Is it necessary to install a welding fumes extraction system?

A welding fumes extraction system is essential in industrial work environments to safeguard the health of operators and prevent them from inhaling potentially dangerous substances.

As well as enabling safe working, a fume extraction system increases the efficiency and productivity of the company.

We delve into this topic in today's article!

How to choose the most suitable welding fumes extraction system

Companies where welding activities are prolonged throughout the day and produce large quantities of fumes must necessarily be equipped with a fume extraction system.

Welding dust contains a mixture of different metals - including hexavalent chromium, manganese, nickel, lead and cadmium - whose particles, if inhaled, can be harmful to the bronchi and lungs.

For this reason, in every country, there are precise regulations that oblige employers to take preventive measures to significantly reduce the risk.

Companies often decide to install ventilation systems to cope with the problem. However, these systems are not sufficient to make the working environment safe as they do not eliminate toxic fumes, but merely provide for the exchange of air within the building.

An extraction system, on the other hand, works “locally” and removes toxic fumes directly at the source of emission, expelling them outside. If possible, the air is first filtered and, at a later stage, returned to the environment.

If the fumes are captured at the emission source, the risk of them to be spread into the environment is practically zero!

So far we have talked about the problem of a safe and healthy working environment, now let us move on to the next point.

A welding fumes extraction system also increases efficiency and productivity

It is important to emphasise how a healthy and safe working environment, in which technicians and operators can perform at their best, leads to increased profits.

Modern industrial vacuum cleaners and state-of-the-art technology make it possible to speed up work, optimise time and resources, and achieve optimal results at a lower cost.

At the same time:

• do not hinder the work of technicians
• are functional, practical and intuitive
• are energy efficient

With an appropriate design of the working area, taking into account the real needs of the workshop, it will be possible to ensure that the tools are always at hand, facilitating the operators' activities.

This enables staff to complete more tasks in less time while maintaining high quality standards.

In addition, if you opt for the introduction of welding benches, which can also be used as normal workbenches in the case of occasional work with hand-held tools, you will greatly optimise the available space.

Suction benches are part of the fixed solutions for fume extraction:

• fumes are sucked in from the countertop or side walls
• the particles are collected in a removable drawer
• the remaining smoke is sucked up by an exhaust system

The suction benches of the SAB series are made of a very resistant surface; depending on requirements, the suction bench can be supplied in a simple version, i.e. without an aspirator for centralised systems, with a directly coupled aspirator and with vertical walls.

To achieve a safe, efficient and productive working environment, it is essential that the supplier knows how to recommend the right solution for each specific need.

In particular:

• fixed systems offer high suction power and require permanent installation and a dedicated area
• mobile systems, on the other hand, are mounted on wheeled units and can be moved easily from one area to another

Stationary welding extractors can be of two types:

• with wall or ceiling-mounted arms or hoods: fumes are captured by articulated arms or hoods and conveyed to the extractor fan, then expelled outside
• tracks with sliding elements: in this case it is possible to share the arm between several stations along the track; the arm is slid by the operator as required

Mobile systems, on the other hand, consist of two macro-solutions:

• SMOBIPLUS- very compact and suitable for extracting welding fumes in light and infrequent applications
• SMOBIMAX- for heavier and medium-duty applications due to its more powerful motor equipment

WORKY designs smoke extraction systems according to customer requirements, assisting them with:

• field consultancy
• attentive and punctual commercial service
• installation of the system
• after-sales service

If you are looking for a welding fumes extraction system for your company, book a free consultation with our experts to find out more!