH Regulation 9 requires that LEV systems are thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months. Some specific processes have shorter intervals defined in COSHH Schedule 4 — for example, processes involving certain lead compounds require testing every 6 months. The 14-month interval (rather than 12 months) allows some flexibility in scheduling but must not be exceeded.

Who can carry out LEV testing?+

LEV testing must be carried out by a competent person with sufficient knowledge, experience and access to appropriate test equipment. This is typically a specialist LEV engineer from an occupational hygiene consultancy or an engineering inspection body. The HSE guidance document HSG258 ('Controlling airborne contaminants at work') sets out what constitutes competence for LEV examination and testing.

What does a LEV test involve?+

A thorough examination and test of an LEV system typically includes a visual inspection of ductwork, hoods and enclosures for damage or deterioration; measurement of air velocities at the capture point; static pressure measurements through the system; assessment of filter condition; checks on fan performance; and verification that the system is controlling exposure adequately. The results are recorded in a formal report.

What records must be kept?+

COSHH requires that records of LEV examinations and tests are kept for at least 5 years. The record must contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the system is performing adequately. This includes the test results, any defects found and recommendations for remedial action.

What happens if my LEV system fails the test?+

If the LEV system is found to be inadequate, the employer must take immediate steps to reduce worker exposure by other means (such as respiratory protective equipment) and arrange for the system to be repaired, modified or replaced. Continued use of a system that has failed its test, without interim protective measures, would be a breach of COSHH.

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