Exploring Welding Fume Extraction at Trinder Group
Exploring Welding Fume Extraction at Trinder Group
23/01/2024 | Welding Equipment
Table of Contents
In an era where workplace safety is paramount, Trinder Group stands at the forefront with their commitment to health and safety.
The industrial welding field is one of the most challenging for health and safety. Still, under the leadership of Managing Director Kerry Hill, Trinder Group is not just meeting but exceeding standards in workplace safety.
Their focus on advanced welding fume extraction techniques is a testament to their dedication to protecting their workforce. This approach is reshaping how industrial safety is viewed, positioning Trinder Group as a model of innovation and care in a sector where health risks are significant.
Their proactive stance showcases an unwavering commitment to the well-being of their team.
Addressing Health Risks: Advanced Fume Extraction in Welding
The welding industry has faced significant health concerns for years due to welding fumes, but many companies have taken a typical Kiwi “she’ll be right “ approach.
Kerry Hill's observation, "Welding fume isn't good for you, and so we're looking for every practical way to reduce the fume," highlights an increasing industry-wide recognition of these hazards.
This focus on minimising fume exposure is about compliance with safety standards and a deeper understanding of the significant long-term health impacts on workers. Efforts to innovate and implement safer practices demonstrate a clear shift towards more responsible and health-conscious operations in the welding sector.
Trinder Group has taken a proactive stance by incorporating at-source fume extraction systems into their operations, including the Binzel xFUME® ADVANCED Dual Torch Fume Extractor Package and the Binzel xFUME® PRO 36 Fume Extraction Torches. These systems represent a significant technological advancement, offering a practical solution to mitigate the spread of harmful particles. The choice of a dual suction system exemplifies the company's commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in eliminating toxic welding fumes from the workplace.
Hill observes that these systems' visible differences are incredible: "The eye-opener is when you open the filter tray after not a very long time, and you see the amount of visible particulate in the tray."
Evolving Safety Practices: Beyond Compliance to Moral Responsibility
The shift towards better safety practices is not just a compliance issue but a moral one. "There's a moral obligation as well just to be doing the right thing," Hill states, highlighting the company's ethos. This sentiment is echoed by the welding supervisor, Wayne Martin, who, with a history of respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure to welding fumes, advocates passionately for these new safety measures.
Senior tradesman Damian shares his experience with the new Binzel xFUME® ADVANCED Dual Torch Fume Extractor Package, noting its efficacy: "It's surprising how much it picks up when you empty the tray." Introducing tools like the Binzel xFUME® PRO 36 Fume Extraction Torches and improved welding helmets has visibly cleared the air, making a tangible difference in the workshop environment.
Trinder Engineers' journey towards a safer workplace is not just about adhering to regulations but redefining industry standards for health and safety. As Hill rightly questions, "Is the minimum good enough?" At Trinder Group, they believe it is not, and their actions speak volumes about their commitment to the well-being of their employees and the industry at large.
As the focus on workplace health intensifies, Trinder Group stands out for its innovative strategies in enhancing welding fume extraction. Their commitment to this cause marks a significant step in creating a healthier industrial environment. By leading with such initiatives, Trinder Group ensures a safer workplace for its employees and sets a precedent for the industry, advocating for more significant health consciousness and safety standards. Their efforts represent a crucial shift towards acknowledging and addressing the long-term health impacts of industrial work, making them a key player in shaping a safer future in industrial workshops and worksites.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Fume Extraction Systems Work?
Much like a conventional household vacuum, a fume extraction system is like a vacuum you would use at home, but instead is designed specifically for weld smoke collection and filtration, and built for industrial-specific requirements. This means these units are stronger, more powerful, and more durable than what you would associate any household vacuum with.
The inner housing of a fume extraction unit has a filter and a motor that creates negative static pressure. From a functional standpoint, it is a simple system. The unit creates vacuum pressure using a motor/blower like in a shop vac. A turbine within the unit spins at a rapid rate to create the power needed to collect fumes while the welder welds with the torch. These industrial-designed systems use specific blowers to get the very high static pressure you need to work with a welding torch.
How Do Fume Extraction Torches Work?
A fume extraction MIG torch operates, on the welding side, no different from any other MIG welding torch. They use the same components (consumables, wire, cable, etc.) the only difference is that a fume extraction torch has a housing built-in, around those original components, and a front-end opening that we call a ''shroud'' to extract welding fumes directly at the source. Additionally, there is a larger diameter hose that surrounds the torch cable as a conduit for the smoke to travel to the vacuum unit/system where the smoke is filtered and expelled.
The general functioning principle of a fume extraction MIG torch is to extract the maximum amount of welding fumes possible, without affecting the weld puddle. If the vacuum pressure of the fume extraction torch is too high, you run the risk of extracting your shielding gas, which can lead to porosity in your weld. Start with the same parameters that you normally use and adjust the vacuum pressure around those parameters.
What does the Binzel xFUME® ADVANCED Dual Torch Fume Extractor Package include?
It includes 2x XFume Pro 36-4M Fume Torches, Fume Shunt, 5M Fume Hose & 50mm Cuffs.
What benefits have been observed with the Binzel fume extraction systems?
These systems are effective in capturing a significant amount of particulates, visibly improving air quality. This creates a healthier industrial working environment and helps to advocate for greater health consciousness
What significant health concern does the welding industry face and how can this be mitigated?
The industry grapples with health risks associated with inhaling welding fumes. One option to mitigate this is to incorporate at-source fume extraction systems like the Binzel xFUME® ADVANCED Dual Torch Fume Extractor Package and the Binzel xFUME® PRO 36 Fume Extraction Torches
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