In today’s blog we’ll explain the reasons why you need a vehicle exhaust extraction system, and how any workshop – large or small – will benefit from this life saving equipment.
We’ll also look at how our extraction systems can not only keep your workplace safer, but also legally compliant and more efficient too.
Trigger warning: the following paragraph of this article may upset some readers. If you’re easily offended or upset, skim over to the next section of this blog.
The seriously dangerous effects of breathing in exhaust fumes on human health are well known.
A certain party in World War Two utilised carbon monoxide poisoning as a means of mass murder (they ran a pipe from the van exhaust into a sealed compartment which held prisoners); likewise, a car parked in a garage with the engine on is a known means of fatal poisoning.
It seems unthinkable, therefore, that owners of vehicle maintenance workshops continue to operate without a means of removing the deadly fumes that can accumulate.
And yet, this issue is regularly overlooked, like so many risks within the workplace.
The likelihood is that you need a vehicle exhaust extraction system more than you’re aware of. However, the effect that exhaust fumes are having on your workforce may be less acute and, therefore, go easily unnoticed.
Exhaust fumes contain a range of particulates and gases that can affect your health if breathed in.
Carbon Monoxide, a waste product of combustion, is an odourless gas; heavier than air, it sinks into lower areas of your workplace such as drains, sumps or, crucially, inspection pits.
It’s poisonous when inhaled, can cause unconsciousness and in small doses, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
The fine particles present in exhaust fumes, particularly diesel engine fumes, can cause shortness of breath and respiratory irritation in the short term.
Long term exposure can result in the development of chronic occupational asthma, where even low-effort physical activity can become a major effort or impossible, through to cancer of the lungs, throat, and nose.
Even a moderately ventilated workshop, for example one with open vehicle access shutters and pedestrian doors, can quickly accumulate a fog of exhaust fumes which are dangerous to employee and public health (if your waiting room, for example, has open doors through to the work area).
This is exacerbated if you’re working on large diesel engines, as found in commercial vehicles, if you run large, old engines which are typically less refined, such as military engines, or simply poorly maintained machinery, for example agricultural vehicles which mainly see use in the middle of a field or lane.
If you work on any vehicles with their engines running, carry out DPF regeneration cycles (which run the engine hot and hard), perform MOT checks, engine diagnostics, or a host of other activities, the likelihood is that you need a vehicle exhaust extraction system.
All engines that run on petrol, diesel, or LPG produce fumes which are harmful to human health, whether they’re from a lawnmower, motorbike, family car, bus, lorry tractor, fire engine or military tank.
Unless you’re working in an open-air workshop with a stiff wind, your workshop will be accumulating poisonous gases and particulates every time you start and run an engine – even if you can’t see, taste, or smell them.
This high likelihood of risk and severity of damage is why it’s a legal requirement to protect your workforce, and people affected by your endeavours (i.e. the public) from exhaust fumes.
So, if you haven’t got an extraction system yet, and aside from the moral argument supporting looking after the health and wellbeing of your workforce – it’s a good idea to add one to your to-do list and install it before your employees complain of a nasty cough, or the HSE inspectors come knocking.
Our team at Fumex have over 40 years of experience designing, building, fitting, and servicing extraction systems for a range of industries, including automotive repair.
We’ve developed a range of vehicle exhaust extraction systems which incorporate high velocity vacuum motors and fans and combine them with clever fittings which will make your workplace easier to work in, as well as safer.
You can choose from fixed installations for larger, more demanding environments – or versatile, portable units that can be easily moved to where they’re needed and packed away when they’re not.
Your workshop is busy and can often become crowded with vehicles and equipment.
To alleviate the issue of cumbersome extraction hoses taking up valuable floor space, we offer systems which utilise an articulated boom arm, allowing the hose to positioned wherever it is required – as well as retractable reel systems which allow the flexible, high temperature ducting to be extended to the work area without excess being spread on the floor; when not in use the ceiling or wall mounted reels retract the hose at a simple pull of a handle.
The time-saving features don’t end there.
We can design, fabricate, and implement a range of off-the shelf and bespoke nozzles and hoods, which provide an interface between the hose and your vehicles – meaning your vehicle exhaust extraction system remains versatile and able to connect to any vehicle imaginable.
Made of strong stainless steel, they’re as durable as they are effective.
Not only this, but we can also provide handy racks and stands which take the weight of the nozzle attachments and facilitate easy movement around the vehicle and workshop.
If the thought of making your workplace safer for your employees is tiring you out, we’re here to help.
Simply give us a call and our in-house design team will happily advise you on the ideal vehicle exhaust extraction system that will remove the harmful gases and particulates, which can be easily implemented with minimal disruption and at a sensible cost.
By now you should know whether you need a vehicle exhaust extraction system – so simply leave it to us to help you implement one. Call us today on 0114 234 1114 or email info@fumexltd.co.uk.
