HVCA is to offer additional support to firms active in the local exhaust ventilation (LEV) market.
'Our key objectives are to promote competence and professionalism across the LEV sector, and to develop and publish an authoritative, standards-setting guide to good practice,' explained Gareth Keller, the HVCA's head of specialist group services.

He added that the initiative had been launched as a response to an increasing awareness of LEV in the wake of the recent publication by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of guidance on the subject.

Last year, HVCA played a key role in a series of workshops designed to promote the HSE guidance - Cleaning the Air - which aims to minimise instances of occupational lung diseases, incuding lung cancer, by reducing dust, fumes and other airborne contaminants in the workplace.

An exploratory meeting held earlier this month attracted the participation of 12 HVCA member companies, and Keller confirmed that the longer-term intention was to establish an LEV branch within the Association's Ductwork Group.

Non-member companies interested in learning more about the HVCA's LEV initiative should contact Gareth Keller at gkeller@hvca.org.uk.