Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

The definition of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system is: an engineering control system to reduce exposures to airborne contaminants such as dust, mist, fume, vapour or gas in the workplace. Simply put it is something that sucks an airborne contaminant out of the workplace.

It is vital that the correct LEV is chosen for a particular task and kept correctly maintaied. If a process or activity with which the LEV is associated is changed then the suitability and specification of the LEV system must be re-assessed.

LEV and related policies:

LEV Policy V8- Covers responsibilities, selection, installation, commussioning, testing and maintenance of LEV systems.

Fume Cupboard Policy – including recirculating fume cupboards

Statutory Inspection, Examination and/or Testing of Specified Equipment -University policy (PDF 100KB)

Estate's arrangements for implementing statutory testing (PDF 187KB)

Additional resources:

LEV Request Form -For all new LEV and modifications to existing systems.

Fume Cupboard Request Form -For all new fume cupboards.

Ducted fume cupboard system logbook

Recirculating fume cupboard logbook

Fume Cupboard Training Record example

Fume Cupboard pre-use checks sign