an industrial exhaust ventilation system enabling access to exhaust generating processes while containing and controlling the resultant exhausted gases is provided . a cover assembly is attached to the structure generating the exhaust gases and is provided with a reciprocating cover having an open and closed position . the exhaust generating process is accessible only when the cover is open . a conventional exhaust system is also provided to maintain the low level of air circulation necessary to convey the generated exhaust to a treatment facility . the ventilation system is optionally provided with a workload enclosure that travels to selected process structures and forms a fume containment region by interengaging with the cover assembly located thereon .