COSHH is an acronym for theControl of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation. Enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), COSHH protects employees from exposure to toxic or harmful substances in the workplace, mandating that employers install adequate control measures. It covers fumes,dusts, vapours, mists, gases and biological agents, encompassing elimination and PPE measures, including LEV systems, masks, gloves, and exposure control. COSHH also sets the standard for routine employee health checks, education, and emergency plans.

Fume extraction describes using specialist machinery to withdraw harmful chemicals, fumes and particles from an industrial or commercial working environment. From welding to manufacturing environments, installing fume extraction LEV systems is a legal requirement for employers to minimise health hazards and create safe workplaces.

LEV systems specialised for fume extraction use hoods and arms positioned close to the fume source, employing fans to suck the contaminated air into a ducting system. Theducting systemleads to a connector unit, which uses specialised particulate and carbon filters to trap solid particles and fine dust and absorb gaseous compounds. The clean air is then expelled outside or returned to the room, depending on whether you have a ducted or recirculating system.

The industries which require fume extraction systems include:
- Metalworking and Fabrication 
- Electronics
- Assembly
- Automotive and Vehicle Repair
- Pharmaceutical
- Manufacturing
-Woodworking- Food and Beverage.

These industries involve some degree of welding, soldering, solvent use, boiling, laser cutting, sanding, and deep frying. These processes create asthmagens, fine dusts, VOCs, poisonous gases, and carcinogens, which can be fatally detrimental to health in particular quantities.

LEV extraction systems are highly customisable to suit the requirements of your facility perfectly. No matter how extensive the ducting, the number of hoods you need, and the spatial limitations of your warehouse, effective extraction system design is possible.

Contact Extractlyto speak with an expert and discover how far your bespoke extraction system design can go.

Extractly supplies andinstallsindustrial fume extraction systems to facilities across the UK. We sourcematerials, design your ducting, install the entire system and conduct routinemaintenance, providing an unbeatable end-to-end service. We also offer our services, includingLEV testing, to systems we had no prior involvement with, to ensure your system works efficiently and effectively.

Industrial paint fumes are harmful because, as they dry, they release Volatile Organic Compounds in a process named off-gassing. Unless specifically labelled otherwise, all solvent, oil and water-based paints include some concentration of VOCs, which include Toluene, Xylene, Benzene, Formaldehyde, and Acetone. Oil and solvent-based paints incorporate the highest volume of VOCs.

As a result, they provide the most inflated risk for health problems. VOCs are used in paint to inhibit mould and bacterial growth, control viscosity, encourage adhesion and aid in drying. But, when applied in indoor or poorly ventilated environments, they can cause organ damage, respiratory diseases, neurological damage and cancer after extended periods of exposure.

Spray painting without adequate defence through respiratory protection or a specialised LEV system can cause hazards to the health of those in proximity and the working environment. To spray paint, it must undergo high-velocity compression, which, when exiting the nozzle, transforms the liquid paint into a fine mist.

This VOC, pigment and resin-rich mist is highly inhalable and easily settles on exposed skin and eyes when oversprayed. These compounds can cause severe skin irritation, liver and kidney damage, chemical burns and even increase the risk of cancer. Aside from medical conditions, spray painting releases highly flammable vapours into the air, increasing ignition potential by something as minute as static electricity or a hot surface.

Spray booth extraction systems use powerful fans to draw air filled with paint droplets into a filtration andducting network. Once the air is in the ducting, it passes through several multi-layer fibreglass or concertina paper filters. These filters trap large and small overspray paint particles and up to 90% of solvent fumes. In recirculating systems, the filters prevent the redistribution of hazardous particles back into the workshop.

Although not designed for this purpose, spray booth extraction systems also pull dust, first, and other non-hazardous particles, freeing the painted surface from contamination. Despite this, a spray booth extraction system is not interchangeable with a specialisedDust Extraction System. You must use specific extraction systems for their intended application to ensure safety and compliance.

Extractly supplies andinstallsspray booth extraction systems to workshops across the UK. We sourcematerials, design your ducting, install the entire system and conduct routinemaintenance, providing an unbeatable end-to-end service. We also offer our services, includingLEV testing, to systems we had no prior involvement with, to ensure your system works efficiently and effectively.