COSHH 2002 · LEV

Downdraught bench testing and examination

Independent thorough examination and test of your downdraught bench as local exhaust ventilation, by a P601 qualified engineer.

A downdraught bench pulls dust down through its worktop and away from the person leaning over it. The test that matters is whether it pulls evenly across the whole surface, because a strong middle and weak corners is how a bench passes a glance and fails the work.

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  • Independent and impartial
  • Competent engineer surveyors
  • Reports issued promptly
Downward captureDust drawn down through the worktop, away from the face
Across the whole topCapture measured at points over the surface, not one
Recirculating filtersOften returns cleaned air, so filter condition counts
Every 14 monthsThe COSHH maximum for most benches
Extraction we test

Why your downdraught bench needs LEV testing

A downdraught bench controls dust and fume by pulling air down through a perforated worktop into a plenum below, so the contaminant is drawn away from the breathing zone of the person leaning over the work. It is used for grinding, sanding, buffing, deburring and weighing, wherever a part can be brought to the bench. Because it is local exhaust ventilation, COSHH requires it to be thoroughly examined and tested rather than simply assumed to be working.

The difficulty with a bench is evenness. A large worktop is hard to keep at the same capture velocity from edge to edge, and baffles behind the plenum are there to balance it out. A worn fan or a loaded filter leaves dead spots where the air barely moves, so the test measures capture across the whole surface and uses a dust lamp or smoke to see where the air actually goes. How the bench is used matters too, since a part worked in a weak corner is not being protected, whatever the average reading says.

Capture velocity across the worktop
Perforated top and open area
Plenum and baffle balance
Internal filter condition
Fan performance and airflow
Spark trays where fitted
Airflow indicator if fitted
Logbook and previous readings
How it works

How we test your downdraught bench

We measure the capture velocity at a grid of points across the worktop, so a weak corner shows up instead of being hidden by a strong centre, and compare the spread against the bench's design figures. We use a dust lamp or smoke to see where the air is actually moving, check the filter and fan, and watch how the bench is used, since a part worked in a dead zone is not being protected.

  • 1

    Map the surface

    We take capture velocity across a grid of points on the worktop, not a single reading, to find any weak area.

  • 2

    See the airflow

    A dust lamp or smoke shows where the air really goes and whether the whole top is working.

  • 3

    Examine and record

    We check the filter, fan and spark trays, note how the bench is used, then label it and report.

Why businesses choose SEIS

  • P601 qualified | Tested by an engineer qualified in LEV thorough examination and test.
  • The whole top | Capture measured across the worktop, so a dead corner cannot hide behind a strong centre.
  • Airflow you can see | A dust lamp or smoke check shows where the air goes, not just what a meter reads.
  • Plain report | The readings, the verdict and any remedial work, in language you can act on.
What we test

Downdraught bench: what a thorough examination and test covers

Strong centre, weak corners

A bench can pull hard in the middle and barely at the edges. Mapping the whole top is the only way to find the corner where a part sits unprotected.

The filter is the usual culprit

On a recirculating bench a loaded filter quietly starves the airflow. Capture falls across the top long before anyone notices the bench feels weaker.

Down and away from the face

The bench works because the dust goes down, not past the nose. The pull falls off quickly with height above the worktop, so a part held high or worked at the back can leave the breathing zone in the dust cloud.

Sparks need somewhere to go

Grinding throws hot sparks into the plenum. Spark trays and multi stage protection keep them out of a filter that may be packed with combustible dust.

Recirculating means breathing it again

Cleaned air is returned to the room, so a failed filter does not just cut capture, it puts dust back into the air people breathe.

Where the meter and the lamp disagree

A reading can look acceptable while a dust lamp shows the cloud drifting sideways. Seeing the airflow catches what a single number misses.

Intervals and certification

How often, and what you receive

A downdraught bench used for routine dust or fume work is thoroughly examined and tested at least every fourteen months, and more often where the dust is hazardous or the bench is worked hard. The test checks that capture is still even across the worktop, against the performance the bench was built to give.

14 monthsThe usual maximum interval for a thorough examination and test
MeasuredAirflow and capture tested at every hood, not just the fan
P601Examined by an engineer qualified in LEV testing
ReportedMeasured data and any remedial actions, in writing

You receive an LEV test report with the measured performance and any remedial actions, the record COSHH requires.

Full statutory cover

Part of our full COSHH inspection service

Downdraught bench is one of the many kinds of equipment we cover. We inspect the full range, across every sector, as an independent provider, one item or a whole site, anywhere in the UK.

See our full COSHH inspection service
Other services

Other statutory inspections we carry out

Many sites run more than one regime. We can examine all of it, under one independent provider.

LOLER inspectionThorough examination and certification of lifting equipment and accessories. PUWER inspectionInspection of work equipment against the five PUWER duties, with a written record. PSSR examinationWritten Schemes and certified examination of pressure systems.
COSHH FAQs

Downdraught bench testing: common questions

How often does a downdraught bench need testing?
At least every fourteen months under COSHH Regulation 9, and sooner where the dust is hazardous or the bench is in heavy use. The HSE sets the expectation in its guidance on local exhaust ventilation.
Why measure across the whole worktop?
Because capture is rarely even. A bench can pull hard in the centre and weakly at the edges, so we map a grid of points to find any corner where a part would sit unprotected.
What is a downdraught bench used for?
Grinding, sanding, buffing, deburring and weighing, wherever a part can be brought to the bench and the dust or fume can be drawn down and away from the operator. Some benches also collect coolant mist where light machining is done at the surface.
Does the filter affect the test?
On a recirculating bench, very much so. A loaded filter starves the airflow and drops capture across the whole top, and it also returns dust to the room, so filter condition is central to the result.
Do you check the spark protection?
Yes. Where grinding throws sparks into the plenum we check the spark trays and any multi stage protection, since hot sparks reaching a dust laden filter are a fire risk.
What do I receive after the test?
An LEV test report with the capture readings, the verdict and any remedial actions, plus a dated label on the bench. The duties behind it are set out in our guide to COSHH.
Can you test benches with internal recirculating filters?
Yes. We judge them on filter condition and capture across the top, and on whether the air being returned to the room is genuinely clean.
How do I book a downdraught bench test?
Call us on 0330 043 8191 and we will arrange a visit, map the worktop and have your report with you within a few days.

Is your downdraught bench due an LEV test?

Talk to an engineer surveyor, get a quote and book your inspection anywhere in the UK.

0330 043 8191 Request a quote