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Dust and fume may be generated in practically any kind of work environment. The consequences of the exposure vary, but the exposure is invariably unhealthy in and of itself. Some examples of environments where dust and fume exposure may occur are:
This depends on the type and degree of exposure. Industrial bakery employees, paint sprayers and those who inhale solder fumes in the electronics industry are examples of workers who are susceptible to occupational asthma; as are those inhaling airborne metalworking fluids while operating CNC machines. Occupational alveolitis is a known risk in the food processing industry, and those who work with mineral dusts risk contracting various kinds of pneumoconiosis (asbestosis from asbestos, silicosis from silica, for example). Welders can suffer from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both caused by substances found in welding fumes, such as nickel and chromium.
The combination of stricter regulations and substance reclassification is a development that is likely to continue
Many cases of asbestosis, silicosis and lung cancer are the result of the great lack of knowledge surrounding dust and fume in the past, as well as the poor working practices of that time. What was once considered fully acceptable is now prohibited; a development that is likely to continue, with increasingly strict regulations on dust and fume exposure in the future. Substances and processes once thought of as non-carcinogenic have since been reclassified as carcinogenic. The recent reclassification of mild steel welding fume by the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is indicative of a major reevaluation process of these substances and the hazards they pose, even in small quantities.
As knowledge of substances and their impact on health will only increase over time, one can expect a gradual tightening of the limits of exposure. Take the example of manganese, a substance found in welding fume. Manganese has been found to cause harm to the nervous system, and repeated high exposures may even cause a condition known as ‘manganism’, with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. The current workplace exposure limit for manganese is 0.5 milligrams per m3 (on an eight hour time weighted average). However, the European Union has proposed that the exposure limit should be reduced to 0.2 milligrams per m3. There will also be an additional, specific standard for respirable particles: 0.05 milligrams per m3.
Evaluating the hierarchy of control is a good first step in establishing how a company can work with lowering dust and fume exposure. Below is a list of factors to consider:
At Windfields Mechanical Group Inc., we provide industrial dust and fume extraction solutions to help commercial, institutional, municipal and industrial facilities across Canada manage airborne contaminants and support cleaner, safer working environments.
Our solutions focus on capturing harmful dust, welding fumes and other airborne contaminants as close to their source as possible. Effective source capture helps reduce the spread of contaminants throughout the workplace, while appropriate filtration equipment collects airborne particles and helps minimize their release back into the environment.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is a widely used method for controlling airborne contaminants at the point where they are generated. Depending on the application, extraction solutions may include welding fume extraction arms, on-tool or on-torch extraction, downdraft tables, extraction booths, enclosures and industrial dust collection systems.
Windfields Mechanical supplies industrial extraction equipment and supports projects with sheet metal services and ductwork solutions to meet the operational requirements of each facility.
Even with effective source-capture equipment, some airborne contaminants may escape into the surrounding environment. Cross-drafts, open doors, changing work activities and facility ventilation can affect extraction performance.
Where required, supplementary air-cleaning and ambient extraction solutions can help manage contaminants that escape direct source capture. Combining appropriate source extraction with suitable filtration and ventilation measures can help improve overall workplace air quality.
Windfields Mechanical works with established manufacturers to supply industrial air-cleaning, welding fume extraction, dust collection, vehicle exhaust extraction and ventilation equipment for commercial and industrial applications across Canada.
From equipment supply and sheet metal ductwork to installation coordination, service and maintenance support, we help customers identify solutions suited to their facility, application and operational needs. Equipment selection and system configuration depend on the specific contaminants, work processes and site requirements. Manufacturer engineering support is available where required.
Looking for a dust or fume extraction solution for your facility?
Control of exposure to welding fumes can usually be achieved with the help of extraction and ventilation. The choice of technique depends on the application. The aim is to capture the welding fumes as close to the source as possible. This protects not only the welder but also other workers. Welding Fume Extraction systems are designed to extract welding smoke from a number of workstations but are also used for general housekeeping. Factors that influence which fume capture method include the types of parts being welded, exposure limits, operator method, fume generation method and complexity.
Fume Generation Rates – Different welding processes and materials result in higher fume generation rates. For example, higher welding duty cycle, welding with flux or oily/dirty surfaces will have higher fume concentrations and will need a more robust solution.
Number of Welders – When you have multiple welders or machines generating fume, it may be more economical to have a central fume extraction system engineered to fit your specific needs. This could be applied to multiple welding robots or support several welder workstations.
Wherever it is a viable solution, it has been proven that extraction at source is the most efficient method of capturing and removing welding and similar fumes. Using this method, the risk of the welder or operator being subject to hazardous fumes is minimized. Welding torches with integrated extraction allow the welder to work over big areas as well as inside constructions. It is also reducing heating and cooling costs by reducing the amount of heated / cooled air extracted from the premises.
Windfields Mechanical Group Inc. provides custom welding fume extraction and weld fume removal systems for a wide range of industries across Canada. Our solutions are designed for facilities where welding, fabrication, cutting, grinding, and other processes generate airborne fumes and particulates.
Whether you operate a small welding shop or a large industrial manufacturing facility, Windfields Mechanical Group Inc. can design and supply a welding fume extraction system suited to your processes, workspace, and production requirements. We provide Nederman and Eurovac welding fume and dust extraction solutions, including source-capture systems, extraction arms, portable extractors, welding benches, centralized filtration, and ambient air cleaning.
Serving businesses throughout Ontario with professional welding fume extraction design, supply, installation, and service.
Choosing the right welding fume extraction system depends on yourThe number of active welding stations helps determine the required extraction capacity, from a single workstation to a centralized welding fume extraction system.
Capture fumes as close to the welding point as possible using extraction arms, hoods, downdraft tables, welding benches and portable fume extractors.
Consider your shop size, ceiling height, equipment placement,
workflow and air movement when designing your welding fume removal system.
Choose a scalable system that can accommodate additional welding
stations, equipment and increased production as your facility grows.
A professional assessment can help determine the appropriate airflow, extraction capacity, filtration, ductwork and equipment for your application.
Windfields Mechanical supplies
Nederman and Eurovac welding fume and dust extraction solutions for a wide range of industrial applications.
Windfields Mechanical Group Inc. provides custom welding fume extraction systems across Canada including system design, equipment supply, installation, maintenance and service.
