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Why Routine LEV Checks Matter

HSG258, the HSE’s official guidance on controlling airborne contaminants at work, makes clear that routine user checks are a critical part of LEV maintenance. These are separate from the formal 14-month thorough examination and test (TExT) carried out by a competent person. User checks are carried out by the people who use the LEV system every day.

The purpose of daily, weekly, and monthly user checks is to catch problems early — before they lead to worker exposure or a failed TExT. A blocked filter, a split hose, or a displaced extraction hood might not be obvious until someone checks specifically. By the time workers notice visible dust or fume in the air, the LEV system has often been underperforming for some time.

Who Should Carry Out User Checks?

Any trained employee who uses or works near the LEV system can carry out routine user checks. They do not need specialist engineering knowledge — they need to know what to look for and what to report. HSG258 recommends that employers provide simple checklists and brief training so that checks become part of the daily routine, not an afterthought.

Keeping Records of User Checks

While there is no legal requirement to keep records of every daily check, good practice — and the standard expected by HSE inspectors — is to document checks regularly. A record of consistent user checks shows due diligence and can be the difference between a clean inspection and an enforcement notice. Paper logbooks work, but they are easy to lose, hard to review, and impossible to search when an inspector asks a specific question.