Some industrial working environments entail workers spending a significant portion of their day at the workplace. During their work, they may have to get subjected to exposure to fumes emanating from welding as a result of the nature of the work they do. This necessitates the use of welding fume extractors. Both long and short-term exposure to such a working environment has its adverse effects on the human body. Some of the short-term effects of exposure to welding fumes are chills, recurring thirst, muscle ache, fever, chest soreness, coughing, wheezing, etc. The respiratory system is irritated leading to frequent hiccups and shortness of breath. Persons having prolonged exposure to such fumes are also likely to suffer from pulmonary edema and pneumonia. Long-term effects include asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and urinary tract cancer.
Welding fume extractors come equipped with very efficient filtration media that does not need an exterior duct or make-up air. The fumes generated by welding are a complex cocktail mix of metallic oxides, fluorides, and silicates. Together, these are very harmful to the human body. A healthy work environment that is safe and disease-free creates a healthy workforce. Some companies have to provide medical cover to their employees due to such side effects which become an additional expense for the organization. Therefore, investing in efficient welding fume extractors saves money in the future.
Going the extra mile also shows your employees that you are taking measures to provide the best possible working environment for them. This is bound to raise employee morale, and thus the workplace morale. A motivated and healthy worker gets back to work quicker and is at a lower risk for long-term ailments. Employees will have higher confidence in the workplace, and thus on themselves. They will be more productive, as they would not spend time worrying about the toxins floating about in their immediate working environment.
Different Types of Welding Fume Extractors
Fixed
A fixed welding fume system is made up of a series of galvanized pipes installed to collect hazardous fumes through their hoods. Once received, these fumes are transferred to a chute, from where they are expelled out of the workplace. You also get the alternative to this in the form of filtering and re-using that air into the facility.
Movable
This type of welding fume extractor can be assembled on wheels. They are easy to move and provide more freedom. They form a compact and highly efficient solution for a lot of companies.
How to Keep A Check on Welding Fumes?
First, try to get a systematic measurement of the kind of exposure to welding fumes employees to have in your facility. You can enlist the help of an industrial hygienist. This will help you review the exposure, compliance and regulatory needs.
The next step is to evaluate your welding processes or systems and finding out what kind of changes can be made in them to reduce the welding fumes. You could take the help of a supplier who has expertise in welding consumables, equipment, process, and fume extraction solutions.
The next step is to choose the type of fume extraction that is suited to the size and specifications of your industrial facility. There is a need for a proper site assessment to get the details on the application variable that needs to be thought about.
Installing a welding fume extractor is not the end-all of safe workplace features. Education and proper implementation of safe work practices are essential. The welding operators need to be made aware of the best practices in the elimination of welding fumes. Welding safety education should become a vital training initiative in related industries.
These steps will help you keep the fumes from welding processes in your facility away from the immediate contact with your employees.
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