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Calculate Your Next LEV Test Date

Enter your last LEV thorough examination date and see exactly when your next TExT is due under the 14-month rule.

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How Often Should LEV Be Tested? The 14-Month Rule Explained

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Understanding the 14-Month LEV Testing Rule

Under COSHH Regulation 9, every LEV system must receive a thorough examination and test (TExT) at least every 14 months. The 14-month interval — not 12 — gives a built-in buffer, but missing the deadline means instant non-compliance if HSE inspects. This calculator helps you track when your next test is due.

For multiple LEV units, keeping track of staggered 14-month cycles across different systems is where paper diaries fall apart. Each unit may have been installed or last tested at a different time, creating a patchwork of overlapping deadlines that are easy to lose track of.

Why 14 Months, Not 12?

The 14-month interval is deliberately longer than a calendar year. This gives businesses a two-month buffer to arrange testing without falling out of compliance. However, many employers mistakenly assume they have a full year and end up booking tests too late. The HSE does not accept “we thought it was annual” as an excuse for missing the deadline.

What Happens If You Miss a TExT Deadline?

If an HSE inspector visits and your TExT is overdue, you are immediately non-compliant with COSHH Regulation 9. This can result in improvement notices, prohibition notices (shutting down the LEV system until testing is completed), or prosecution. Fines for COSHH breaches can reach six figures, and directors can face personal liability in serious cases.

Tips for Managing Multiple LEV Units

  • Record the last TExT date for every LEV unit in one central location
  • Set calendar reminders at least 2 months before each due date to allow time to book a competent examiner
  • Consider aligning test dates where practical to reduce the number of separate booking dates
  • Keep a copy of each TExT report accessible — inspectors can ask for 5 years of records at any time