Many workplace activities generate airborne contaminants that can pose serious risks to employee health. These include dusts, fumes, vapours, and gases that—if inhaled—can lead to both short-term irritation and long-term illness.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is one of the most effective ways to control these risks. This guide explains what LEV is used for and the types of work activities where it is commonly required.
What is LEV?
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is a system designed to capture and remove harmful airborne substances at the point they are generated, before they can spread into the workplace or be inhaled by workers.
Unlike general ventilation, which simply dilutes contaminated air, LEV systems target the source of the hazard—making them a much more effective control measure.
What is LEV used for?
LEV is used to control exposure to hazardous substances in the air and protect employees from inhalation risks.
It is typically used to extract:
- Dust
- Fumes
- Vapours
- Gases
By removing these contaminants at source, LEV helps reduce the risk of developing occupational illnesses such as respiratory disease, asthma, and other long-term health conditions.
Why is LEV important?
Airborne hazards are not always visible, and their effects may not be immediate. Over time, exposure can lead to serious and sometimes irreversible health issues.
LEV is important because it:
- Controls hazardous substances before they reach the breathing zone
- Reduces exposure for both operators and others nearby
- Prevents contaminants from spreading throughout the workplace
- Supports compliance with legal duties to protect employee health
What types of work activity require LEV?
LEV is required wherever work activities generate potentially harmful airborne substances. Common examples include:
Welding and cutting
Welding, flame cutting, and similar processes produce fumes that can be harmful when inhaled.
LEV is used to capture these fumes at source and prevent them from dispersing into the surrounding area.
Grinding, sanding, and dust-producing activities
Tasks such as grinding, sanding, polishing, or cutting materials like wood, metal, or concrete generate fine dust particles.
LEV helps extract this dust directly at the point of generation, reducing inhalation risks and improving overall air quality.
Work with hazardous substances and chemicals
Processes involving chemicals, solvents, adhesives, or coatings can release vapours or mists into the air. LEV systems are used to control these emissions and prevent worker exposure.
Manufacturing and industrial processes
Many production and processing activities generate airborne contaminants, including:
- Mixing or handling powders
- Heating or melting materials
- Processing chemicals
- Operating machinery that produces fumes or dust
LEV helps ensure these operations can be carried out safely
Use of powered tools and abrasive equipment
Tools such as grinders, cut-off saws, and other powered equipment () can generate significant amounts of dust and debris. LEV may be required to reduce exposure for operators and nearby workers.
Working with engineered stone
Working with engineered stone (such as quartz worktops) presents a significant health risk due to the high levels of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that can be released during activities such as cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing.
When these materials are worked dry or without adequate controls, very fine silica dust can become airborne and inhaled. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to serious and often irreversible health conditions, including silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases.
LEV is critical in these activities because it:
- Captures silica dust at the point of generation
- Prevents dust from spreading into the wider work area
- Reduces exposure for both operators and nearby workers
However, LEV should not be used in isolation. A combination of controls are typically required when working with engineered stone, including:
- Using water suppression techniques to minimise dust generation
- Ensuring LEV systems are properly designed, positioned, and maintained
- Providing appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) where required
- Implementing safe systems of work and training employees
Given the severity of the risks, work involving engineered stone should always be carefully assessed, and controls must be robust, well-maintained, and consistently applied.
When is LEV required?
LEV should be considered when:
- Hazardous substances are generated during work
- Exposure cannot be eliminated
- Substitution with a safer alternative is not possibleGeneral ventilation alone is not sufficient
In these situations, LEV provides an effective engineering control to reduce exposure to an acceptable level.
Additional considerations
To ensure LEV remains effective, employers should:
- Carry out regular inspection, maintenance, and testing
- Ensure systems are used correctly by employees
- Provide training on how LEV works and why it is important
- Monitor performance to confirm contaminants are being captured effectively
Employees should also be aware of how to recognise faults and report any issues promptly.
Final thoughts
LEV is a critical control measure for managing airborne health risks in the workplace. By capturing hazardous substances at source, it provides effective protection against serious ill health and helps businesses maintain safe working environments.
Where work activities generate dust, fumes, vapours, or gases, employers should assess whether LEV is required—and ensure it is properly installed, maintained, and used.
Need support with LEV?
Peninsula provides expert advice to help you manage workplace exposure risks, implement effective control measures, and stay compliant with health and safety requirements.
