Cheshire Joinery Services is a leading bespoke timber manufacturer in the North West of England, producing high-quality hardwood and softwood windows, doors and frames for the construction industry.
Its manufacturing processes—including cutting, machining, sanding and spray finishing—generate significant levels of wood dust and paint vapours. To protect employees and comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, the business relies on multiple Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and dust extraction systems to control airborne contaminants at source.
The Challenge
The company’s LEV systems were approaching their statutory 14-month Thorough Examination & Test (TExT) under COSHH Regulation 9, requiring independent inspection to verify continued performance and legal compliance.
The site operated:
- Three wood dust extraction systems serving saws, planers and sanding machinery.
- One spray booth LEV system used for water-based paint applications.
Because hardwood and softwood dust are hazardous substances with defined Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), maintaining effective extraction is essential to protect employee health, reduce exposure risks and satisfy regulatory requirements.
The customer required:
- Independent LEV testing by qualified engineers
- Comprehensive COSHH-compliant inspection and reporting
- Minimal disruption to production
- Clear recommendations to maintain long-term compliance
Our Solution
Our engineers carried out a complete LEV Thorough Examination & Test (TExT) across all four extraction systems, assessing both system performance and control effectiveness in accordance with HSG258 and COSHH Regulation 9.
The inspection included:
- Airflow measurement and volumetric flow testing
- Hood capture velocity testing at woodworking machinery
- Ductwork and extraction system integrity inspections
- Filter and discharge performance assessment
- Spray booth airflow and filtration checks
- Mechanical condition and maintenance review
Following testing, we provided a detailed compliance report containing measured performance data, system observations, maintenance recommendations and confirmation of the next statutory inspection date.
The Result
All four LEV systems demonstrated satisfactory performance, confirming effective control of wood dust and finishing vapours throughout the facility.
Our assessment also identified several opportunities to further improve extraction performance and support long-term reliability, including preventative maintenance recommendations to optimise airflow efficiency and extend equipment life.
The project provided Cheshire Joinery Services with:
- Verified compliance with COSHH Regulation 9
- Independent LEV testing and certification
- Improved confidence in workplace air quality
- Practical maintenance recommendations to reduce future risk
- Audit-ready documentation for regulatory inspections
By helping the customer maintain compliant, high-performing wood dust extraction systems, we supported a safer working environment while reducing the risk of unplanned downtime and future compliance issues.
Is your LEV system due a Thorough Examination and Test? Contact us today.