Workplace health &
© 2009 SATRA Technology Centre. Reproduction of SATRA Spotlight in part or in its entirety is not permitted in any shape or form, whether in print or digital media, without prior written permission from SATRA.
safety – Local Exhaust
Ventilation
Techniques for protecting operatives against airborne
hazards encountered in many factories.
Where any kind of hazardous airborne
material is generated, either in dust, fume, gas
or vapour form, build-up of the material
should be controlled by extraction at source
using Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
equipment. This is normally an air extraction
system dedicated to a particular machine or a
group of machines, channelling hazardous
airborne materials to a collection point or to
be dispersed into the atmosphere. Examples of
factory operations which require LEV include
removing dust from sanding, movement of
powdered substances and extraction of solvent
vapours from cementing, moulding and spray-
coating activities.
Equipment
Most modern dust-producing machines will
already have an inbuilt hood designed to
capture any particles or vapours. Such
machines can easily be connected to an
existing LEV system. Where hoods or other
collection equipment are not built-in, these will
have to be fitted as part of the LEV system.
Where solvent-based adhesives are
applied by hand, a downdraught extractor is
recommended, because solvent vapours are
heavier than air. Updraught ventilation (for
example, so-called salad-bar types) are less
effective, as solvent vapour will be more
difficult to remove and may be drawn over the
by David Wright
operative’s face by the LEV if the work
placement is not correctly shielded.
Positioning of LEV equipment in relation to
the workplace is clearly very important.
Operatives must not be allowed to get
between the hazard and the LEV, as they will
be directly in the path of the contaminated
airflow. Contaminated air should be
discharged to the atmosphere at a point well
away from doors, windows and air inlets, to
prevent it from re-entering the building. Electric
cooling fans may also disturb the outward flow
of contaminated air, spreading it into the
general workplace. Therefore, their use should
be avoided if at all possible. Where they must
be used, they should be positioned away from
areas where LEV is in use. Every LEV system in
use should have an air cleaner (filter) installed
to prevent the discharge of contaminants back
into the workplace atmosphere.
Local Exhaust Ventilation testing
It is recommended that LEVs are tested
regularly (at least once per year) by trained
and competent staff or a suitably qualified
outside body, and a detailed record of the
LEVs performance should be kept (in the
United Kingdom this is mandatory). However,
it is good practice for the extraction system to
be checked by the operative each time it is
used. A simple inspection checklist (see box 1)
can help to ensure that:
• Dust collecting bags, if fitted, are not full
• Residues are not allowed to accumulate and
block openings and ducts
• There is no obvious damage to the
equipment, such as disconnected joints or
leaks
• Filters are neither blocked nor need
replacing.
It is usually obvious when a dust extraction
system is not working properly, or if one is
required where it has not been fitted. Dust
© 2009 SATRA Technology Centre. Reproduction of SATRA Spotlight in part or in its entirety is not permitted in any shape or form, whether in print or digital media, without prior written permission from SATRA.
Figure 1: Testing local exhaust ventilation for air velocity
Box 1: Daily checklist for LEV
• If fitted, does the airflow indicator show
the LEV is working properly? This is often
shown as a green and red band. If the
needle is in the green band, then it is
working correctly
• Is the operative close enough to it for the
LEV to do its job properly?
• Are there any signs it is not working
properly – such as smells or settled dust?
• Are there any unusual noises or vibration
coming from it?
• Has it been thoroughly tested for electrical
safety, as well as suitable airflow and
extraction levels, with a ‘tested’ label that is
within date?
clouds may be visible at times, or there could
be deposits on floors, ledges and machinery.
However, even with efficient extraction, some
dust deposits around machinery are inevitable
and these should not be allowed to
accumulate.
It is more difficult to know when the
extraction of solvent vapours is inadequate
and, because performance of the LEV can
diminish over time, this can allow solvent
vapours to build up. The operative may not be
aware of this until a point is reached where
solvent can be smelled. For these reasons, it is
advisable to ensure that operatives are being
adequately checked using solvent- or dust-
monitoring badges, which will show the levels
of individual exposure.
Measurements of the air velocity at the
face of the hood and at the work position will
provide useful information on the quality of air
extraction, and this can be used to identify any
deficiencies in the system. There are no set air
speed limits for LEV, but SATRA uses the
following guidelines:
• Buffing/sanding machines – minimum
2.5ms-1
• Small spray booth – approximately 1.0ms-1
• Downdraught extraction (adhesives bench) –
approximately 0.5ms-1.
“It is advisable to ensure that
operatives are being adequately
checked using solvent- or dust-
monitoring badges, which will
show the levels of individual
exposure”
A second test, using a smoke generator tube,
is a useful visual aid to demonstrate whether or
not dust or solvent is being effectively captured.
Smoke tests should be carried out at the
working position where the hazard is
generated. Smoke replicates the particle size of
fine dust which is more dangerous, as it
penetrates deeper into the lungs.
The equipment required to carry out the
tests discussed above can be purchased for a
relatively small amount and, with limited
training, it can be used within the factory as
part of routine maintenance and testing of LEV
equipment. Air velocity measurements (figure 1)
and the smoke test are best carried out by
trained staff as part of routine LEV
maintenance.
Maintenance
Checks and maintenance should be carried
out on a regular basis. Daily, weekly and
monthly checks may be appropriate,
depending on the amount of work or detail
entailed. In general, they should ensure the
following:
• That hoods are as close as possible to the
point of hazard generation
• Moving parts (such as bearings or shakers)
are checked for wear or damage
• Non-moving parts – including hoods,
ductwork and seals – are checked for
excessive physical or chemical damage and
wear
• Parts that deteriorate with use (including
filters or flexible ducting) are checked and
replaced as necessary. Where filters are used,
a regular maintenance programme conducted
by an authorised organisation may be
required to replace and dispose of used filters
• Maintenance that needs regular attention is
carried out, such as the removal of sludge
from a wet scrubber.
Small holes and gaps in ducting or pipework
due to bad fitting or damage can significantly
reduce the amount of extraction at the face of
the hood, as the air is pulled preferentially
from holes closer to the fan. Any such gaps
need to be repaired or sealed.
Training
Information should be given to the workers on
the harmful nature of the substances used and
how the use of LEV can protect them.
Operatives should also be trained in how to
use, clean and maintain the LEV, and
supervisors need to ensure that control
measures are in place and are being followed.
Your LEV monitoring results and system checks
should then become part of a recognised
Health and Safety Management System.
How can SATRA help?
For more information about LEV systems in
the workplace and the services that SATRA
can offer (including monitoring LEV levels),
please contact David Wright
(davidw@satra.co.uk).
SATRA Spotlight