21 May Things to consider when investing in an Air Extraction and Filtration System
Exposure to airborne dust, fume, smoke and oil mist particles in the workplace can lead to a range of occupational diseases varying from respiratory issues, skin disorders and in some cases, cancer.
Employers have a legal duty to protect the health of their workforce under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. Ensuring clean, breathable air in the workplace is a critical component of this responsibility. A range of extraction solutions are available, but the most suitable option depends on the specific materials, processes and layout of your facility.
Why Extraction Matters
Historically, general ventilation was used to address airborne pollutants, but this approach is now widely discredited due to its inefficiency. Today, local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems are the recommended standard by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under HSG258. These systems capture, contain and treat contaminated air at source to prevent harmful particulate from making its way into the workplace, or the local environment.
Where LEV systems are required under COSHH, employers must ensure they are correctly specified, designed and maintained to effectively control exposure. There are three LEV options available that will provide efficient extraction dependent on the organisation’s requirements:
Types of LEV Systems
Local Extraction
Ideal for one or two machine tools. These provide flexibility, especially for operations that need to be reconfigured quickly.
Cell Based Extraction
Serve small groups of machines (typically 3-10), suitable for modular production layouts.
Centralised Extraction
Ideal for extracting from a large number of tools and are best-suited to fixed-line production environments.
All options will have their own merits dependent on operation requirements, production volume and layout.
Ten Essential Questions to Guide Your LEV Design
When planning an extraction system, careful consideration of the following factors is essential:
1. Materials being processed
Different materials generate different contaminants and may require specialised filtration media.
2. Type of airborne contaminants
Are you dealing with oil mist, smoke, dry dust, wet dust or fume? The extraction and filtration method must match the hazard.
3. Machining processes involved
Are your machines operating wet, dry or using Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL)? This affects the nature of emissions and system design.
4. ATEX compliance
Will the system operate with potentially explosive particulate? If so, equipment must comply with the ATEX Workplace Directive.
5. Machine tool types
Enclosed machines typically contain emissions better than open machines, influencing hood design and airflow requirements.
6. Number of machines and future scalability
How many machines are in scope now? Could this change? The system should allow for future expansion or modification.
7. Enclosure levels
Open or partially enclosed machinery increases the challenge of effective capture and may require high airflow rates.
8. Production layout and flexibility
Is your workshop layout static or frequently reconfigured? Mobile or modular systems may be better suited to changing environments.
9. Control system design
Consider inverter-driven fans, PLCs and damper control valves to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.
10. Air discharge strategy
Should filtered air be recirculated into the facility (subject to meeting HSE requirements) or exhausted outdoors?
Addressing these factors during the design phase will help ensure your system meets operation needs, complies with regulations and effectively protects worker health.
Regulatory Responsibilities and Maintenance
COSHH regulation 9 requires LEV systems to be thoroughly examined and tested at least once every 14 months by a competent person. It’s good practice to routinely monitor system performance. Basic airflow measurements or static pressure readings can help identify underperformance early.
If you suspect your system isn’t working as intended, take immediate action. Simple air quality checks can confirm whether further investigation is needed. In the interest of health and safety, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
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