Saturday, August 22, 2009

Dust and Fume Collection for Welding

Worker safety is critically important in welding applications. A huge priority should be placed on clean air when welding, since welding smoke has been linked to a variety of illnesses. A well designed and maintained dust and fume collection system is needed to prevent respiratory problems and keep facilities in compliance with current air quality requirements. In some cases, a good dust collection and ventilation system can eliminate the need for personal respirators and the challenges of getting employees to wear them.

Also, the equipment currently used in fabricating plants has reached a new level of sophistication. Robotic welding and other computerized systems are more sensitive than machinery was 10 or 20 years ago. If dust is not collected properly from welding stations or similar areas, a million-dollar investment can be ruined in no time. Several photos of dust collector installations on welding applications can be viewed here.