Welding Hoods – LEV Thorough Examinations

Welding Hood’s and Soldering Hood’s Within Industry

Welding hoods and soldering hoods Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems are essential engineering controls designed to protect workers from hazardous fumes, gases, and particulates generated during hot work processes. Welding and soldering both produce airborne contaminants that can present serious health risks if inhaled, including metal fumes, flux vapours, ozone, and nitrogen oxides. Effective LEV systems are therefore critical for controlling exposure at source and ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation.

Welding hood LEV systems are typically designed to capture welding fume directly at or near the arc, before it can disperse into the welder’s breathing zone. These systems may take the form of fixed hoods, adjustable capture arms, or partial enclosures positioned close to the workpiece. Their effectiveness depends heavily on correct hood positioning, sufficient airflow, and appropriate hood design to overcome the thermal updraft created by hot welding fumes. Poor positioning or inadequate airflow can significantly reduce capture efficiency, even if the system is switched on.

Soldering hood LEV systems are used to control fumes produced by heated solder and fluxes, which can include rosin-based particulates and irritant vapours. These systems are often smaller and more localised than welding extraction, commonly using bench-mounted hoods or flexible arms positioned close to the soldering point. Although soldering fumes may appear less visible than welding fumes, they can still cause respiratory irritation and long-term health effects, making effective local capture just as important.

Both welding and soldering LEV systems rely on adequate airflow, sound ductwork, effective filtration, and well-maintained fans to function correctly. Filters must be suitable for the contaminants being captured, and airflow must be sufficient to maintain capture velocities at the hood face. Blocked filters, damaged ducting, or worn fans can all compromise system performance and increase exposure risk without being immediately obvious to operators.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, welding and soldering LEV systems must be properly maintained and thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months by a competent person. This statutory examination verifies that the system continues to control exposure effectively and provides documented evidence of compliance. When correctly designed, used, and regularly examined, welding and soldering hood LEV systems play a vital role in protecting worker health and supporting safe, legally compliant hot work operations.

What’s covered during your SEIS Thorough Examination.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what is covered during an inspection and testing of a Welding Hood, in accordance with COSHH2002 Regulation 9 . The purpose is to ensure the system is safe, serviceable, and fit for purpose. Below is an in depth description of how your equipment is thoroughly examined;

LEV Inspection Procedure

A COSHH 2002 LEV inspection of a welding hood LEV system—formally known as a thorough examination and test—is carried out to confirm that the system is effectively controlling exposure to hazardous welding fumes at source. Welding fumes are now recognised as a serious health risk, making the performance of extraction systems a key enforcement focus for the HSE.

Below is a clear overview of what is covered during a statutory LEV inspection of a welding hood system;

Airflow and Capture Effectiveness at the Hood

The inspection focuses heavily on whether the hood can capture welding fume before it enters the welder’s breathing zone. This includes:

  • Measuring air velocity at the hood opening

  • Assessing capture effectiveness against thermal updraft from hot fumes

  • Checking hood size, shape, and position relative to the workpiece

  • Identifying dead zones or turbulence that reduce capture efficiency

If the hood is poorly positioned or airflow is inadequate, even a well-maintained system may fail to control exposure.

Hood Design, Condition, and Positioning

The competent person will assess the welding hood itself, including:

  • Physical condition (damage, corrosion, distortion)

  • Suitability of the hood design for the welding process

  • Ease of correct positioning by the operator

  • Evidence of fume escape during normal use

Operator behaviour and practical usability are key considerations, as poorly designed systems are often bypassed.

Ductwork, Fans, and Mechanical Integrity

The inspection includes examination of the mechanical components that support airflow, such as:

  • Ductwork condition, leakage, or blockages

  • Integrity of joints, seals, and access doors

  • Extract fan condition, speed, and performance

  • Signs of vibration, wear, or corrosion

Any deterioration that could reduce airflow or lead to system failure is recorded.

Filtration and Discharge Arrangements

Where filtration is used, the inspection checks:

  • Filter type and suitability for welding fume

  • Filter condition, loading, and sealing

  • Evidence of bypass or leakage

  • Safe discharge of extracted air

Poor filtration can allow hazardous particulates to re-enter the workplace or external environment.

System Controls, Indicators, and Safety Features

The inspector will verify that system controls are functioning correctly, including:

  • On/off controls and interlocks (where fitted)

  • Airflow indicators, pressure gauges, or warning devices

  • Labelling and identification of the LEV system

These features help ensure operators can identify reduced performance or system failure.

Comparison Against Design or Benchmark Data

Test results are compared against:

  • Original commissioning data (where available)

  • Manufacturer specifications

  • Recognised industry guidance and HSE benchmarks

This confirms whether the system still meets its intended performance standard.

Suitability for Current Welding Processes

The inspection considers whether:

  • The type of welding has changed (e.g. MIG, TIG, MMA)

  • Materials or consumables have altered

  • Fume generation levels have increased

Process changes are a common reason for previously compliant systems becoming ineffective.

Documentation and Statutory Reporting

Finally, a written report of thorough examination and test is produced, including:

  • Test methods and results

  • Identification of defects or performance issues

  • Clear conclusions on system effectiveness

  • Required remedial actions and timescales

This report is a legal requirement under COSHH and must be retained and made available to enforcing authorities.

 Summary

An LEV Thorough Examination ensures that the system is safe, compliant, and fit for use. It helps prevent accidents and work place illnesses caused by poorly maintained, or poorly operating systems. While it does not replace regular maintenance, PUWER and LEV (COSHH2002) inspections are a crucial legal requirement for keeping your working operations safe and avoiding costly breakdowns or incidents.

Why Welding Hood Thorough Examinations Matter For You & Your Business. 

Why COSHH2002 Thorough Examinations Of LEV Systems Matter

COSHH2002 LEV thorough examinations are a legal requirement in the UK for all Local Exhaust Ventilation equipment used at work, and for good reason. These inspections ensure that LEV equipment, such as fume cupboard, receiving hoods, spray booths, and captor hoods are safe to use, and fit for purpose. The environments of LEV equipment is required means that equipment failure can lead to catastrophic consequences, including serious injury, respiratory issues, work place illness and in the long term, fatalities. By carrying out regular, scheduled thorough examinations by a competent person, businesses can identify wear and tear, structural damage of ducting, or faulty mechanisms before they result in an incident.

Pros of Getting an LEV Thorough Examination in line with COSHH2002

Legal Compliance and Risk Reduction: The most obvious advantage is staying compliant with health and safety law. Compliance avoids potential legal action, fines, or even prosecution. More importantly, it drastically reduces the risk of workplace accidents caused by lifting equipment failure.

Improved Safety Culture: Regular inspections foster a proactive safety culture within the organisation. Employees are more likely to trust equipment and feel safe in their work environment when they know thorough checks are in place.

 Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regularly maintained and inspected equipment typically lasts longer. Examinations can identify early signs of damage or fatigue, allowing for preventative maintenance that avoids costly replacements or repairs.

 Insurance and Liability Protection: Insurers may require evidence of LOLER compliance in the event of an incident. Without valid inspection records, insurance claims could be denied or reduced, leaving the business liable for damages.

 Operational Efficiency: Detecting potential issues before they lead to equipment failure helps prevent unscheduled downtime. This keeps operations running smoothly and avoids the knock-on effects of delayed projects or interrupted workflows.

Cons of Failing to Carry Out COSHH2002 LEV Thorough Examinations

 Legal and Financial Consequences: Failing to comply with COSHH2002 can result in enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or even prosecution. Legal battles and associated costs can be financially crippling.

 Increased Risk of Accidents: Equipment that hasn’t been thoroughly examined is far more likely to fail. Such failures can lead to injuries or fatalities, particularly in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing. Beyond the human cost, the reputational damage to a business can be severe and long-lasting.

 Higher Repair and Replacement Costs: Neglecting inspections can allow minor issues to develop into major faults. These may require costly emergency repairs or complete equipment replacement, expenses that could have been avoided through routine examinations.

 Loss of Business and Clients: Clients often expect their contractors or suppliers to uphold strict safety standards. A failure to meet legal obligations like COSHH2002 can result in lost contracts or blacklisting from future work, especially in regulated industries.

 Increased Insurance Premiums or Invalidated Coverage: As mentioned, insurers may increase premiums or deny coverage entirely if a business can't provide evidence of up-to-date COSHH2002 compliance, placing a heavier financial burden on operations.

LEV thorough examinations aren’t just a box-ticking exercise - they are an essential component of a responsible, safety-first approach to using lifting equipment. The benefits of compliance are wide-ranging, from protecting human life to reducing costs and maintaining operational integrity. Conversely, the risks of neglecting these inspections can be devastating on multiple levels.

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