G203 Downdraught Bench

Health and Safety
Executive
G Downdraught bench
COSHH essentials Control approach 2 Engineering control
The Control of Substances What this sheet covers

Hazardous to Health This sheet describes good control practice for using downdraught
Regulations 2002 (COSHH) benches – a type of local exhaust ventilation (LEV).
require employers to
ensure that exposure is
prevented or, where this It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an
is not reasonably practicable, adequate level.
adequately controlled. This guidance Follow all the Extracted work surface
gives practical advice on how this can points, or use Pre-filter
be achieved by applying the principles of equally effective
good practice for the control of exposure
measures.
to substances hazardous to health, as
required by COSHH.
Access to
It is aimed at people whose
work area
responsibilities include the management
of substances hazardous to health 3 Allow access to
at work (eg occupational health authorised and
specialists, anyone undertaking COSHH appropriately trained
assessments, supervisors and is also people only.
useful for trade union and employee
safety representatives). It will help you
Equipment and
carry out COSHH assessments, review
existing assessments, deliver training and procedures
supervise activities involving substances 3 Air is extracted downward, typically passing through holes or slots on
hazardous to health. the downdraught bench.
3 The working zone is at, or very near to, the extracted perforated or
This guidance is issued by the Health and
Safety Executive. Following the guidance is gridded work surface or hood face.
not compulsory, unless specifically stated, 3 Airflow must be sufficient to control airborne contaminants effectively.
and you are free to take other action. But This will depend on the design, size of opening and the type of process
if you do follow the guidance you will and substance being controlled.
normally be doing enough to comply with 3 The degree to which the extracted work surface is blocked off by, for
the law. Health and safety inspectors seek
instance, components and other materials on or near the bench, will
to secure compliance with the law and
may refer to this guidance. influence its effectiveness.
3 Do not store items on the extracted work surface.
See Essential information near the end of
3 Where possible, site the work area away from doors, windows and
the sheet.
walkways, to stop draughts interfering with the LEV and spreading the
airborne contaminant.
3 Provide an easy way of checking the LEV is working, eg airflow indicator
or equivalent.
3 Discharge extracted air to a safe place away from doors, windows and
air inlets.
3 With dusts you can re-circulate clean, filtered air into the workroom.
3 With vapours air re-circulation is not recommended.
G203 Downdraught bench
3 Ensure all components are appropriate for the materials being captured, ie
suitable for explosive, corrosive and flammable substances.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

3 Chemicals identified by COSHH Essentials as hazard group S can damage
the skin and eyes, or enter the body through the skin and cause harm.
Check the safety data sheets to see what PPE is needed.
3 Ask your supplier to advise on suitable protective equipment.
3 Make suitable arrangements for maintenance, storage and replacement of
PPE.
Personal decontamination
3 Provide warm water, mild skin cleansers, and soft paper or fabric towels for
drying. Avoid abrasive cleansers.
3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt from
the skin.
3 Provide after-work creams to replace skin oils.
Caution: ‘Barrier creams’ are not ‘liquid gloves’ and they do not provide a full
barrier.
Maintenance, examination and testing

3 Keep all equipment used for the task in effective working order. Maintain it
as advised by the supplier or installer.
3 Check for signs of damage to control equipment before starting work.
3 Follow any special procedures before any systems are opened or
entered, eg purging or cleaning. Don’t forget you may need PPE for some
maintenance tasks.
3 Visually check all equipment at least once a week for signs of damage or
faults.
3 For LEV systems, a user manual or log book is helpful in setting out the
frequency of checking, maintenance or parts replacement.
3 For LEV systems with no user manual or log book, you may need the help
of a competent person. They can determine the performance needed for
adequate control.
3 Keep records of all examinations for at least 5 years.
3 LEV systems require a statutory ‘thorough examination and test’ (TExT).
3 Get a competent person to perform the TExT at least every 14 months.
3 Carry out all actions arising from the TExT.
3 HSG258 provides more detailed information on LEV systems and legal and
competence requirements.
3 Several measures are available to check effectiveness of controls. These
range from simple qualitative (use of dust lamp) to complex quantitative
techniques (eg air sampling) – usually for higher risk scenarios.
Cleaning and housekeeping

3 Clean work equipment and the work area daily. Clean other equipment and
the workroom regularly – at least once a week.
3 Vacuum dry dust or use wet cleaning methods.
3 Deal with spills immediately – use suitable protective gloves. You may also
need respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
3 Store containers in a safe place and dispose of empty containers safely.
3 Put lids on containers immediately after use.
Caution: Never allow the use of brushes or compressed air for removing
dust from skin and clothing. Avoid the use of brushes or compressed air for
removing dust from surfaces or from inside machinery.
Training and supervision

3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed.
3 Tell workers about the hazards associated with their work.
3 Provide workers with training on:
n working safely with hazardous substances;
n when and how to use controls;
n how to check they are working;
n how the LEV system works;
n how to use the LEV to get the best out of it;
n how to check that the LEV is working; and
n what to do if something goes wrong.
3 Consider keeping training records.
3 Changes to the work process and LEV means that staff might need retraining.
3 Have a procedure to check that control measures are in place and being
followed.
3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training.
Essential information
General storage of solids and liquids COSHH Guidance Sheet G101
HSE 2016 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g101.pdf
General advice on chemicals causing harm via skin or eye contact

COSHH Guidance Sheet S100 HSE 2016
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/s100.pdf
Selection of personal protective equipment COSHH Guidance Sheet S101

HSE 2016 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/s101.pdf
Further information
Clearing the air: A simple guide to buying and using local exhaust ventilation
(LEV) Leaflet INDG408(rev1) HSE Books 2008
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg408.htm
Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust

ventilation (LEV) HSG258 HSE Books 2011
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg258.htm
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) workplace fume and dust extraction

web page: www.hse.gov.uk/lev/
You can find the full COSHH essentials series at

www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/index.htm
Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register www.oshcr.org/
For information about health and safety, or to report inconsistencies or

inaccuracies in this guidance, visit www.hse.gov.uk/. You can view HSE Employee checklist
guidance online and order priced publications from the website. HSE priced
publications are also available from bookshops. Are you clear about the
0
procedures for doing the
job?
Check the room is well
0
ventilated, and any
extraction or air supply is
switched on and working
properly. Check the airflow
indicator or equivalent.
Look for signs of leaks,
0
wear and damage before
every job.
If you find any problems,
0
tell your supervisor. Don’t
just carry on working.
Make sure the air
0
movement is across or
away from your face.
Wash hands before starting
0
the job, and before eating,
drinking, smoking or using
the lavatory.
Don’t use solvents to clean
0
your skin.
Clear up spills immediately.
0
For liquids, contain or
absorb spills with granules
or mats. For solids, use
vacuum or wet cleaning.
Dispose of spills safely.
0
Use, maintain and
0
store any PPE provided
in accordance with
instructions.
© Crown copyright If you wish to

reuse this information visit
www.hse.gov.uk/copyright.htm
for details. First published 10/03
This document is available at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g203.pdf
Published by the Health and Safety Executive 01/18

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Health and Safety

COSHH essentials Control approach 2 Engineering control

The Control of Substances What this sheet covers

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Maintenance, examination and testing

Cleaning and housekeeping

3 Put lids on containers immediately after use.

Training and supervision

General advice on chemicals causing harm via skin or eye contact

Selection of personal protective equipment COSHH Guidance Sheet S101

Controlling airborne contaminants at work: A guide to local exhaust

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) workplace fume and dust extraction

You can find the full COSHH essentials series at

Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register www.oshcr.org/

For information about health and safety, or to report inconsistencies or

© Crown copyright If you wish to

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