LEV maintenance checklist: Daily and Weekly Tasks to Keep Your LEV Systems Running Smoothly

LEV maintenance is a critical part of controlling exposure to hazardous dusts, fumes and vapours in the workplace. In the UK and the Republic of Ireland, employers are legally required to ensure that LEV systems are examined, tested and maintained in an efficient working order.

While statutory LEV examination and testing is a legal requirement, effective LEV system maintenance between examinations is essential. Poor LEV maintenance can lead to reduced airflow, failed statutory tests and non-compliance with health and safety legislation.

This guide provides a practical LEV maintenance checklist, including LEV daily checks and LEV weekly checks, to help keep your extraction systems operating safely and in line with regulatory expectations.

Why LEV System Maintenance Matters

Effective LEV system maintenance ensures that ventilation systems continue to perform as designed and provide consistent protection for workers.

Good LEV maintenance helps to ensure:

• consistent airflow and capture efficiency

• reliable control of hazardous contaminants

• reduced breakdowns and unplanned downtime

• extended system lifespan

• smoother outcomes during statutory LEV examinations

Regulatory guidance is clear that LEV systems must be kept in efficient working order. Routine LEV daily checks and LEV weekly checks are therefore an essential part of legal compliance, not just best practice.

LEV Maintenance Checklist

This LEV maintenance checklist is designed for routine use in workshops, factories, laboratories and other environments where effective LEV control is essential.

Regular use of an LEV maintenance checklist supports ongoing LEV system maintenance and helps identify performance issues before they escalate.

LEV Daily Checks

LEV daily checks are quick, visual and functional checks that help confirm the system is operating correctly at the start of each shift.

1. Check the airflow indicator

   • Confirm readings are within the normal operating range

   • Note any sudden changes from previous LEV daily checks

2. Inspect the hood or capture device

   • Ensure the hood is clean, unobstructed and correctly positioned

   • Check for visible damage or blockages

3. Listen for unusual noises

   • Unusual sounds may indicate issues affecting LEV system maintenance

4. Look for visible dust or fume escape

   • Escaping contaminants can indicate reduced airflow or poor LEV performance

5. Confirm the system is switched on

   • A basic but essential part of effective LEV maintenance

Consistent LEV daily checks support reliable LEV performance and protect workers between statutory examinations.

LEV Weekly Checks

LEV weekly checks are more detailed than daily checks and form a key part of planned LEV system maintenance.

1. Inspect ducting and flexible hoses

   • Look for cracks, holes, wear or loose joints

2. Check filter condition

   • Dirty or clogged filters are a common cause of poor LEV performance

3. Test hood movement and stability

   • Ensure extraction arms move freely and stay in position

4. Check for dust build-up

   • Dust accumulation can indicate reduced capture efficiency

5. Check for unusual vibration

   • Excess vibration may indicate fan or mechanical issues

Routine LEV weekly checks help maintain airflow, reduce failures and support long-term LEV maintenance.

When to Call a Professional

Even with good LEV maintenance, some issues require professional support. Contact a competent LEV engineer if you observe:

• airflow readings declining over time

• persistent dust or fume escape

• damaged ducting or capture hoods

• noisy or vibrating fans

• filters clogging more frequently than expected

• extraction arms that will not hold position

These issues often indicate problems beyond routine LEV system maintenance and may affect statutory compliance.

LEV Maintenance vs LEV Testing

It is important to distinguish between maintenance and statutory testing:

• LEV maintenance: Routine LEV daily checks, LEV weekly checks and corrective actions carried out by users

• LEV testing: A statutory thorough examination and test carried out by a competent engineer, with documented results

In the UK statutory LEV examinations are expected to be conducted in accordance with P601, the recognised competency standard for LEV testing. Occupational health authorities expect examination reports to follow the P601 report format, providing clear evidence that the system has been properly assessed and remains effective.

Irish legislation (primarily the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and the General Application Regulations) requires that exposure to hazardous substances is prevented or adequately controlled, that engineering controls are maintained, examined and tested, and most importantly that employers can demonstrate that controls remain effective.

Both LEV maintenance and statutory testing are required to demonstrate compliance with UK and Irish health and safety legislation.

Need Professional LEV Support? We Cover Ireland and the UK

If you need assurance that your LEV maintenance, LEV system maintenance and statutory obligations are being met, we provide professional LEV examination and testing services across Ireland and the UK.

All statutory examinations are completed by competent engineers and carried out in accordance with P601, producing clear, compliant reports that meet regulatory expectations.

Our engineer surveyors at Carn Engineering are multi-disciplined, allowing us to also provide statutory examinations for lifting equipment, pressure systems, machinery and other work equipment during the same site visit. This integrated approach reduces operational disruption, limits staff disturbance and simplifies compliance management across your site.

To discuss your LEV maintenance checklist, book a statutory LEV examination or review your LEV system maintenance arrangements, contact our team today.

📧 Email: info@carnengineering.com