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Compliance LEV News

HSE Metalworking inspections have started

A very important read: Machinists and metalworking fluid – Work Right to keep Britain safe

Contact Compliance LEV today! Stay compliant.
Health and Safety Executive logo HSE ebulletin
HSE ebulletin Issued: 2 October 2023
Metalworking inspections have started From October until March 2024, HSE will be inspecting manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids or coolants in their machining processes.

Inspectors will be focused on how employers are ensuring workers are protected from exposure to fluid or mist generated by computer numerical control (CNC) machines and that regular health checks are in place.  

There are 3 areas where manufacturing companies, particularly smaller companies, commonly fall down on compliance:
– not having Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
– not completing regular fluid quality checks
– not providing regular health checks for lung and skin conditions. 

Be prepared for inspection Metalworking fluid is a hazardous substance that comes under COSHH regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002).   Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause harm to lungs and skin through inhalation or direct contact with unprotected skin; particularly hands, forearms and face. Breathing in the mist generated by machining can lead to lung diseases such as occupational asthma and occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis.  

To reduce exposure, you need control measures in place. LEV should be fitted on CNC machines to carry away any harmful metalworking fluid mist, which is difficult to see in normal lighting.   Fluid quality should be regularly checked, focusing on concentration, pH, bacteria and contaminants. Fluid systems can become highly contaminated with harmful bacteria.  

Where there is exposure to fluid or mist, it is a legal requirement to carry out health surveillance even when preventative controls are in place. You will need to involve an occupational health professional and workers should be encouraged to report any health symptoms that occur.

Breaking Ground.

Exciting times ahead for Compliance LEV as we start our journey on the road to our new premises’ in Mauchline, East Ayrshire.

In a significant stride towards expansion and growth Compliance LEV is excited to announce that work has started on our new warehouse and office facility in Mauchline East Ayrshire. This exiting development marks a pivotal moment for the company as it gears up to better service it’s clients and accommodate its rapidly expanding operations in Scotland and the UK.

New local exhaust factory in Mauchline Scotland

Bespoke LEV Solution for a Plastics Extrusion Client.

Compliance LEV engineers completed a fantastic install for a plastics extrusion client with fume coming from the rolling process. These canopies swing out to allow access to the heated rollers. A great job, on time, to budget and controlling contaminant at source.

Do you need a bespoke solution for a duct or fume, Contact Compliance LEV

Compliance LEV Local Exhaust Ventilation install for a plastics extrusion client with fume coming from the rolling process.

Heat loss reduced dramatically: a by–product of our LEV design.

Another successful quarterly water change, clean and service for 4 wet collectors for our client.  These systems return air back to the workplace and therefore reduce site emissions by circa 10,000m3/hr.  The clients heat loss is reduced dramatically as a by-product of great LEV design.

Do you need to reduce your costs of ownership and operating your LEV systems?  We are the industry leader in bespoke energy reducing solutions on all types of LEV. If you want to be LEV compliant, best use Compliance LEV.

On target for 90% growth. Oil Mist Solution powers Compliance LEV towards another spectacular year.

A Scottish firm which is helping manufacturers cut costs, dramatically reduce energy usage and improve health in the workplace is on target to achieve a remarkable 90% growth rate in the 12 months to June this year.

The spectacular growth trajectory by Ayrshire-based Compliance LEV, which specialises in Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), comes on the heels of a similar stand-out performance in the year to June 2022, in which it increased revenues by 75%.

The accelerating rate of expansion has prompted the six-year-old specialist to start work on a new factory to meet demand, which is expected to be ready around the time in the summer that it confirms its results.

Growth has been catalysed by Compliance LEV’s development of a revolutionary Oil Mist Solution for CNC machines such as drills, lathes, mills and grinders which cuts power consumption by between 47% and 68%.

Founder Kevin Simmonds said: “The rocketing costs of energy, and the global threats to its availability over the past year, have focused everyone’s minds on security of energy supply as well as finding every possible avenue to reduce consumption.

“The enormous savings which we have demonstrated, and independently verified on more than 200 installations, have clearly caught the attention of the CNC sector and have driven unprecedented levels of new business our way.

“As a consequence, we are absolutely confident that the 90% growth rate will be achieved and that we will be able to continue serving a market which is rapidly expanding, driven by efficiency imperatives and new areas of enterprise.”

Oil Mist filtration captures the mist and fumes from metalworking fluids used as lubricants or coolants which otherwise could create a health hazard, coat machinery and damage the environment if released into the atmosphere.

Compliance LEV’s solution results in an 80% reduction in CNC machine downtime and a 90% reduction in filters which would otherwise be going to landfill. Clients are seeing a one- to two-year return on their investment.

Founded in 2017, the company has specialised for the last six years in testing and maintaining systems and reviewing customer facilities for compliance with LEV regulations. It incorporates a design review into its examination and test phase and its project team rectifies any non-compliance.

As well as extraction for the metalworking industry, it deals with wood dust, titanium dust, chemicals, respirable crystalline silica, soldering, organic and weld fumes. It works with some of the UK’s largest engineering and pharmaceutical companies and also has clients in sectors as diverse as food production, paper manufacturing, quarrying and aerospace.

A version of this story has appeared in the following publications:

https://highgrowth.scot/remarkable-growth-at-ayrshire-ventilation-business/

https://www.machinery.co.uk/content/news/oil-mist-filtration-specialist-compliance-lev-powers-on

https://www.industrial-compliance.co.uk/oil-mist-solution-powers-compliance-lev-towards-another-spectacular-year/

https://www.uk-manufacturing-online.co.uk/out-of-the-mist-clear-savings-for-manufacturers-as-new-system-from-scottish-exhaust-ventilation-specialist-brings-stellar-results/

Ayrshire ventilation specialist on track for 90% growth rate | Project Scotland

Out of the mist. Clear savings for manufacturers as new system from Scottish exhaust ventilation specialist brings stellar results.

At a time when energy and security of energy supply is high on government agendas, an innovative and fast-growing Scottish company has created a new system which not only dramatically reduces energy use in manufacturing, but also protects workforce health.

Ayrshire-based Compliance LEV, which specialises in Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), has developed an Oil Mist Solution for CNC machines such as drills, lathes, mills and grinders which cuts power consumption by between 47% and 68%.

Oil Mist filtration captures the mist and fumes from metalworking fluids used as lubricants or coolants which otherwise could create a health hazard, coat machinery and damage the environment if released into the atmosphere.

The process, independently verified on more than 200 installations, has been so successful that Compliance LEV is now building a new factory – scheduled to open this summer – to cope with the surge in demand.

Founder Kevin Simmonds, a highly-experienced management consultant and change specialist, said: “We have been industry leaders in dust and fume extraction for some time now and have helped innumerable companies reduce their costs and meet their legal obligations under HSE guidance.

“However, even we were surprised at the efficiency of the new Oil Mist System. We expected good results but we all raised our eyebrows when the data verified how large the savings were. Clients are seeing a one- to two-year return on their investment.

“Moreover, as well as the remarkable energy savings, the process results in an 80% reduction in CNC machine downtime and a 90% reduction in filters which would otherwise be going to landfill.”

The global CNC machine market value was $96.4 billion in 2021, according to Precedence Research, and is projected to hit around $153.8 billion by 2030, driven by efficiency imperatives and new areas of enterprise, such as the manufacturing of electric vehicles.

Energy use reduction is seen as a key plank of security of supply, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has just created a new Department of Energy Security to improve economic growth and guard against geopolitical shocks.

Compliance LEV, founded in 2017, has specialised for the last six years in testing and maintaining systems and reviewing customer facilities for compliance with LEV regulations. It incorporates a design review into its examination and test phase and its project team rectifies any non-compliance.

As well as extraction for the metalworking industry, it deals with wood dust, titanium dust, chemicals, respirable crystalline silica, soldering, organic and weld fumes. It works with some of the UK’s largest engineering and pharmaceutical companies and also has clients in sectors as diverse as food production, paper manufacturing, quarrying and aerospace.

A version of this story has appeared in the following publications:

Exhaust ventilation specialist develops system to reduce manufacturing energy use | Project Scotland

https://m4snews.com/en/News/1/49700

What is Local Exhaust Ventilation?

Every year, thousands of workers in Britain develop occupational diseases from breathing in certain dusts, fumes or other airborne contaminants at work.

Effective LEV or dust/fume extraction can carry away airborne contaminants before they can be breathed in. Compliance LEV can support you in complying with every requirement of the COSHH Regulations 2002  including LEV testing  (also known as a COSHH test or Thorough Examination and Test). 
Our services are available in Scotland and throughout the UK. In addition, we can then repair or replace your LEV system should it be required.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky8y2jDk6i8

Learn more about Local Exhaust Ventilation at http://bit.ly/2BdDrUz

Supporting SMEs in their Wood Dust Exposure Risks

In early 2022 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) completed a project to update the evidence base on wood dust exposure risks in British manufacturing industries. In so doing, HSE gained a better understanding of how it could support small and medium-sized woodworking enterprises in controlling exposure to wood dust.

Updating the Evidence Base and supporting SMEs in their Wood Dust Exposure Risks (hsl.gov.uk)

There is a legal duty on employers to ensure that workplace exposures do not exceed a given workplace exposure limit (WEL), to follow good control practices and, for carcinogens and asthmagens, to reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable (ALARP). Exposure to any wood dust can cause asthma and dermatitis, whilst exposure to hardwood dust can also cause sino-nasal cancer. 

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