The short answer is Yes. No matter how much welding you or your business carries out yes you need to extract the fumes and gases generated.
The fumes and gases generated in the welding process can be very damaging to the health for anyone who breathes them in. The HSE published a safety alert ‘Change in Enforcement Expectations for Mild Steel Welding Fume’ detailing ‘There is new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer that exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans. The Workplace Health Expert Committee has endorsed the reclassification of mild steel welding fume as a human carcinogen’.
General ventilation doesn’t achieve or provide the necessary ventilation required to enable people breath in clean and safe air.
Welding fume extraction units (such as those we provide and install) effectively capture harmful fumes before they can be breathed in. In essence the fumes are drawn away from the welder and safely removed.
Both types of systems have pros and cons depending on how you operate your business.
Fixed Weld Fume Extraction System:
Central extraction systems are static and remain in place once installed. Fixed extraction units are designed for full time use and full production whereas mobile units are recommended for occasional use. These extraction systems can be designed to your specific requirements and available space in your workshop or premises.
Mobile extraction systems can be easily moved around a workshop to enable the welder to be able to move the unit to their desired position. Giving them the flexibility to have a wider range of movement when welding rather than being confined to welding where a fixed welding system is installed.
The benefits of mobile weld fume extraction units are…Whichever type of weld fume extraction system you decide to use for your business will capture and remove harmful nasties from the air. To further assist this, we recommend welders wear a powered respirator type welding mask to offer further protection.
If you’d like to know more or discuss your options to ensure you opt for the right extraction system for your business, please get in touch on 0114 234 1114 and our team of advisers will be happy to assist you.
