Occupational hygiene

LEV/Indoor air quality monitoring

Indoor air quality can be affected in many ways.  Internal pollution can be caused by such factors as construction materials used in the building, furnishings, fixtures, equipment and materials in use and even the land where the building is sited.
 
As an employer you have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your employees who work in an indoor environment.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 requires employers to assess and control the exposure of their workforce to hazardous materials.  The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also require that a ‘sufficient supply of fresh or purified air’ is provided.

Building Related Sickness (Sick building syndrome)

Poor air quality can reduce productivity and increase sickness absence. The symptoms of building-related sickness can include:

• Irritation of eyes, nose and skin
  
• Headache
  
• Tiredness or lethargy
  
• Flu-like symptoms
• Breathing difficulties

How ALS can help

Our consultants have the necessary expertise and equipment to undertake a thorough building survey, detecting airborne contaminants including, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and many more airborne contaminants including substances as diverse as mercury and lead.  The majority of our equipment is direct reading and will provide instant results.

Other environmental factors such as temperature, noise, relative humidity, lighting levels and ventilation rates are also measured.  Clients are then advised on the measures necessary to maintain a healthy and productive workplace.

LEV Testing

Where a local exhaust ventilation system such as dust or fume extraction is used to control exposure to substances hazardous to health, there is a legal duty to ensure that the system continues to operate effectively.

Thorough examination and tests should be carried out at least once every 14 months to ensure the LEV equipment remains in good working order and comply with the COSHH Regulations 2002.

How ALS can help

LEV problems may occur due to:

• Blockages or restrictions in the system
• Physical damage to the hood, cabinet or ducting
• Clogged or incorrectly fitted filters
• Malfunction of extractor fan
• Partial blockages causing flow imbalance or turbulence
• Incorrect positioning of extractor hood
• Alterations to ducting or addition of extractor hoods

ALS can carry out face velocity measurement testing to ensure that the LEV system continues to operate as originally intended or identify problems and cost effective remedial action.

 

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