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    The importance of getting dust and fume extraction right

    Proactively managing dust and fume extraction is important for two primary reasons: protecting the health of workers and other people on site, and complying with the law.

    Vent-Tech help you get dust extraction and fume extraction right. Not only do our fully-qualified engineers help you get the right systems and keep them functioning effectively. But we also ensure you have the right documentation and training.

    With all dust extraction and fume extraction systems we offer the following:

    • Benchmark performance guarantees.
    • User training on system operation and service checks.
    • Full documentation including equipment operation and maintenance manuals; commissioning reports; user manuals and a log book.

    Why is extraction needed?

    If inhaled, dust and fumes can be seriously hazardous to health. Continuous exposure can cause severe respiratory diseases. That’s why strict regulation is in place. If you do not comply with it you can be hit with fines (which are increasing all the time). Some Directors are even receiving suspended prison sentences. Every year, the HSE publish statistics about health and safety in the workplace. These reveal that:

    • 3 million workers are suffering from a work-related illness (new or long standing) in 2016/17.
    • 7 million working days are lost due to work-related illness.
    • 13,000 deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work, primarily to chemicals or dusts.
    • 18,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems are estimated to occur annually.
    • £14.9 billion of annual costs are attributed to new cases of work-related illness in 2016/17, excluding long latency illness such as cancer.

    Types of dusts and fumes

    There are numerous types of dusts and fumes that can occur in the workplace. Here are some common examples.

    Dust extraction – examples of high risk dusts:

    • Food dusts like flour dust.
    • Woodworking dust.
    • Construction dust.

    Fume extraction – examples of high risk fumes

    • Fumes from welding.
    • Fumes from painting
    • Soldering fumes.
    • Chemical fumes.

    If any of these dusts or fumes, or other types are present in your workplace, it is essential to make sure you have a regulation-compliant dust extraction and/or fume extraction system.

    Benefits of compliance with dust and fume extraction regulation

    The benefits of complying with dust and fume extraction regulation are numerous, spanning health and wellbeing, business productivity, and legal compliance:

    • Help protect your employees and their health.
    • Ensure compliance with HSE, COSHH, and any other regulations applicable to your business.
    • Avoid the worry and stress of health compensation claims being made by staff for inadequate protection.
    • Reduce contamination of surfaces as well as the machines you service, produce or work on.
    • Provide a safer, better working environment for everyone.

    To talk to an LEV expert, call us on 0117 964 7945 today or complete a contact form.