An Analysis of Company XYZ’s Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems

Abstract

The absence of a periodic local exhaust hood velocity measurement program places the company at risk of employee chemical overexposure and monetary losses. Thus, the purpose of this study is to collect and analyze hood airflow measurements to determine if current hood velocities meet the original design specifications which are designed to minimize the risk of employee respiratory and dermal exposures. To accomplish the goals of this study, an initial examination of the ventilation system was completed by reviewing the hood and attached ductwork for damage, damper locations and settings, and through the collection on-site measurements of hood velocities. The hood velocity measurements were then compared with original design specifications and industry airflow standards to determine if the system is placing employees at risk of chemical overexposure situations. The data collected in this study determined that the employees were likely not at risk of chemical overexposures, although the potential exists for such to occur. This study determined all hood airflow measurements to be operating within industry standards, though unintentional adjustments to the local exhaust ventilation systems through damper repositioning and adjustable hood placement creates the potential to place employees at risk of respiratory and dermal exposure. The recommendations of this study included the need for periodic air flow measurement testing, damper position locking to the original design specifications and additional hands-on training for adjustable hood placement are intended to reduce chemical exposure risks for Company XYZ employees.