In industrial environments welding plays a critical role in manufacturing, fabrication, and construction. Yet despite its importance, welding can pose serious health risks if not properly controlled—especially through the inhalation of welding fumes.
Recent updates from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have brought renewed focus to the hazards of welding fume exposure, making effective fume extraction not just good practice, but a legal requirement.
What Are Welding Fumes?
Welding fumes are a complex mixture of fine particles and gases produced when metals are heated above their melting point. These fumes often contain harmful substances such as:
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Chromium VI
- Carbon monoxide
- Ozone
Prolonged or repeated exposure to these fumes has been linked to serious health conditions, including occupational asthma, lung cancer, metal fume fever, and neurological damage.
HSE and UK Legal Requirements
The HSE classifies all welding fume, regardless of type as a carcinogen. Since 2019, the HSE has required that all indoor welding activities be carried out with suitable engineering controls, such as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), to capture fumes at source.
Employers must:
- Assess risks under COSHH regulations
- Install proper LEV systems or fume extraction units
- Provide adequate respiratory protection when extraction alone isn’t enough
- Conduct regular air monitoring and maintenance
Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties, including enforcement notices and prosecution.
Why Effective Fume Extraction Matters
1. Protects Worker Health
First and foremost, efficient fume extraction protects welders and others in the surrounding environment from hazardous airborne particles. Clean air ensures fewer illnesses, less absenteeism, and a safer working environment.
2. Supports Legal Compliance
With regulations tightening, proper fume extraction helps businesses stay compliant with HSE standards, reducing the risk of costly fines and operational disruption.
3. Improves Productivity
Cleaner air leads to better visibility, less fatigue, and improved morale—helping workers stay focused and efficient.
4. Demonstrates Employer Responsibility
Investing in fume extraction systems demonstrates a commitment to employee wellbeing and environmental responsibility, supporting your brand reputation and values.
Choosing the Right Welding Fume Extraction System
The right system depends on several factors:
- Type of welding process (e.g. MIG, TIG, stick)
- Materials used
- Duration and frequency of welding
- Workshop layout and ventilation
Options include:
- On-torch fume extraction
- Bench-top LEV systems
- Portable extraction units
- Centralised ducted extraction systems
A proper assessment from an experienced provider is essential to choosing a compliant and effective solution.
Fumex Ltd, design, supply, and maintain a wide range of welding fume extraction systems for workshops, factories, colleges, and MOD sites across the UK. Our engineers are fully qualified under BOHS standards and trained to deliver COSHH-compliant solutions tailored to your workspace.
