NEWS


HSE VISITS TO BE EXPECTED IN MAY AND SEPTEMBER OF 2021


Beginning in May and again in September of this year the HSE will once again be beginning visits to workplaces to conduct inspections into the handling of welding dust and fume. It has been a couple of years since they issued a change in enforcement expectations in relation to the control of exposure of welding fume, including fume from mild steel welding, and not all companies are yet in full compliance. The HSE will be conducting visits to sites where welding is being carried out, along with any other business where fumes, dusts, vapours, or small fibres considered detrimental to human health might be present or created. They are very keen on seeing welding fume control systematically enforced and companies who are found not in compliance with the HSE enforcement expectations can expect to be given an improvement notice, enforcement order or a fine. All extraction equipment is also required to be fully serviced and tested within the last 14 months. There is no window of leniency; businesses are expected to have already tackled this problem. Compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations Act 2002 means, in part, accepting that opening a window or relying on general ventilation is inadequate in terms of welding fume control. Similarly, welding outside will require at the very least, suitable respiratory protection equipment (RPE). This has lead to a shiſt towards fume extraction at source and coincides with the emergence of a range of new, next generation fume extraction torches revealed by Extractability, a division of Weldability Sif. The SifGUN Evolution is a fantastic example of fume extraction at source at its very best. More robust than competing models, with a sturdy metal swan neck available in a range of angles and an ergonomic, it’s easy to manipulate with an ergonomic metal trigger. The latest fume extraction


concept includes improved airflow and greater visibility of the weld pool, so while the gun may look very similar to previous models, the internals have been totally upgraded. This kind of on-torch extraction offers 95% reduction of fumes and the SifGUN features an optimised nozzle, which balances pressures to prevent disruption of the shielding gases. This means you can use the same shielding gas flow rates as with a standard MIG torch. Businesses with appropriate fume extraction systems could still face fines, however, if their equipment hasn’t been tested annually or records of up-to- date testing cannot be provided. As well as a range of high spec, low cost fume control solutions, Extractability provide a comprehensive, on-site LEV COSHH-testing service on all makes and types of welding fume and dust extraction equipment, working strictly in accordance with HSE guidelines. In addition to ensuring up-to-date fume extraction equipment is being used correctly, the employer must also monitor background levels of fume to ensure that those working in other areas of the workshop are not being affected. The ProtectoScan Edi is an indoor Environmental Detection Instrument (Edi) that can be moved around your workspace to measure particulate levels,


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record real-time data, and can switch on your fume extraction equipment once a pre-set level has been detected. Edi has an LED traffic light display, alerting users to any notable issues and providing an instant visual representation of what is going on in the workshop. Edi will also measure noise, temperature and humidity and is the perfect solution for monitoring and recording exposure levels, every second of the day, 365 days a year. With the recent Industry 4.0 trend seeing a greater integration of automation and data exchange in the manufacturing sector, the ProtectoScan Edi is Extractability’s boldest step yet to help employers remove hazards from the workplace, stay within the regulations and improve health and safety among the workforce, creating a safe and clean workplace environment for everyone.


If you are unsure if you will survive a visit from the HSE, Extractability offer a free onsite survey to determine your likelihood to pass an inspection. Their experts can offer a blend of solutions to fit your needs and service or test any existing extraction equipment. Contact them today on 08458 622620 or email sales@extractability.eu


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