Quick answer

Emptying out and re-using LEV waste collection bags is poor practice because it deliberately re-releases hazardous dust into the workplace air and can increase the risk of fire or explosion. Once dust has been collected, it should be treated as waste and kept sealed in appropriate bags or containers until it is removed from site. 

Why this matters

LEV systems are installed to capture airborne dust at source and keep people’s exposure as low as reasonably practicable. If the collected dust is then tipped out or shaken out so that the bag can be used again, the operator is exposed to a concentrated dust cloud right in their breathing zone. This undermines the benefit of the LEV system and can easily lead to exposures above Workplace Exposure Limits. 

What the law and guidance expect 

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), employers must prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances, including wood dust and other process dusts. Good practice is to minimise the generation and spread of dust, and to handle waste in a way that prevents it becoming airborne again. Under DSEAR (the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations), combustible dusts also have to be managed so that fire and explosion risks are controlled. Pouring or shaking fine, dry dust out of bags makes it much easier for an explosive dust cloud to form if an ignition source is present. 

Regulators and inspectors will generally expect LEV waste to be placed in suitable sealed bags or containers and disposed of via an appropriate waste route, not decanted so that a bag can be re-used. 

Practical implications in the workshop 

In practical terms, re-using LEV waste bags by emptying them out can cause several problems: 

- Operators are exposed to a heavy dust cloud while emptying or shaking out the bag. 

- Dust is spread onto doors, ledges and equipment, creating further cleaning and exposure issues. 

- The bag itself may be damaged or contaminated, leading to leaks when it is re-installed. 

- For combustible dusts, such as wood dust, some plastics and metals, the way the dust is disturbed can increase explosion risk. 

A safer approach is to: 

- Use correctly specified LEV waste bags as single-use items. 

- Seal the bag before removal from the unit, for example by taping, tying or clamping it while still supported. 

- Place the sealed bag directly into the designated waste container or storage. 

- Arrange for disposal or recovery via a competent waste contractor. 

Need help with your LEV system? 

If you are unsure whether your current LEV system, waste bags or cleaning arrangements meet good practice and HSE guidance, contact P&J Dust Extraction for advice, inspection and testing support.