Make sure your LEV system adequately protects people from breathing in harmful substances
 

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Health and Safety Executive

HSE ebulletin

Issued: 2 April 2025

Visit HSE’s website for more guidance about local exhaust ventilation (LEV).

Commission your LEV system

New webpage launched on commissioning LEV systems.

LEV helps control exposure to gas, vapour, dust, fume and mist in workplace air by extracting the clouds of contaminant at source before people breathe them in. 

‘Commissioning’ is proving that the LEV system is capable of providing adequate control. As an employer, you should commission your LEV system to make sure it adequately protects people from breathing in harmful substances.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2002 (COSHH) dutyholders must adequately control exposure to substances in the workplace that cause ill-health.

In Great Britain, occupational lung disease accounts for around 12,000 annual deaths, estimated to be linked to past exposures at work. A crucial part of our 10-year strategy 'The HSE Strategy - protecting people and places' is to reduce work-related ill-health, with a priority of tackling occupational lung disease. 

Read our new webpage: Commission your LEV system.

April is Stress Awareness Month 

We're inviting employers and managers to complete the 5 steps of HSE's Working Minds campaign over the course of April and have everything you need to get started, for free.

You can also visit HSE's website for further guidance and information on stress and mental health at work.

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