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Lots of different jobs across different industries involve work processes that create dust and
fumes.
If these are not controlled properly people can breathe them in and develop diseases such
as asthma, lung scarring and cancer.
Every year thousands of people in Great Britain die as a result of breathing in harmful dusts
and fumes at work.
The common way businesses can control dust and fumes is by using local exhaust ventilation
systems or LEV, also called extraction or fume control.
LEV systems can be very effective at controlling dust and fumes but it is vital that people
understand how LEV works so that they buy the right LEV and use it properly.
LEV systems all work in the same way.
[Video showing example]
In this example 2 hoods are used to enclose the saw blade, one above the table and one
below.
The LEV airflow into these hoods carries the wood dust away.
The contaminated extracted air is transported through the duct work to the filter and fan
unit.
The filter removes the dust from the air.
The fan creates the airflow.
It’s the motor that moves air through the system.
An LEV system will often provide extraction at more than one machine.
Getting the right type of LEV hood is the most critical step.
If the hood design is right for the process then it is possible to control the dust and
fume.
Soldering work produces fume which can cause asthma.
[Video showing LEV]
Here the worker is protected by the LEV hood and system but how does it work.
The hot fume cloud rises but is prevented from reaching the woman’s breathing zone
by the enclosing hood.
The LEV airflow draws the fume filled air away.
The enclosure and the airflow act together to protect the worker’s health.
Enclosures can be very effective but in practice LEV hoods come in all shapes and sizes, from
ones which are large enough to stand in to others that are tiny and built into tools.
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LEV hood design is critical to controlling dust and fumes.
For almost any dusty or fumy process there is an LEV hood and system design that will
provide effective control.
Make sure your LEV is the right sort and is properly applied.
Well designed and applied LEV systems can really protect your workers’ health.
Professional advice is widely available.
You can get competent help from your trade association or a professional adviser.
Printed guidance on how to choose and use LEV is available from the HSE and a range
of information and links can be found at the HSE LEV website.