By David Chambers OBE. FCIM - member of the Initial Steering committee of the Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers (ILEVE).
It is estimated that every year some 12,000 people die or suffer long-term ill health due to exposure to pollutants encountered on the factory floor.
This staggering number never hits the headlines as the lead-time between initial exposure and death is often many years. This contrasts sharply with “crash, bang, wallop” accidents that hit the front pages immediately and consequently generate immediate concern.
The Factory Inspectorate, Occupational Hygienists, and the Local Exhaust Ventilation industry have been aware of the severity of the problem for many years. We have seen evermore demanding legislation introduced and guidance note after guidance note produced all with the good intention of improving factory conditions.
Regrettably progress has been slow and far out of keeping with the expectations of a modern industrial society. Why is this so? Responsible Local Exhaust Ventilation suppliers and their customers have tried to keep pace with new legislation and guidance, but something has been missing from the equation.
That missing element has been the formalised education and training to an accredited standard of the system design engineers, the maintenance engineers and the inspection and testing engineers.
Ever conscious of the slow progress to date the Local Exhaust Ventilation Industry decided to seize the initiative and early in 2010 a meeting was held between representatives of all of the major suppliers and other interested parties.
Following discussion a decision was made to attempt to form a professional institute that would be responsible for examining and accrediting engineers to a certain degree of competence. A steering committee was appointed to guide the process comprising of representatives of the Local Exhaust Ventilation industry, other related sciences, and the Trade associations.
The first action of the steering group was to meet with representatives of the Health and Safety Executive. On hearing of the proposal the HSE has voiced their support for the venture. Consequently a much wider meeting was convened with representatives of all of the relevant trade associations. Again on hearing of the aims and ambitions of the fledgling institute the trade associations have offered their support and assistance.
The proposal is that all prospective members would be examined to certain standards dependant on their level of membership. Three main grades would be offered, Associate member, Full Member, and for exceptional service and ability a Fellowship. This is broadly in line with other professional institutions. It is anticipated that certain intermediate categories may be added relative to individuals who work solely in certain select industries.
It is hoped that an accredited qualification will improve the standards of engineering across the industry with a resultant improvement in the standards of design, testing and inspection of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems. The aim is that this improved standard will improve the quality of the atmosphere in factories and thus reduce the health risks to workers.
Offering British industry an improved level of competence which will improve the quality of air that our workers breath on a daily basis must be the correct action to take, and if successful will more than fully compensate the voluntary team who are moving this action forward.
Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers (ILEVE)
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