How to: Choose your own fume extraction
In their latest webinar series, Extractability teach you how to go through the process of choosing the right extraction system, from start to finish.
You’ve probably heard by now that welding fume was recently reclassified as carcinogenic in February of last year. There’s now a legal requirement for all fume and dust (not just from welding) considered to be a contaminate to be extracted before it goes into the breathing zone of your employees.
What are the risks not acting or choosing the wrong products?
You’re liable to get fines from the HSE. If they find you haven’t got extraction or that your extraction isn’t suitable, they’ll issue you a breech notice, which can mean a partial or full closure of your business, especially if they find a large number of breeches or an immediate danger to your workers. By way of longer-term risks, if any of your workers develop health complications, in 10-30 years’ time, and they can directly attribute their condition to one of your work processes and prove that you didn’t have suitable LEV at the time for them then you would be liable for a lawsuit. On the smaller end of the spectrum, you may buy the wrong product, wasting your time and money. If you have any concerns or are due an HSE visit, you can always call Extractability, who will be happy to walk through the whole process with you. They can also tell you what kind of things they will be looking out for and what they might pick you up on.
In order to protect against lawsuits, Extractability offer ProtectoScan EDI that provides constant, year-long air monitoring so that you can both keep on top of your fume extraction and produce solid, data-driven, proof that your workplace has been compliant with Government advice.
To begin the process of choosing you fume extraction you need to consider:
· What are the processes in your workplace that produce contaminant? A few of your work processes might require extraction under HSE guidelines that you haven’t previously considered.
· What are my constraints? Consider your workshop size, for example if you have a low ceiling you may not be able to fit fixed extraction or if you struggle for floor space it might not be suitable to have mobile units wheeled around. You will also need to take into consideration your workers’ physical ability, are they able to push/pull a mobile unit into position? At times, your location can dictate certain environmental laws meaning that you may not be allowed to use a vent to atmosphere system
· How much of it do I do? You may not need to go all out on a fitted extraction system if you only use a welder occasionally for maintenance. If you are welding for less than 200 hours a year, you may be able to use a small, cost-effective, disposable filter unit that would grant your LEV conformity without having to spend much money. If you are doing more than 200 hours a year of welding you will need a unit with cleanable filters to save you a significant amount of money.
· What are my ongoing costs? There will always be an on-going cost with LEV units, eg, filters, maintenance, and your annual LEV testing.
· Requirement for annual TExT? A Thorough Examination and Test report is a legal requirement that needs to be carried out every 14 months, though most people choose to get it done annually.
· Training? Your welders need to be trained on their LEV systems. The HSE inspectors may ask workers using LEV equipment if they have been trained, if they haven’t, the HSE will pick you up on it.
Extractability is more than happy to cover these points with you, including the training of your staff and will issue you with a certificate as proof.
What type of system would suit your needs?
If you’re doing off site work and need a mobile system or something to extract from an on-torch set-up like the SifGun Evolution, then you would look at vacuum systems. If you needed a mobile or a several mobile units to position in different spots in your workshop, particularly if you are working on a large project, you might look at a large mobile unit like the ProtectoXtra or ProtectoXtract. Alternatively, for multiple welders working in booths, a fixed system will be the most efficient form of protection.
It is important to also consider what materials you are looking to extract. If you need to extract flammable or explosive dusts you will need to look at systems designed to reduce the risk of fire.
If you are unsure or unable to find a system to suit you, Extractability can advise or even build a bespoke system to suit your needs.