You only get one pair of lungs, and one pair of eyes – are you protecting your health?

All welding fume can cause lung cancer, so you must put controls in place.  It can also cause asthma and other health conditions. 

By law you must protect your workers by controlling the health risks from welding fume. This applies to specialist welders and workers who do some welding, no matter how small the amount.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend you consider controls in this order for all welding work:

1. Avoid or reduce exposure
2. Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to take the fume away at source
3. Use suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE), for example a facemask, to protect workers from inhaling fumes

LEV Options

LEV works by using an air-flow to remove contaminated air from the process for capture by the hood. Types of LEV include:

• on-torch extraction
• extracted benches
• extracted booths
• movable LEV

Weldsafe can offer on-torch extraction, for example the Fronius Exento fume extraction torch paired with the Exento HighVac system

We also offer mobile low-vacuum extraction systems, such as the Fronius Exento LowVac (230V only) and the ESAB Origo Vac W3 (110V and 230V options available). 

Both are EN ISO 21904-1 W3-certified and therefore meet the highest quality and occupational safety requirements.

Respiratory protective equipment

If you cannot achieve adequate control from LEV alone, or if it is not reasonably practicable to provide LEV, you must provide your workers with suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

When you provide RPE for your workers:

• use an FFP3 disposable mask or half-mask with P3 filter (PDF) , for work of up to an hour
• use battery-powered air-fed protective equipment for longer duration work, with a minimum assigned protection factor of 20 (APF20)
• ensure RPE wearers are clean shaven and provide face-fit testing for them

For welding outdoors, local exhaust ventilation will not work, so workers should use suitable RPE to control exposure.

You should always provide appropriate:

• personal protective equipment for your welders
• shielding to protect other workers from eye damage

Weldsafe stock the ESAB range of air fed helmets, as we feel they offer quality at good value for money.  We also stock the spares, such as filters and lenses, meaning you don’t have to wait.

Combine the ESAB EPR-X1 PAPR system (air pack) https://www.weldsafe.co.uk/esab-epr-x1-papr-system-with-expandable-hose-complete-c-67-p-6685

With any of the following Air compatible helmets, all have an Automatic Darkening Filter (ADF).

Top of the range https://www.weldsafe.co.uk/esab-sentinel-a60-air-helmet-only-c-67-p-6729

Mid range https://www.weldsafe.co.uk/0700504102-esab-savage-a41-air-black-welding-helmet-c-67-p-6955

Flip up visor https://www.weldsafe.co.uk/esab-g50-9-13-for-air-helmet-only-c-67-p-402

Weldsafe can also supply other brands including 3M Speedglas, Fronius and SWP, just ask if you have a particular brand or helmet in mind.

If you have any questions or would like a personalised quote, drop us an email at info@weldsafe.co.uk