Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) in Greater Manchester

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures dust, fume, vapour or mist at the source, such as a welding bench, saw or spray booth, before workers breathe it in. We design and install LEV and arrange the thorough examination and test that COSHH requires at least every 14 months.

Greater Manchester has every kind of building, from old terraces to new estates and business parks, and every job is designed around the building in front of us, not a standard kit.

LEV in Greater Manchester at a glance

Area: Greater Manchester
Towns listed: 66, largest Manchester
Postcode districts: SK3, M3, M5, OL11, OL12 and M21
Price region: North West
Survey: Charged visit, price agreed first

What local exhaust ventilation (LEV) involves

Under the COSHH Regulations, employers using LEV to control exposure must keep it maintained and have it thoroughly examined and tested, at least every 14 months under COSHH regulation 9 (more often for some processes), with records kept for at least five years. HSE guidance HSG258 sets out how LEV should be designed, commissioned and tested. We install extraction arms, hoods, booths, ductwork and fans, set them up to the capture velocities the process needs, and provide commissioning information and user checks so operators know the system is working day to day.

Fume extraction arms

Articulated arms for welding and soldering benches.

Dust extraction

Woodworking, cutting and grinding extraction with filtration.

Booths and hoods

Enclosing hoods and spray or mixing booths.

Guide prices in Greater Manchester

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) guide prices in Greater Manchester
Work	Guide price
LEV thorough examination and test with written report (per system)	£185–£375 + VAT
LEV design and install: extraction arm, booth or hood, ductwork and fan (per system)	£2,325–£8,500 + VAT

Guide prices using North West rates. Prices exclude VAT. A guide price is not a quote: we confirm a fixed price in writing first.

Signs it is time to call us

No LEV test report in the last 14 months
Visible dust or fume escaping the hood
A new process or workstation

Rules in England

Under COSHH, LEV must be thoroughly examined and tested, at least every 14 months under COSHH regulation 9 (more often for some processes).

How the job runs

Assess
Design
Install
Commission
Test

Towns we cover in Greater Manchester

Questions about local exhaust ventilation (LEV) in Greater Manchester

Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?

All of Greater Manchester, including Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport and Salford. If your town is not listed, send the postcode and we will confirm.

What is HSG258?

HSG258 is HSE's guidance on controlling airborne contaminants at work, covering the design, commissioning and testing of LEV.

How much does a new LEV system cost?

A single extraction arm, booth or hood with ductwork and fan typically costs £2,450 to £8,950 excluding VAT.

Are prices different in Greater Manchester?

Our guide prices are adjusted by region. In Greater Manchester we use North West rates, so LEV thorough examination and test with written report is typically £185 to £375 + VAT per system.

Is the survey free in Greater Manchester?

This is a charged visit because it is servicing, testing or repair work. We tell you the cost before booking. Surveys for new installations on the UK mainland are free.