Local Exhaust Ventilation Inspection Checklist: What Every Employer Should Know

Use this checklist to prepare for an LEV examination and test and organise day-to-day checks. Local exhaust ventilation controls contaminants at the process, so its condition, airflow and how people use it all matter. Routine checks support maintenance; they do not replace a thorough examination and test.

1. Identify the system and process

Record the system reference, equipment served and substances produced. Note changes to materials, hoods, ductwork or working methods since the last examination. A system designed for one task may need reassessment before serving a different process.

2. Gather the records

• Commissioning information and intended performance.

• The latest examination report and outstanding actions.

• Maintenance, filter replacement and repair records.

• Operating instructions and the relevant risk assessment.

Tell the examiner if records are missing. Missing design information needs to be addressed when deciding how performance can be assessed.

3. Check visible condition and use

Trained users should follow the system instructions when checking hoods, connections, flexible ducting, filters and airflow indicators. Report damage, unusual noise, visible escape of contaminants or an indicator outside its expected range. Do not remove guards or open equipment unless authorised and safe to do so.

4. Assess performance during representative work

The examiner should consider how the process operates and whether contaminants are captured effectively. Appropriate airflow and pressure measurements support that assessment. There is no single face-velocity figure that proves every type of hood provides adequate control; the benchmark must suit the system and process.

5. Confirm the examination interval

Most LEV systems require thorough examination and testing at intervals of no more than 14 months. Some specified processes require shorter intervals, and conditions can justify more frequent checks. Do not assume a six- or twelve-month legal interval solely because a process involves wood dust or isocyanates. Check the applicable requirements and agree the schedule with a competent person.

6. Choose competent support and act on findings

Competence combines knowledge, skills and experience. Relevant training, such as BOHS P601, can support that evidence, but a certificate alone does not establish competence. A suitably competent person may be internal or external.

Keep examination records for at least five years. Review defects promptly, decide what controls are needed before affected work continues, and record repairs and subsequent performance checks.

What to record in your routine LEV check log

Use a consistent record for each system so recurring faults and unfinished actions are easy to spot. Adapt these fields to your equipment instructions and site procedures:

• Date, time, system or hood reference and person carrying out the check.

• Process in use and any change since the previous check.

• Visible condition, hood position and the indicator reading or status, where fitted.

• The expected range from the system instructions, alongside any observation outside it.

• Defects or concerns, who was informed, and any immediate action taken.

• Person responsible for follow-up, target date and confirmation of the completed action.

Record what was actually checked. A tick-box entry should not imply that measurements or an assessment were completed when they were not.

Does a monthly LEV checklist replace testing?

No. Routine checks help identify changes between formal examinations. Their frequency should follow the equipment instructions, use and risk assessment; a monthly schedule is not suitable for every check. Keep routine checks, maintenance and the thorough examination and test as distinct tasks.

If a check identifies damage, escaping dust or fumes, or an indicator outside its expected range, report it promptly and follow the agreed site response. Do not wait for the next scheduled examination to raise the concern.

Arrange an LEV examination

Premier LEV supports UK workplaces with LEV testing, servicing and repairs. Use our testing quote checklist, then send your site location, system details and previous report through our contact page.

Reference: HSE LEV examination and competence guidance.