It’s important to ensure that the dust generated during fettling is properly controlled, particularly when there is a risk of exposure to silica. In most cases, the most practical and effective way of doing this is to install well designed local exhaust ventilation. The Health and Safety Executive have developed a number of sheets providing practical advice on how to control dust and fume generated during foundry processes, including fettling. For small castings they recommend the installation of an extracted booth. The work is carried out inside the booth which then contains the dust generated allowing it to be removed effectively by the extraction.
According to the HSE’s Occupational Lung Disease in Great Britain 2017 report, 12,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work. This has led to increasingly stringent guidelines and statutory requirements for Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). HSE published the third edition of HSG258 ‘Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV)’ in 2017. This guide provides guidance on the design of new local exhaust ventilation (LEV) equipment. It describes the principles of deciding on, designing, commissioning and testing effective LEV.
A comprehensive LEV report will also be produced for each piece of LEV equipment tested. All of our LEV reports include photos and/or schematic diagrams showing all test point locations, which are also clearly identified on the ducting as required by the HSE. This includes the following in line with guidance from HSG258: Following an inspection, our professional LEV consultant will mark the LEV system as a pass or fail. We will also assist you in improving all control measures where necessary.
How Welding Supplies Direct can help ? WE will carry out a thorough tests in line with COSHH Regulation 9 as detailed in HSE Guide HSG258 Our levels of service can be tailored to your Companies needs. However, most clients choose to take advantage of by combining servicing with the LEV testing. See more info at LEV Testing Companies.
Where employers use or intend to use LEV they must ensure that it is appropriate for the task, installed and operated correctly and subsequently maintained so it continues to operate as when originally installed. Suppliers of LEV can play an important role in helping the employer with the design, installation and maintenance of the equipment. This guidance is therefore intended to help employers and suppliers as well as managers, trade union and employee safety representatives to work together to provide effective LEV so that workers are not breathing in hazardous substances. Different chapters will be more appropriate for different audiences.