Have you given any thought to the dangers of fumes in the workplace? With our extensive range, we can provide a full removal solution in any situation.
From torch extraction solutions and portable extraction units for mobile welding applications to providing a comprehensive installation package for multi-user fume exhaust systems, we have a wide range of specialised equipment for each procedure.
Our products are CE-certified and made in Europe to the highest European standards, making them unrivalled in terms of build quality and dependability.
We provide all of the technical help you'll need to cope with welding fumes; call us for a free consultation at 0800 975 9710.
HSE Regulations
Organizations that fail to meet the HSE's enforcement requirements for safeguarding workers' health might anticipate an improvement notice, an enforcement order, or a fine. There will be no leniency in this case since firms are expected to have previously addressed the issue. For failing to comply with HSE standards, a fabrication company was fined £12,000 plus expenses.
What are the dangers of welding fumes and why do I need a fume extractor?
The gases and dust smoke created during the welding process include hazardous metal particles, which must be managed to ensure the welders' safety. Particles can settle on the work area, clothing, and devices after they have been in the air, generating extra work as well as health and safety problems. It's suggested that you use it to remove hazardous fumes, especially while MIG welding.
3 steps to welding fume extraction
- Avoid or reduce exposure
- To remove the fumes from the source, use local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
- To prevent employees from breathing fumes, use appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Why effective removal of fumes is vital
Exposure can be deadly. Occupational asthma, pneumonia, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 'metal fume fever' are only a few of the illnesses linked to welding and cutting.
Is it necessary to test LEV systems?
LEV systems must be maintained, evaluated, and tested at least once every 14 months, according to HSE COSHH rules (or more frequently depending on types of contaminants). Complete maintenance, examinations, and testing must be performed by a trained LEV engineer. Air sampling may be used in the testing, and all data must be retained for at least 5 years.
How do you control welding fumes?
- Use alternative cold joining techniques
- Weld in ways that produce less fumes
- Local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
- Use PPE including welding clothing and RPE to prevent inhalation of fumes and gases
- maintain control measures and general ventilation
- Ascertain that welders are aware of the dangers and how to apply controls
According to the HSE, when should LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) be used?
- Welding on a bench or in a screened off area, moderate to high volume MIG/MAG production welding, small or medium-sized parts
- Welding carbon and mild steels, as well as aluminium
- TIG welding on stainless steels or aluminium in high-volume manufacturing
- MIG, MAG, Flux cored, or MMA welding of stainless steels for stick welding
- Air gouging in the form of arcs
- Welding or slicing galvanised metal with a hot knife are both options (e.g. zinc plated)
- Materials containing cadmium that have been welded or hot cut, and that have been painted with lead or chromate paints
- LEV extraction is required for automated flame or plasma cutting, however this is normally built-in.
- Resistance welding devices with several heads that are automated
What factors should you think about when buying a welding fume extractor?
Make sure the unit's capacity is sufficient. An operational flow rate of 1480 M3/hr will do just fine when removing fumes at source. Make sure the filter is adequate; many manufacturers use lower-quality filters to save money; a sophisticated E12 Hepa filter eliminates 99.5 percent of fumes. Avoid MDF Hepa filters; strangely, many well-known manufacturers are still utilising these old Hepa filters since they are cheap to produce. However, their proclivity for burning has resulted in major occupational safety hazards, so make sure to examine the cost of new filters. Furthermore, low-cost extractors are sometimes accompanied with exorbitantly priced replacement filters.
What are the consequences of failing to use fume extraction & dust extraction systems?
Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational asthma, welder's lung, and inflammation of the throat and lungs are all at an increased risk.
How does a welding fume extractor work?
Welding and grinding can create harmful fumes and gases, which are pulled into a cleaning system, which removes poisonous gases and prevents inhalation.
What is local exhaust ventilation (LEV)?
It's a ventilation system that prevents inhalation by removing airborne contaminants from the workplace, such as dust, mists, gases, vapour, or fumes.
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for welding
When set up and operated appropriately, on-torch fume control is the most effective fume control for MIG welding. Use LEV with a mobile fume collection cowl for various forms of welding fume when on-torch isn't an option. Make sure it's set up correctly so it may be utilised without jeopardising the weld's integrity.
On-torch extraction is effective because
It's built into the welding gun, travels with the weld, stays near to the fume source at all times, and doesn't rely on the welder to relocate the extraction gun to keep fumes contained.
Extraction directly at welding torch
The torch connects simply to the appropriate device for catching the majority of harmful gases. The extractor is immediately positioned on the welding flame, ensuring continual access, work freedom, and a high capture rate.
Extraction with extractor arms
The arms are attached to a vacuum filter system that removes airborne pollutants. The extraction arms are flexible, easy to place, and do not block the welder throughout the welding process. The welding process is unaffected, and the capture rate is excellent.
Portable fume extractors/filter units
The extractor arm may be easily positioned anywhere in the workshop. When welding is done in a variety of locations, a portable solution is optimal. They are flexible, easy to position, and do not block the welding process in the same way as fixed extraction arms do.
Industrial welding and grinding table
The tables feature integrated gas, dust, and particle extraction during welding, grinding, and polishing. It's ideal for fixed workstations because it completely covers the table's surface area. The extraction point does not need to be adjusted, and the capture rate is great.
Fume extraction for welding robots
Nozzles may be directly attached to a welding machine, safeguarding both essential electronics and facility staff. An extractor fixed on the welding nozzle or a cover put over the robot are two choices for this technology, both of which have a high catch rate.
What sorts of welding fume extractors are there?
- Portable
- On-Torch Packages
- Mobile
- Wall Mounted
- Multi-User Systems
- Downdraft Benches
- Robotic Applications
- Systems for Colleges & Training Centres
When welding, fumes, gases, dust, and particles can cause health problems
- Cancer e.g. lung, liver, kidney, eye, bowel, intestine
- Acute pneumonia, COPD, and siderosis are just a few related lung conditions
- Occupational asthma, acute irritant-induced asthma
- Neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
- Heart disease
- Infertility
- Metal fume fever
- Asphyxiation
- Ulcers
- Allergies e.g., dermatitis
What’s involved in an LEV inspection?
To begin, the extraction unit, hose, nozzle, hood, arms, and filters are checked for faults or possible concerns in order to maintain the equipment's correct performance and safety. Also, check the extractor hoods for cleanliness and, if there are any moving components, make sure they're still working. Is the information provided by the monitor and airflow indicator accurate and corresponds to the inspector's measurements? Is the extractor leaking fumes, and if so, is the equipment properly treating the vapours to safeguard employees and bystanders? Is there an alarm system in place, and if so, does it sound when it's not working properly, such as when there's a blockage, to alert you to a performance issue? Is there a filter warning light that illuminates when the filter becomes clogged?
The extractor's report follows, which includes machine information, location, customer information, time, date, test kinds, and equipment utilised.
Comparing the test results to the benchmark performance, calculating the exact numerical results of each working part, determining whether each test passed or failed, and determining the inspection result. Repairs or replacements are recommended for deteriorating components.
What’s checked in an LEV inspection?
- Check for damage
- Suitable operation of mechanical parts
- Is there water damage
- Are there blockages
- Visual examination of all parts and components
- Efficiency of filters
Extraction methods
Extraction using on-torch fume extraction, it is the most efficient fume control for MIG welding because it eliminates the majority of dangerous gases at the source if utilised appropriately without sacrificing weld integrity. Traditional fume extraction arms can't reach welds all welds, but on-torch fume extraction arms can.
Fumes are extracted immediately above the welding pool using a welding torch with fume extraction connected to the tip of the flame. Toxic gases are expelled through an opening in the nozzle at the end of the torch while welding. The vapours are suctioned via the torch, treated, and filtered in the collector before being safely evacuated.
Multi-user extraction
Multi-user extractors may be more efficient and cost effective than individual extractors in workplaces with several welders, workstations, or welding equipment. They may be tailored to match the wants and requirements of businesses.
Mobile fume extractors
Mobile fume extractors are suited for at-source extraction in heavy welding operations, with the added benefit of mobility inside the workplace. Mobile extractors are light enough to move around the work area and include wheels, a big extraction nozzle, and hose.
Extraction arms
Extraction arms may be fastened and affixed to walls, making them perfect for small workshops or workstations. Because of their excellent manoeuvrability and stability, they are simple to operate, modify, and carry. The MasterWeld extraction arms are heavy-duty and may be used to weld huge things as well as tiny to medium-sized products.
Key performance indicators of fume extraction
Filter pressure
As a result of additional cleaning cycles, the greater the filter pressure, the more power and emissions are produced. To get the decisive airflow performance, differential pressure is used to assess the quality of filter cleaning and filter life expectancy.
Duct pressure
The pressure in the ducts and hoods may be checked to ensure that the airflow is enough and the extractor is operating properly to guarantee proper extraction of fumes, gases, dust, and particles from the working environment and to give clean air.
Filter cleaning pressure
Filter cleaning at too high a pressure might damage the filters, require more power, and be noisier than necessary. However, if the pressure isn't high enough, the filter won't be cleaned thoroughly, and the life cycle will be shortened as a result of the decreased cleaning efficacy. Furthermore, the need to clean more regularly wastes more energy and leads to increased wear over time.
Smart filters
Welding fume extractors with smart filters detect and monitor, which enhances planning, reduces the need for planning, and lowers maintenance costs. Smart filters may assist experts in predicting mistakes and detecting difficulties early, resulting in a longer life cycle, reduced energy usage, increased safety, and a lower risk of fire due to failure. Professionals can also make great judgments quickly and productively because to its intelligence.
Dust bin level
Cleaning and disposal of the dust bin contents, which accumulates over time, is a common welding fume extractor maintenance task. Warning lights can save time and prevent bins from getting overfilled by reducing the amount of time spent monitoring several bins that aren't full.
Fan performance
A variable frequency drive, which is popular in extractors, can provide technical information on the motor's life cycle and performance. The fan should be inspected on a regular basis since it consumes the most energy and adds to the fan's longevity. Maintenance can help prevent problems, and responding quickly when problems arise, such as vibrations, can help protect the motor from damage.
Extraction hoods
- Workers may be exposed to welding fumes if they are not appropriately positioned
- There should be no obstructions in the work area
- Smart extraction hoods may boost productivity and save costs
- They should never be used in place of ventilation hoods
- It's not possible to remove shielding gas
- It's vital to plan the dimensions before installing arm extractors
- If the extraction hose is too distorted, airflow may be reduced
Using fume extraction arms to collect dust and fume
Extraction arms cannot be used to remove settled dust and odours in the same way as vacuum cleaners can. They're also not the finest choice for dust removal during cutting and grinding; extraction tables are the best option.
Benefits of capturing welding fume at source
Fumes can be caught, cleansed, and expelled more cost effectively in industrial or workshop utilities due to smaller equipment such as nozzles, hoses, fans, and motors. Capturing welding fume at the source eliminates virtually all of the hazardous welding fume to welders and onlookers, restricting particles that drop on the ground, work tables, items, and machines, and thereby reducing cleaning time. In principle, machinery that is shielded from on-site extraction requires less maintenance, extending its life cycle.
High and low fume extraction
This is determined by the quantity of space available in the work area and the welding procedures used. Low vacuum extraction arms can be over 16 feet long, and contorting extraction hoses can reduce their efficacy. Work places must have enough of room above head height and surrounding the workshop to successfully install them. If you need to be able to transfer your extraction gear, a portable welding fume extractor or on-torch extraction would be the ideal option. On-torch extraction may be the best option in work locations with restricted workspace.