Recent HSE figures show that more than a million people are being made ill by their work, with new cases of work related illness costing UK society £9.3 billion in 2014/2015.
Injury and ill health statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive show that an estimated 25.9 million working days were lost due to work related ill health in 2015/16. (Read More)
It is estimated that 13,000 deaths each year are linked to past exposures at work, primarily to chemicals and dust. With an estimated 1.3 million people suffering from a work related illness and a steady increase in fines and prosecutions to companies, it’s time that companies realise it makes economic as well as legal sense to ensure their employees are protected from harmful substances that can cause ill health. The best way to achieve this is via the installation and thorough testing and maintenance of LEV systems.
Self reported non fatal injuries have generally fallen over the last 10 years, but 14,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems are reported annually and the right LEV system could reduce this number.
A costly process?
While the cost of the correct LEV system can seem high, the right LEV system can help to increase employees attendance by reducing the time they take off for ill health – not to mention that a healthier workforce will also be a happier one.
It is vital too to choose the right supplier or the money you invest could be wasted if the system does not meet HSE standards and you end up having to change or even replace it.
Choosing an LEV supplier
When choosing a company for a new LEV system or a company to service and test an LEV system, make sure that you check the guarantees being offered by all the suppliers that you have quote and that they GUARANTEE to:
- Meet HSE regulations
- Reduce exposure to 1/10th WEL level where it exists
- Provide you with all the necessary documentation as standard
The HSE is very clear about an employer’s responsibility to reduce the risk of harm to ‘as low as is reasonably practicable’
This means:
- All control measures must be in good working order.
- Exposures are below the Workplace Exposure Limit, where one exists.
- Exposure to substances that cause cancer, asthma or genetic damage is reduced to as low a level as possible.
If the company quoting cannot guarantee that any system installed will meet HSE recommendations, then look elsewhere.
It is a legal requirement that a new LEV system is commissioned and has been tested properly - so why is it that some companies consider these to be ‘extras’ and charge separately for them. A system should have commissioning reports and an LEV log book.
At the heart of any LEV system there is one basic need – to improve your workplace environment and thus improving your workforces wellbeing.
Adrian Sims is Director of Vent-Tech, one of the country’s leading consultants and providers of environmental control systems.
For more information please visit:
www.vent-tech.co.uk
