FEATURE DUST & FUME EXTRACTION
Extraction and safe ventilation of welding fumes
These include: • Reducing the amount of fume at the source. • Make changes to the way the welding workers use the equipment and position themselves during welding. • Testing of welding fume extraction systems every 14 months. • Routine maintenance of extraction systems. There is a wide range of extraction
solutions available for the control of weld fumes. The correct solution should take into account the type of welding, substrate material, the frequency of welding and the size of the workpiece.
Welding is common in a wide variety of UK industries, including car production, shipbuilding, construction and metal manufacturing, and can be hazardous for workers in a number of ways including a variety of respiratory diseases. Are you protecting your workers from these dangers?
T
he fumes that are produced during welding and hot cutting processes
are a mixture of airborne gases and very fine particles. If either of these is inhaled they can cause ill health. Welders are particularly prone to respiratory problems including: • Lung infections that can lead to severe and sometimes fatal pneumonia. • The risk of contracting occupational asthma is increased. • Welding fumes are internationally classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. • Metal Fume Fever – Flu-like symptoms after welding. • Temporarily reduced lung function – lung capacity and the ease of breathing out. • The toxicity and concentration of the fume depend on the material being welded, the method used, also how confined space is in which it is being carried out.
WELDING FUMES EXPOSURE LEVELS The HSE has the power to serve an improvement notice to companies
12 MARCH 2019 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
requiring them to reduce exposure to welding fumes or face legal action. Gases that may be present in welding
and cutting fume are nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, Argon, Helium and Ozone. The exact level of risk to workers will depend on three factors: • How toxic the fume is – what material is being worked with. • How concentrated the fume is – nature of the workplace means that there is a restricted amount of air to dilute the fume. • How long the fume is being breathed in. At Vent-Tech, we are extremely aware of
the problems caused, and the need for correctly installed and working welding fume extractors and systems. Following a site survey, we would put forward a recommendation on the appropriate technology and extractors you and your welders would need.
WELDING FUME REDUCTION AND EXTRACTION SYSTEMS There are numerous points of advice outlined by the HSE for reducing the levels of exposure to welding fumes.
Welders are particularly prone to respiratory problems
GRINDING DUST EXTRACTION Grinding dust is likely to be found wherever angle grinding, metalwork, welding or moulding processes are undertaken. So, if you are reading this to find out about welding fumes, you will most likely need to also find out about grinding dust. Grinding dust is generated by power
tools such as angle grinders and can also be very dangerous to workers’ health, especially stainless steel, beryllium or parts used in nuclear systems. These materials require careful control and extraction to avoid any risks from grinder dust being inhaled. A grinding booth generally offers the
greatest level of control; however, this is not always practical due to the nature of the work being undertaken. On-tool Extraction Systems provide a good alternative for the safe collection and extraction of dust and can take the form of either a centralized fixed or portable collector.
Vent-Tech
www.vent-tech.co.uk T: +44 (0) 1179 647 945
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