Oil / coolant are widely used in oil mist extraction and many engineering processes including; milling, drilling, on lathes, CNC machines etc and are commonly known as Metalworking Fluids (MWFs).
However, exposure to the mist / vapour from these fluids can cause; irritation of the skin or dermatitis, occupational asthma, bronchitis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, breathing difficulties or, rarely, a more serious lung disease called extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA), which can cause increasingly severe breathing difficulties in recurrent episodes, following repeated exposure*.
HSE has a comprehensive guide providing good practical advice on how to maintain and control exposure to MWFs to prevent ill health in workshop. https://www.ukla.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/UKLA-HSE-Good-Practice-Guide-for-Safe-Handling-and-Disposal-of-Metalworking-Fluids.pdf.
Fumex Ltd have a range of specifically designed oil mist extraction units to extract and filter metalworking fluid vapours. These can be centralised, standalone or mobile systems. Our mobile unit has 5-step filtration with HEPA H13 efficiency, 3m flexi arm and is easily moved to wherever it’s required. This unit may also be ducted to a CNC machine as a fixed standalone installation.
The eliminated liquid is collected at the bottom of the unit in two plastic containers. When one is full just move the hose over (quick release) to the empty container. No down time! You can check from the outside if the container is full. The fluid can normally be reused in the machine.
We also offer a range of centralised filtration systems that handle up to 12 machines. These all have a separate manometer for each of the internal filters for quick and easy visual inspection. Our systems have HEPA filtration and efficiency of up to 99.9%, allowing the filtered air to be returned into the workshop with no heat-loss.
*Part of this information is courtesy of HSE ‘Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence’.
