LEV – How Do You Buy Your Extraction Equipment?

Research undertaken by HSE and feedback from stakeholders suggests that businesses, particularly small businesses, can find it difficult to buy extraction systems (often called local exhaust ventilation systems or LEV for short) that protect workers from harmful substances. HSE is exploring a number of ways to help SMEs buy extraction systems that are both effective and provide value for money.  One of the ways that they are looking to provide this support is by developing a simple tool that guides employers through the process of buying LEV. We are collecting views for a formal response to the HSE on the following points and would be grateful for your feedback:  – Whether a tool (perhaps a checklist or something similar) is something that you would use to help you buy LEV;
– Even if SMEs don’t necessarily use extraction systems HSE would be very interested to hear about how they go about buying other pieces of relatively complex machinery or kit;
– What tools do you use to help choose something appropriate and where would you look for help? Views on what the tool could be (checklist, flow charts, cartoon strip etc how it could be accessed and what level of detail it would need, would also be appreciated. Please send your views/comments by email to Michael Lee at the BWF –