Welding Operation and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fume Extraction Guns - Case Study Example

 HSE Chemical Hazards Introduction Welding is a fabrication process helping in joining materials and metals. This is done by melting the metal or material and filling it with other materials to form the joint. Welding has been used by a number of industries across the world and has emerged as one of the useful tools in fabrication. There are a number of welding tools and forms and TIG and MIG welding tops the list in a significant manner. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas signifying the tungsten electrode and inert gas surrounding it. TIG can be used to weld copper and titanium metals and can also be used to weld steel and aluminium. On the other hand, MIG welding has also gained significant acceptance in different industries. MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. It is a welding process that was developed in early 40s and is often semi-automated in nature. This means that welders still need to showcase efficient skills and expertise in managing the welding process in a systematic manner. MIG welding is mainly used in the fabrication industry where production is usually high (Head and Silk, 2009) All these welding processes require appropriate skills and expertise along with safety measures. However, one of the highly concerning factors associated with welding is the generation of metal dust and welding fume. Metal dusts are small and medium sized particles that are harmful for the environment and people around. On the other hand, welding fume is the generation of fume in the form of gas that is again quite harmful for the people and environment. Though, welding fume and metal dusts are bound to be generated as the process cannot be initiated without it; initiatives and measures can be taken to safeguard the safety and health of people associated. The major purpose of this discussion is to discuss and describe the features of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) along with features and systems that would control such emissions in a significant manner (Evans, et al, 2009). Local Exhaust Ventilation Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is a machine that helps in extracting air from a process that further helps in controlling and reducing the fumes, gases, and dust particles in an efficient and effective manner. Additionally, LEV is an engineering control system that helps sin sucking the containments along with safeguarding the health of people. Most LEV systems include hood from where the containments enter; ducting from where contaminates and air is transported; fan that powers the system; discharge of extracted air to a safe place, and air cleaner to clean the extracted air in a significant manner. There are a number of LEV systems that differ in shape and size and needs to be discussed for a better understanding (Tandon, et al, 2004). Total Enclosure- the process is totally enclosed and air is mainly extracted from the enclosure. At the same time, it requires little space to extract air in a significant manner and is not so much utilised in big industries. Partial Enclosure- the process is not totally closed and individuals can easily access the process. Air is pulled and passed into the enclosure. This kind of enclosure is not very much in demand but still used in many industries. Capture Hoods- this process is not covered by the hood or enclosed. Containments are pulled into the system. This kind of LEV is quite big and productive in nature suggesting the fact that large amount of dusts and fume can be extracted helping in creating a sustainable and favourable environment. Receiving Hoods- the process does not require any hood or enclosure. It also provides energy to deliver the containment to the hood. This can be considered as one of the ideal ways of ensuring a safe and secure environment. It needs to be mentioned that different industries use different LEVs as per their needs and demands and oftentimes, LEV helps in ensuring a better and healthy environment. Welding and Grinding Emissions Hazardous air pollutants are the major concern associated with the welding process. It needs to be mentioned that only electric arc welding process generates more pollutants compared to other welding processes and systems. Additionally, pollutants being generated by the welding processes are smaller in size but often results in serious health complications. As per the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is important and mandatory for any employer to maintain high level of environmental and workplace safety. It is also important to safeguard employees and environment by using systems that can mitigate the negative impact of welding and grinding processes in a systematic manner. Not all welding and grinding processes are harmful considering the fact that not many results in the generation of high amount of dusts and fume. However, majority of welding and grinding processes results in the generation of contaminants that are very harmful for employees and the environment. Thus, there is a need for better systems to deal with such issues in the long run (Roelof, et al, 2007). Nature of the Emission from Welding and Grinding Welding results in the generation of welding fumes and pollutants that are harmful for the health and environment. Welding fumes are mixture of metallic oxides, fluorides, and silicates. Additionally, these are produces once the metal is heated resulting into the condensed fine particles. Welding results in the formation of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrogen chloride, and nitrogen chloride. Furthermore, the nature of these emissions is quite concerning as they tend to be quite harmful. The impact of the dust particles, pollutants, contaminants, and fumes is closely analysed in the long run as the impact starts showing effect slowly. On the other hand, grinding results in the formation of dust particles that is again quite harmful for individuals being exposed and the environment (Gjolstad, et al, 2006). Features of Local Exhaust Ventilation System Some of the key features associated with LEV have been discussed in length that will further help in understanding the significance of LEVs (Korczynski, 2010). Air Filtering and Cleaning System- LEVs help in filtering the air along with cleaning the system that is important in dealing with safety issues. It needs to be mentioned that there are a number of containments available in the environment and majority of LEVs are capable of filtering those contaminates. Additionally, air can be filtered in a simple and precise manner helping in cleaning the system. Air Mover or Fan- Air flow plays an important and crucial role in filtering the air along with cleaning the system. Air mover needs to offer sufficient air flow rate so that contaminates can be extracted in an efficient manner. Air mover needs to transport contaminates in an efficient manner. Additionally, air mover helps in transferring large amount of contaminates in an easy and hassle free manner. The importance of air mover lies in transferring the dust particles in an effective manner irrespective of the amount and size of the dust particles. Discharge System- discharge system plays an important and crucial role in handling the discharge of contaminates in an efficient manner. When the air filtering system filters the air and system with the help on the fan, it needs to be discharged in the discharge system so that contaminates can be managed and disposed. Discharge system helps in removing and eliminating the dirt and fumes from the system. Maintenance- maintaining an LEV is a simple task and can be done with the help of an expert or skilled individual. There is no doubt that initial training is required to manage the selected LEV but later, it becomes easy and simple to manage it in a hassle free manner. Furthermore, maintenance happens every month and initiatives need to be taken for better results and outcomes. Advantages of LEVs There are a number of advantages associated with the use of LEVs in the industrial environment. At first, LEVs help in localising the polluted air directly at the source pollution and later removing it from the workplace. Secondly, every industry is affected by the pollutants and contaminants that need to be controlled and managed as per the government guidelines. In this regard, LEVs help in controlling the hazardous pollutants along with emitting them out of the workplace in an efficient manner. Thirdly, pollutants spread from one place to another and use of LEVs help in mitigating this spread. This also helps in making sure that healthy environment is created for workers. LEVs also enhance the quality of air being inhaled in a critical manner. Overall, it can be said that there are a number of benefits being associated with the use of LEVs and effective use and utilisation of LEVs help in adding value to the working environment along with safeguarding the health of workers in a systematic manner (Head and Silk, 2009). Disadvantages of LEVs There are a number of disadvantages associated with the use of LEVs. One of the key disadvantages is in the form of actual placement of the system. This may require good amount of planning and brainstorming. In addition, wrong placement especially in the breathing zone can affect the entire set of benefits. Another disadvantage is in the form of disposal as disposing pollutants require a systematic approach and lack of it can affect the environment in a serious manner. Large number of employees needs to have appropriate training and skills for managing the system. Lack of proper training and planning can affect the benefits in the long run. Finally, using LEVs require fulfilling of regulations and standards along with high maintenance cost. This may affect the overall operational framework and thus proper initiatives need to be taken for better maintenance and value creation process (Tandon, et al, 2004). Regulations and Testing Involved with LEVs Every year in the UK, thousands of occupational workers suffer health issues mainly because of the dust particles, fumes, and other contaminates. As per the legal requirement set by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is important for all employers to offer a healthy working environment to all workers. Additionally, any employer using LEVs need to test and examine equipments every 14 months to ensure better functionality and operations. As per the regulations, LEV testing involves examination of hoods, ducts, filters, and measurement of technical performance. As per the HSE guidelines, Purex will determine whether the installed systems need any modification or not. Additionally, recommendations are also offered based on the assessment and examination of the system. The guidelines issues by HSE are based on ensuring high standards of safety and maintenance. Additionally, the HSE has set exposure limits for controlling hazardous gases through the Control of Substance Hazard to Health. Under this, companies are supposed to prevent, control, and monitor dust and pollutant exposures in a systematic manner (Health and Safety Executive, 2015). Performance Criteria to be Achieved Performance criteria in this regards are quite simple. At first, it is important to analyse the need for LEVs in different parts and after that shape and size along with the nature and features should be finalised. Once, the system is installed, performance needs to be evaluated and examined every month. For this purpose, the overall secretion of dust and fumes need to be calculated per month. Additionally, purity of air at the workplace where the systems are installed also need to be analysed and assessed every month. This process should be continued for a period of one year along with following the standards and regulations of HSE. Once the required criteria offered by the HSE are fulfilled, the practice should be further continued. Measurement of the Performance Criteria As stated before, the HSE has already stated how much gases can be released at the workplace and which gas has an unfavourable impact on the health and safety of people. As per the stated criteria, the performance of the LEV system needs to be analysed manually or through third parties. Additionally, the purity of air and improvement in the health of working environment also needs to be analysed and compared in a critical manner. Conclusion On the basis of the above discussion, it can be said that majority of the industries in the UK are affected by the health issues triggered by the rise of pollutants and fumes mainly because of the grinding and welding work. In this regard, LEVs are found to be quite effective and beneficial in terms of managing the pollutants and creating a healthy environment. Overall, it was found that as per the HSE regulations, it is important for organisations in the UK to offer a healthy environment to workers and LEVs help in doing so but requires appropriate planning and efficient maintenance. References Evans, R. M et al (2009) Fumes and Gases in the Welding Environment, American Welding Society, Miami. Gjolstad, M, et al (2006) Occupational Exposure to Airborne Solvents during Nail Sculpturing.” J Environmental Monitoring, 2006 8: 537-542. Head, I.W and Silk, S. J (2009) Integral Fume Extraction In MIG/CO2 Welding, Metal Construction, 11(12):633-638 Health and Safety Executive (2015) Welding fume- Reducing the Risk. [Online] Available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/fume-welding.htm. [Accessed February, 26, 2015] Korczynski RE (2010) Occupational health concerns in the welding industry. Apple Occup Env Hyg 2010; 15:936-45 Roelof, C, et al (2007) Results from a Community-based Occupational Health Survey of Vietnamese-American Nail Salon Workers. J Immigrant Minority Health, 2007 October; 10: 353-361. Tandon, R K et al (2004) Fume Generation And Melting Rates Of Shielded Metal Arc Welding Electrodes, Welding Journal, 63(8):263s-266s. Wallace M, Shulman S, Sheehy J (2010) Comparing exposure levels by type of welding operation and evaluating the effectiveness of fume extraction guns. Appl Occup Env Hyg 2001; 16:771-9. Read More