COSHH 2002 · LEV

Shot Blast Cabinet Thorough Examination

Independent thorough examination and test of your shot blast cabinet as local exhaust ventilation, by a P601 qualified engineer.

A shot blast cabinet keeps the abrasive and dust inside while the operator reaches in through gloves from the outside, and it relies on a steady inward pull to do it. We carry out LEV testing of shot blast cabinets under COSHH, measuring the extraction and examining the seals that keep the dust in the box.

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  • Independent and impartial
  • Competent engineer surveyors
  • Reports issued promptly
14 monthsLEV testing under COSHH Regulation 9 at least every 14 months
Operator outsideExtraction keeps dust in the cabinet while hands work through gloves
P601Examined by BOHS P601 competent engineer surveyors
HSG258Inward airflow and reverse air pattern measured to the HSE benchmarks
Extraction we test

Why your shot blast cabinet needs LEV testing

A shot blast cabinet is the bench sized cousin of the blast room: a closed enclosure with a viewing window and glove ports, where the operator stands outside and works through the gloves. The extraction holds the cabinet under slight negative pressure so that abrasive and dust stay inside and air is drawn inward through every opening rather than dust escaping outward toward the operator.

Because the operator is outside, the cabinet is a lower risk installation than a walk in room and generally sits on the standard COSHH cycle of at least every 14 months, rather than the shorter interval a blast room attracts. What the test proves is the inward airflow at the door, ports and any leak paths, the reverse pulse or cyclone that separates dust from reusable abrasive, and the integrity of the gloves and window seals that keep the enclosure closed.

Suction blast cabinets
Pressure blast cabinets
Bench top blast cabinets
Cyclone reclaimers
Dust collectors and cartridges
Glove ports and gloves
Viewing windows and seals
Extract fans and ducting
How it works

How we test your shot blast cabinet

Our P601 engineer surveyor measures the inward airflow at the door, glove ports and any leak paths, confirms the cabinet holds negative to its surroundings, examines the gloves and window seals for wear and leaks, checks the cyclone reclaimer and dust collector, and verifies the extract fan duty, recording each reading against the HSG258 benchmarks.

  • 1

    Measure the inward pull

    Airflow at the door and ports is measured to confirm dust is drawn in, not pushed out toward the operator.

  • 2

    Examine the seals and gloves

    Window seals, door seals and gloves are examined, since a split glove or perished seal lets dust straight out at working height.

  • 3

    Report and set the date

    The LEV test report records measured data, a verdict, photographs and the next test date, filed in your SEIS portal.

Why businesses choose SEIS

  • P601 surveyors who test the cabinet on its correct 14 month cycle
  • Inward airflow measured at every opening, not just at the fan
  • Glove, window and door seal integrity examined item by item
  • Reports and 14 month reminders through the SEIS client portal
What we test

Shot blast cabinet: what a thorough examination and test covers

Inward airflow

The cabinet must draw air in at every opening so dust cannot escape toward the operator. Airflow is measured at the door and ports, not just at the extract.

Glove and window seals

A split glove or a leaking window seal releases dust at working height. Gloves, window gaskets and door seals are examined individually for wear and leaks.

Cyclone reclaimer

The reclaimer that separates dust from reusable abrasive drives the whole airflow balance. Its condition and separation are examined as part of the system.

Dust collector cartridges

Loaded cartridges choke the extraction and let dust build in the cabinet. Cartridge loading, cleaning and housing seals are assessed at the collector.

Extract fan duty

The fan sets the inward velocity that contains the dust, and it drifts as cartridges load. Its duty is measured against design rather than presumed.

Leak paths

Worn access doors, media top up hatches and cable entries all leak dust outward. The examination hunts the leak paths a fan reading alone would never reveal.

Intervals and certification

How often, and what you receive

Every shot blast cabinet receives an LEV test report under COSHH Regulation 9, prepared by a P601 competent person against the HSG258 benchmarks. It records the measured inward airflow at each opening, the condition of gloves, seals, reclaimer and collector, a pass or fail verdict, photographs and the next test date, at most 14 months away. All reports are held in your SEIS client portal for audits, insurers and inspectors.

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

Shot blast cabinet 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

Shot blast cabinet testing: common questions

Does a shot blast cabinet need LEV testing?
Yes. A cabinet that uses extraction to contain abrasive dust is local exhaust ventilation under COSHH, and Regulation 9 requires a thorough examination and test at least every 14 months by a competent person.
Is a cabinet tested as often as a blast room?
Usually no. Because the operator works from outside, a cabinet is lower risk and generally sits on the standard 14 month cycle, whereas a walk in room the operator stands inside often needs 6 monthly testing. Blast rooms are covered on our shot blast booth thorough examination page.
What is measured on a cabinet?
The inward airflow at the door, glove ports and leak paths, whether the cabinet holds negative to the room, and the condition of gloves, seals, the cyclone reclaimer and the dust collector, all against HSG258.
Why does inward airflow matter more than extract volume?
Because containment depends on air moving inward at every opening. A cabinet can pull a healthy volume overall and still leak dust outward at a worn port, which is why airflow is measured at the openings themselves.
Do the gloves get examined?
Yes, individually. A split or perished glove releases dust at the operator's working height, so gloves, window seals and door seals are each examined for wear and leaks.
Who carries out the test?
A competent person meeting the HSG258 criteria, which the HSE links to BOHS training such as P601. Our LEV surveyors hold that competence.
Where do these duties come from?
From COSHH 2002, with the examination duty in Regulation 9 and the method in HSG258. HSE guidance on LEV examination sets out the requirement, and our COSHH regulations guide explains the test, intervals and records.
How do I book a shot blast cabinet examination?
Call 0330 043 8191 or use the contact form with the number and type of cabinets. We test single cabinets and whole workshops, and set the 14 month cycle for you.

Is your shot blast cabinet 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