Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is an engineering control that can be used in minimising staff exposure to occupational hazards such as harmful fumes, dust and other airborne contaminants generated by commercial and industrial processes.
LEV uses air movement to arrest and remove contaminated air. The air may be laden with gas, dust, mist, vapour, fumes and other airborne contaminants. The system is required to control and remove the contaminated air before it can get into the breathing zone of the operator or others nearby. The contaminated air must also be disposed of safely.