LEV Inspection Checklist: Daily Checks, Weekly Reviews, and What to Record

A checklist sounds basic. It is basic. That's why it works.

The HSE ran 4,000 targeted dust inspections in 2024/25. Among the most common findings: businesses that have LEV systems but no structured process for checking them between formal examinations. Less than half of companies with LEV systems regularly test them. Of those that do get the 14-month TExT done, many have no evidence of any checks in between.

A written checklist, used consistently and recorded properly, is the simplest way to close that gap. Here's what it should contain and how to use it.

Why You Need an LEV Inspection Checklist

Your LEV system undergoes a thorough examination and test (TExT) at least every 14 months. That examination confirms the system works on one specific day. Between examinations, you're responsible for making sure it keeps working. That's your duty under COSHH Regulation 9 — maintain LEV in efficient working order, efficient working condition, and good repair.

A checklist does three things:

1. Prevents missed checks. Without a list, people check what they remember to check. A hood knocked out of position gets noticed. A slowly clogging filter doesn't — until capture performance drops below effective levels.
2. Creates a record. COSHH doesn't explicitly require user check records, but HSG258 recommends them, and HSE inspectors look for them. A completed checklist is evidence that you're meeting your maintenance duty.
3. Catches problems early. A daily check that takes 5 minutes can identify a failing component before it becomes a system failure. Early intervention is cheaper than emergency repair and far cheaper than an enforcement notice.

Daily User Check Items

These seven checks apply to virtually every LEV type — dust extraction, fume hoods, spray booths, welding extractors, dental suction, nail ventilation, kitchen extraction. Run through them at the start of every working day, before the system is needed.

Universal daily checklist

• System powers on and runs. Switch the system on. Confirm the fan starts, runs to full speed, and sounds normal. Unusual noise (grinding, rattling, high-pitched whine) indicates a mechanical problem — worn bearings, a loose fan blade, a slipping belt.

• Airflow confirmed at every capture point. Hold a tissue, a light strip of paper, or your hand near each hood, slot, or extraction opening. You should feel a definite pull. If suction is weak or absent at any point, the system isn't capturing contaminants there. For systems with multiple hoods, check each one — a blocked branch can reduce flow at one hood while others seem fine.

• No visible escape of dust, fume, or vapour. With the system running and the process active (or simulated), watch the capture zone. Contaminants should be drawn into the hood, not drifting past it into the room. Visible escape means the system isn't capturing adequately at that point.

• Hoods and capture points correctly positioned. Flexible arms, moveable hoods, and adjustable canopies must be positioned close to the source. A welding extraction arm that's been pushed to the side, or a downdraft slot that's been covered with tools, isn't protecting anyone. Check that nothing has been moved since the last shift.

• Ductwork intact. Look along visible ductwork for gaps, cracks, loose joints, dents, and disconnections. Even a small hole in ductwork between the hood and the fan reduces capture velocity at the hood. Flexible sections are especially vulnerable to damage.

• Filters and collectors not overloaded. Check filter indicators, bag condition, collection bins, and dust drawers. An overloaded filter restricts airflow across the whole system. If your system has a differential pressure gauge across the filter, read it and note the value. A rising reading means increasing resistance — the filter needs attention.

• Gauges and indicators within normal range. If your system has static pressure gauges, manometers, airflow indicators, or warning lights, read them. Compare against the baseline values recorded when the system was last tested or commissioned. Significant deviation from baseline means something has changed — investigate before continuing work.

Time required: 5-10 minutes for a single-system installation. 15-20 minutes for multi-hood setups.

Who does it: Any employee trained to understand the system and recognise problems. No formal qualification required. The HSE's employer guidance states the person needs to understand how the system works, know what to look for, and know what to do when something is wrong.

Weekly Inspection Items

Weekly checks go slightly deeper than daily ones. These cover items that don't change day-to-day but can deteriorate over a week of operation.

• Flexible hoses and connections. Inspect all flexible ductwork, hose connections, and couplings for cracks, kinks, crushing, and looseness. Flexible sections have shorter lifespans than rigid ductwork and are the most common point of failure.

• Dampers and blast gates. Check that all dampers and blast gates are in their correct positions and operate freely. A stuck blast gate can redirect airflow away from an active hood, leaving a worker unprotected.

• Fan belt tension and condition (where accessible). If your system uses a belt-driven fan and the belt is accessible for inspection, check for wear, fraying, glazing, and correct tension. A slipping belt reduces fan speed and airflow. Many systems are direct-drive, in which case skip this item.

• Collection and disposal. Empty dust collection bins, replace full bags, clean out waste traps. An overflowing collection point creates back-pressure that affects the whole system. Dispose of waste properly — wood dust and some metal dusts are combustible.

• External discharge point. If the system exhausts outside, check the discharge grille or stack for blockage (leaves, debris, bird nests, ice in winter). A blocked discharge restricts the entire system.

Time required: 10-15 minutes on top of your daily check.

What to Document and How Long to Keep It

For every check, record:

Field	Example
Date	2026-03-21
Time	07:45
Person	J. Singh
LEV system / unit	Woodshop dust extraction — Unit 2
Check type	Daily user check
All items checked	Yes / list of items
Readings taken	Static pressure: 250 Pa (baseline: 280 Pa)
Problems found	Slight dust escape at Hood 3; flexible connector has small split
Action taken	Taped split temporarily, reported for repair. Hood 3 taken out of use.
Follow-up needed	Flexible connector replacement — ordered 2026-03-21

Retention period: COSHH Regulation 9 mandates 5-year retention for TExT reports. For user check records, there's no specific statutory minimum, but HSG258 recommends keeping them alongside your TExT records. In practice, keep everything for at least 5 years. If an inspector asks to see evidence of ongoing maintenance, you want the full picture available.

Format: Paper or digital. The regulations don't prescribe a format. What matters is that records are complete, legible, and accessible when needed. For a detailed comparison of the two approaches, see our paper vs digital log book guide.

Making Your Checklist Sector-Specific

The daily and weekly items above are universal. But different LEV types have additional check points that matter for your specific setup.

Woodworking dust extraction: Check for dust deposits on surfaces near the extraction point — this is the clearest visual indicator that capture is failing. Inspect the blast gate positions if your system serves multiple machines. Check the bin-full indicator on the collector.

Spray booths: Check filters for paint loading and replace on schedule. Confirm airflow direction (from operator towards the booth). Inspect booth seals and panels for gaps that would disrupt the airflow pattern. Read the manometer.

Welding fume extraction: Check that extraction arms reach the weld point and are being positioned within 200-300 mm of the arc. Inspect the arm's articulation — stiff joints mean operators won't reposition the arm between welds. Check filter condition and the auto-clean function if fitted.

Laboratory fume cupboards: Test face velocity with an anemometer if available — a reading below 0.5 m/s at the working aperture warrants investigation. Check the sash mechanism. Confirm the alarm or low-flow indicator works. Look for excessive clutter inside the cupboard that could disrupt airflow.

Dental suction and nail bar ventilation: Check suction strength at each individual handpiece or station. Inspect flexible hoses for kinks and blockages. Confirm filters are clean and the motor runs without unusual vibration.

Our compliance checklist generator builds a tailored checklist based on your LEV type, sector, and number of systems. It takes about 2 minutes and gives you a ready-to-use document.

Turning Your Checklist Into a Routine

A checklist only works if people use it. A few practical points that make the difference between a checklist that lives and one that gets ignored after the first week:

Make it visible. Pin the checklist next to the LEV system, not in a folder in the office. The closer it is to the equipment, the more likely it gets completed.

Make it quick. The daily checklist above takes 5-10 minutes. If your checklist takes 30 minutes, it won't get done on busy days. Keep it tight.

Assign it to a named person. "Everyone should check the LEV" means nobody checks the LEV. Name one person per shift or per day. Rotate if needed, but always have a named individual.

Review completed checklists weekly. Someone with management responsibility should glance at the week's completed checklists. Are all days covered? Any recurring issues? Any readings trending in the wrong direction?

Act on findings immediately. If a check reveals a problem, fix it or take the affected hood out of use. A checklist that documents the same fault day after day without action is worse than no checklist — it's evidence that you knew about a problem and didn't address it.

Your Starting Point

Download-ready checklists are useful. Sector-specific checklists are better. Our compliance checklist generator creates a tailored inspection checklist based on your LEV type, industry, and number of systems — ready to print or use digitally. The record-keeping requirements checker can then help you confirm your documentation meets COSHH requirements.

LEVproof will bring checklists, records, and TExT tracking together in one system — designed for UK businesses that need LEV compliance without the admin overhead. Join the waitlist for early access.

Sources

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) — legislation.gov.uk
• HSG258: Controlling airborne contaminants at work — HSE
• LEV guidance for employers — HSE
• Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) guidance — HSE
• COSHH main page — HSE

This guide summarises published HSE and government guidance. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.