It’s been nearly two years since
changes to rules regarding
health and safety responsibilities
got everyone talking, especially
companies who had workshops
identified as needing to create a ‘better’
environment, if they were deemed to be
compliant for their welding operations.
Since April 2016, sales staff from NZ
Duct+Flex have been focussing on getting
across the fact that they are here to help,
(not just get a sale), because a ‘quick fix’ to
appear compliant, is not necessarily a good
outcome for the staff the new legislation is
designed to protect.
Understanding the benefits of using his
company investment is down to the welder,
and means using equipment properly,
including positioning fume hoods
correctly, because the vapours or
fumes that are produced from
heating up metal to its boiling
point are very toxic. At the
time the work is being done,
welders may feel discomfort,
however the mixture of metal
oxides, silicates and fluorides can
actually lead to breathing and /or
lung disorders much later in life which is
why the legislation is there.
When Warren Heron, general manager from
Wallace Herron decided to improve fume
extraction at his busy Pukekohe workshop, he,
like many workshop operators, was concerned
about committing to the cost of products whilst
ensuring the solution would work. Warren’s
particular issue was dealing with 12 metre steel
lengths meaning a ‘fixed’ extraction system
would not be suitable as the welder needed to
move along the lengths of steel.
NZDuct+Flex offers a range of European
sourced fume solutions ex-stock and was
able to suggest the perfect product – better
fume extraction for the Wallace Heron staff
(who provide a vast range of services for the
engineering industry including repair, manufacturing
and fabrication), with no additional install
SPECIAL FEATURE: WELDING
The key to protecting workers is the
correct positioning of the fume arms
relative to the work they are carrying
out to ensure the fumes are taken
away from the welder and not drawn
towards him.
1. The fume arm hood usually needs
to be repositioned several times and
this is made easy by the all-round
grab handle on the NZ Duct+Flex
product.
2. For maximum effectiveness, a
welder should position the hood
at an angle as close to the fume
source as possible without it
obstructing his work. The metal
hood can take the heat unlike
cheaper models on the market with
plastic hoods.
3. Extraction should be started before
the welder begins operating so
the air is flowing – this avoids
eddies and the possibility that the
disturbed air redistributes the toxic.
4. After constant use over a year or
so, the arm movement can stiffen
or hinging may become too soft.
External hinging on NZ Duct+Flex
arms means the hinges are
accessible at all times so your blue
and yellow fume arm will remain
in top condition at all times –
protecting your staff.
DEALING WITH
DANGEROUS
FUMES – TWO YEARS ON
USEFUL TIPS
FOR SUCCESSFUL FUME
MANAGEMENT
PROTECT YOUR STAFF ECONOMICALLY WITH A FUME CUBE
SEE US AT
STAND 2031
36 March 2018