Local exhaust ventilation
A system of engineering control that captures airborne contaminants at or near the point of generation, before they can disperse into the general workplace air. LEV is a key control measure in the hierarchy for chemical and dust hazards.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“local exhaust ventilation”LEVSharedCOSHH 2002 regulation 7 requires employers to apply adequate control of exposure to hazardous substances, and regulation 9 requires that control measures, including LEV plant, are maintained, examined and tested at least every 14 months by a competent person. HSE guidance (HSG258) gives detailed requirements for LEV design, maintenance and thorough examination.
Irish HSA
“local exhaust ventilation”SharedThe Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 require employers to apply a hierarchy of controls including engineering controls such as LEV. The General Application Regulations 2007 also address ventilation as a means of exposure control. Requirements for maintenance and testing of LEV are set out in the relevant regulations.
US OSHA
“local exhaust ventilation”SharedOSHA requires LEV as an engineering control in various substance-specific standards, including 29 CFR 1910.1000 (air contaminants), 1910.94 (abrasive blasting), and many substance-specific standards. The general principle that engineering controls must be used before relying on PPE applies across OSHA standards.
Practitioner note: An engineering control — ranks above administrative controls and PPE in the hierarchy. COSHH reg 7 requires LEV for indoor welding and many other processes.