info@compliancelev.co.uk

01290 823123

LOCATION

Mauchline, Ayrshire

Compliance LEV News

Energy Reduction Case Study

Out with the Old, and in with the New

#oilmist #metalworkingfluids #HSE #levscotland #circulareconomy #energyreduction #carbonreduction #businessesinscotland

A large manufacturer of gas turbine engine manufacturer had 6 inefficient dry dust collectors using significant energy during the energy crisis. The project was to reduce energy and servicing costs quickly and dramatically.

Over the years changes to operations meant changes to the ducting layout. Alterations and addons had been done without calculations, and this had created very inefficient airflows.

These changes meant they needed much less airflow to control the contaminant and stay compliant with HSG 258 and COSHH regulations.

Many businesses change ducting layouts but seldom think of the pressure on the LEV system. This can dramatically increase energy costs and add to running costs.

What did we do?

  • We completed a careful redesign of the ducting system inside.
  • We spent time with the client mapping the process, understanding working practise, calculating future state actual airflow requirements versus current state.
  • We calculated, specified, designed, and installed a fast ROI set of replacement systems.
  • We arranged independent energy data logging to understand actual energy use.
  • We reduced large belt driven motors from 32 and 22Kw to 18 and 11kw highly efficient direct drive motors reducing the need for belts and more PPM time.
  • We installed smaller LEV. By reworking the ducting we were able to reduce the number of filters needed each year from 216 to 98 significantly reducing year on year costs and PPM time, reduced down time, reduced waste to land fill and reduced inbound transport costs.
  • The project outcome: 6 significant upgrades. Cost saving of £250K per annum on energy alone. New machines with a 15 to 20 year expected life span paid for in less than 2.5 years. Year on year added value to the business via reduced energy, carbon footprint and we returned warm air back to the facility.
  • The ROI was under 2.5 years at current costs. 20 year projection, 5 million saved on energy.

Be Compliant…..with COMPLIANCE LEV Ltd

Company fined £15,000 for wood dust failures.

In June 2022 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) raised concerns about how a firm producing timber barns and stables, protected employees from wood dust exposure.

The company were served with improvement notices requiring them to assess the effectiveness of the local exhaust ventilation (LEV) fitted to a chop saw. They were also instructed to implement additional controls around the use of a table saw.

A later follow up inspection found that the company had failed to take the appropriate steps required to comply with the notices.

As a result they were found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

The company was ordered to pay a fine of £15,000 and legal costs of £4,500.

The investigating HSE inspector stated “Compliance could have been achieved by simply getting a LEV fitted to the circular table saw and getting a competent person to undertake a thorough examination and test of the LEV on the chop saw.”

During 2022/23 the HSE found that 78% of the businesses it inspected were not complying with their responsibility to adequately protect workers from wood dust exposure.

Wood dust can cause serious and irreversible health problems such as asthma, dermatitis, and in extreme cases a rare form of nasal cancer.

Managers responsible for work tasks which generate wood dust must ensure that there are adequate controls in place to protect employees and others from the risks. This includes provision of effective extraction systems in workshops or on-tool extraction to reduce wood dust at source.

Contact Compliance LEV for all you local exhaust ventilation needs. Don’t let this be your company.
https://www.compliancelev.co.uk/contact-us/

New Local Exhaust Ventilation System, HVAC & Vacuum Extract Infrastructure Project completed in Morpeth, Northumberland.

#PiramalMorpeth has now completed a £1.5m Investment in new local exhaust ventilation systems (LEV) and HVAC safe change filters across the site to reduce exposure risk during production and routine LEV/HVAC maintenance tasks. Working with Compliance LEV and Viridis Safety Ltd. we have developed and introduced new combined Technical Testing and Industrial Hygiene assessments carried out with Equipment in Use.

Compliance LEV carried out a comprehensive survey of all existing LEV, HVAC and vacuum extract infrastructure, and used this to create a new LEV portal consisting of an LEV register which hyperlinks each LEV capture point to related intelligent layout drawings, photographs and test results.

Compliance LEV have also delivered the #BOHS endorsed “Local Exhaust Ventilation ‘LEV’ Awareness” training course to more than 50 Piramal staff with more sessions scheduled for 2024.

Big thanks to the #Piramal Engineering and EHS team and also a big shout out to Compliance LEV, Dale Taylor and Viridis Safety Ltd. Rupert Balfry who have been instrumental in delivering this work. Also thanks to ROFLOW Ltd for the equipment installations.

……..High praise indeed from Martin Graham, Director of Engineering, Facilities & IT at Piramal Pharma Solutions, Morpeth.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martin-graham-48402841_piramalmorpeth-bohs-piramal-activity-7185939384917991425-RFu8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

#LEV, #occupationalhygiene, #industrialhygiene, #BOHS, #Containmentimprovements, #HVACSafechangefilters

Contact Compliance LEV Ltd on 01290 823 123 for all your Local Exhaust Ventilation needs. Based in East Ayrshire, Scotland we service the whole of Scotland and the UK. If you have had a HSE visit or you want to pre-empt and ensure your LEV systems are compliant, the only number you need is 01290 823 123.

Due to the continued focus and spot check visits by the HSE inspecting local exhaust ventilation systems across all industries in the Central belt of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, North East Scotland, Central Scottish Highlands and more regions, SME’s are contacting Compliance LEV to ensure they meet the standards set out by HSG 258 and COSHH regulations.

Don’t hesitate, be LEV COMPLIANT….. use COMPLIANCE LEV Ltd.

Blue Steel

I asked asked our site engineers for some good photos today for our LinkedIn and Website and this is what I got back…….

#bluesteel

MS100 LEV Installation.

Ready for its ducting, our Compliance MS 100 system, fully Atex, ready for a hole boring system on wooden casks, wood dust , RCS, light and heavy dusts.

Our MS100 is a great small and low cost LEV option.

New Facility Update – LEV goes Local!

Our new facility in Mauchline, Ayrshire is coming on leaps and bounds. First story storage area underway, creating valuable extra storage for our LEV machines, ducting and spares. A one stop shop for all your company’s local exhaust ventilation needs, be it oil mist, stone dust, weld fume, flour dust.

The guys at Doon Property Maintenance are hammering on…..get it, hammering on!

JW Grant | Builders Merchants | Glasgow, Paisley, Coatbridge, Kilmarnock, Maryhill

Ve-Tech Concrete | Steel Fabrication, Construction, Mixed Concrete (vetech-concrete.co.uk)

Portable Nederman LEV System Service.

Full service of a Portable Nederman System for controlling stone dust, Respirable Crystalline Silica, RCS.  New main filter, New Hepa and crucially the hood has been tested and labelled to show the operator their effective capture distance.  The LEV is only as good as the PPM Schedule and Operator Information Training.  Compliance LEV are BOHS endorsed training providers.

Metalwork, Oil Mist, Stone Dust, Weld Fume, Wood Dust ….. we’ve got the solution. Compliance LEV are committed to keeping you and your Company compliant.

Two new portable weld fume extractors delivered, set up and full training given on capture, positioning, maintenance and compliance of the LEV systems.

Compliance LEV design, install and commission all types of weld fume LEV from brief case sized portable units and centralised systems.

If you want to be compliant use Compliance LEV Ltd.

Weld fume, oil mist, wood dust, stone dust, RCS, Local Exhaust systems.
Portable LEV system for weld fume.
Weld fume extractor,
Local Exhaust ventilation for weld fume

The training undertaken was received with enthusiasm. Compliance LEV are BOHS endorsed training providers for LEV Operator Awareness across the UK via the Compliance Academy.

Training employees on the proper use of LEV equipment
Training employees on the proper use of LEV equipment

HSE Metalworking inspections have started

A very important read: Machinists and metalworking fluid – Work Right to keep Britain safe

Contact Compliance LEV today! Stay compliant.
Health and Safety Executive logo HSE ebulletin
HSE ebulletin Issued: 2 October 2023
Metalworking inspections have started From October until March 2024, HSE will be inspecting manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids or coolants in their machining processes.

Inspectors will be focused on how employers are ensuring workers are protected from exposure to fluid or mist generated by computer numerical control (CNC) machines and that regular health checks are in place.  

There are 3 areas where manufacturing companies, particularly smaller companies, commonly fall down on compliance:
– not having Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
– not completing regular fluid quality checks
– not providing regular health checks for lung and skin conditions. 

Be prepared for inspection Metalworking fluid is a hazardous substance that comes under COSHH regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002).   Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause harm to lungs and skin through inhalation or direct contact with unprotected skin; particularly hands, forearms and face. Breathing in the mist generated by machining can lead to lung diseases such as occupational asthma and occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis.  

To reduce exposure, you need control measures in place. LEV should be fitted on CNC machines to carry away any harmful metalworking fluid mist, which is difficult to see in normal lighting.   Fluid quality should be regularly checked, focusing on concentration, pH, bacteria and contaminants. Fluid systems can become highly contaminated with harmful bacteria.  

Where there is exposure to fluid or mist, it is a legal requirement to carry out health surveillance even when preventative controls are in place. You will need to involve an occupational health professional and workers should be encouraged to report any health symptoms that occur.

Need Help?

Talk to us today to find out how we can help you with your LEV Testing requirements. Either fill in our contact for or call us direct on 01290 823123