Dust and fume extraction generally seems to be overlooked until an inspector shows up, a filter gets clogged during a shift, or an employee gets a respiratory illness from exposure to dust or fumes from the workshop. For manufacturers in the UK working with wood, metal, plastics, or composites, airborne particulates are not an irritant to be tolerated; it is a legal and operational risk and it needs to be addressed with a proper engineering solution. Employers are required to manage dust, fume and vapor exposure by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). This means that where it is reasonable, the design of the processes generates the contaminants and then considers the extraction system. For example, a welding bay needs a different kind of solution compared to a joinery shop. In that case, if a facility has both, that facility needs a solution that can handle both without cross contaminating filters or ducts. The most important aspect of an effective extraction system is ensuring that the hood, arm, or booth is positioned close enough to the point source that contaminants are drawn away before they disperse into the wider workspace. Most facilities inherit the extraction system of […]