The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to ensure that exposure is prevented or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and local exhaust ventilation (extraction) are critical occupational safety controls used together to protect workers from inhaling hazardous airborne substances, such as dusts, fumes, mists, and gases.
Extraction Systems :
- Removes hazards at source: Captures and pulls dust, fumes, vapours or gases away before they spread into the air or reach your breathing zone — this is the most effective way to reduce exposure.
- Protects everyone in the area: Cleans the whole working environment, so not just the operator, but anyone nearby is protected.
- Reduces overall contamination: Lowers levels of harmful substances in the workshop, helping keep surfaces, tools and equipment cleaner.
- Supports long-term compliance: Meets legal requirements (such as COSHH in the UK) and reduces reliance on personal equipment alone.
- Comfort and productivity: Creates cleaner, fresher air, which helps staff work more comfortably and reduces fatigue.
RPE ( respiratory protective equipment ) :
- Direct, personal protection: Acts as a final barrier to filter or clean the air you breathe — essential when extraction cannot remove all risk, or for short-term / occasional tasks.
- Flexible and portable: Can be used anywhere, including hard-to-reach areas, mobile work, or sites where fixed extraction is not possible.
- Tailored protection: Available in different types to match specific hazards (e.g. fine dust, fumes, chemicals) and risk levels.
- Immediate protection: Provides instant safety from the moment it is put on, while other controls are being set up or maintained.
- Back-up safety: Works alongside extraction to give extra security, ensuring you are protected even if extraction performance drops or needs repair.
Benefits of using both together :
- Layered protection: Extraction reduces risk as much as possible; RPE covers any remaining exposure — this is the safest approach.
- Better health outcomes: Greatly lowers the chance of developing asthma, lung disease, or other respiratory illnesses.
- Legal compliance: Meets health and safety rules by using engineering controls first, then personal protection where needed.
- Cost efficiency: Reduces sickness absence, compensation claims, and insurance costs over time.
At Miganglia, we can provide you with the correct RPE and Extraction equipment for your work. We also provide an inspection for your LEV points once a year for £250 for 2 points. This is to help ensure your safety, if you already have an LEV (local exhaust ventilation) point and would like to be put onto our inspection list. Please contact the below details, this will enable us to contact yourselves with a reminder the inspections are due.
Tel : 01263 834865
Email : [email protected]
