Client Overview
Cheshire Joinery Services is a bespoke timber manufacturer based in the North West of England, producing high-quality hardwood and softwood windows, doors, and frames.
Daily workshop operations — including cutting, machining, sanding, and spray finishing — generate significant levels of airborne wood dust and paint emissions. To protect employees and maintain legal compliance, the business relies on multiple local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems and industrial dust extraction units.
The Challenge
To comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, Regulation 9, all LEV systems were due their statutory 14-month Thorough Examination and Test (TExT).
The facility operated four extraction systems requiring formal LEV testing in Cheshire:
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Three wood dust extraction systems serving saws, planers, and sanding machinery
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One spray booth LEV system for water-based paint applications
Wood dust is classified as a hazardous substance with strict Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs). Failure of extraction systems can lead to respiratory risk, enforcement action, and production disruption.
The client required:
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A competent LEV testing company
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Full COSHH-compliant inspection and reporting
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Minimal disruption to workshop productivity
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Clear confirmation of compliance status
Our Solution
We carried out a comprehensive programme of COSHH-compliant LEV testing and dust extraction inspection across all four systems.
Our assessment included:
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Detailed inspection of ductwork, joints, and system integrity
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Airflow measurement and volumetric flow rate testing
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Hood capture performance verification at woodworking machines
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Filter condition assessment and discharge evaluation
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Spray booth performance testing, including dual-stage filtration checks
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Review of system condition, maintenance standards, and control effectiveness
Each system was evaluated against COSHH Regulation 9 requirements to confirm effective control of airborne contaminants at source.
Comprehensive documentation was provided, including:
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Measured technical performance data
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Compliance confirmation
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Observations on system condition
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Practical improvement recommendations
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Clear next-test scheduling in line with the 14-month LEV requirement
The Result
All four LEV systems demonstrated satisfactory performance at the time of testing, confirming effective control of wood dust and finishing vapours.
Although compliant, we identified targeted improvement opportunities to:
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Optimise airflow efficiency
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Strengthen preventative maintenance planning
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Extend system service life
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Reduce long-term compliance risk
The client now benefits from fully documented LEV compliance in Cheshire, audit-ready reporting, and increased confidence that their woodworking dust extraction systems are protecting staff and meeting regulatory standards.
If your joinery workshop, woodworking facility, spray booth, or manufacturing site is approaching its 14-month LEV Thorough Examination and Test, our qualified engineers provide nationwide LEV testing, dust extraction inspection, and COSHH compliance services.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and ensure your extraction systems remain fully compliant, efficient, and legally certified.
Is your LEV system due a Thorough Examination and Test? Contact us today.