Site RVT Group:
Fumes are harmful solid particles that can be generated by chemical reactions such as oxidisation and thermal breakdown, and are one of the key health risks facing site workers today. Gases, mists, vapours and smoke can also cause significant harm to workers’ health.
Several applications can lead to dangerous fume production, such as heavy equipment repairs, ship repairs, steel erection, and pipe fitting. Here, different types of welding can be used, such as arc welding, MIG welding and thermit welding. Whilst workers are likely to be aware of the more obvious hazards associated with welding, such as very high temperatures and electricity, the catastrophic effects of breathing in the chemical process gases may be unknown.
Solvent vapours are also extremely dangerous. A solvent is used to dilute or dissolve another substance to create a solution and most solvents used in industry are ‘organic’ petroleum-based chemicals, which release toxic gases. Activities such as industrial coating, degreasing, manufacturing, paint removal and printing ink can lead to dangerous levels of exposure.
Capturing and filtering fumes, mists, vapours and gases at source, whilst continuously forcing fresh air into the work area, is essential to maintain a safe environment for workers. A site lacking in adequate fume control now can result in poor health later.
The effect of fumes, mists, vapours and gases can vary substantially depending on the exposure time, type and concentration. In the short term, workers can experience headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue when exposed to these hazards. Exposure to solvent vapours can also result in reddening and blistering of the skin, as well as poor coordination.
In the long term, inhaling the dangerous fumes, mists, vapours or gases can result in conditions including lung disease, heart disease, brain and nerve damage, and decreased fertility. Some more volatile fumes, such as welding fumes, have also been classified as carcinogenic, meaning that they can cause a range of cancers, including lung, kidney, and bladder cancer. Solvent vapours have also been linked to the development of Dementia in later life.
Without effective control measures in place, the fume produced on site today can have a huge negative impact on your workers’ health in future.
A proven methodology, devised by the RVT Group, to ensure effective control of all on-site health hazards.
Activities such as painting, welding and burning, cause dangerous fumes that can quickly damage your health if not properly controlled. It is important to capture and filter these fumes at source, whilst continuously forcing fresh air into the work area, to ensure that workers can continue their activities in a safe environment.
The effect of fumes varies substantially depending on the exposure time, type of fumes and concentration of fumes. Workers could therefore experience anything from dizziness and fatigue, to lung disease and heart disease. Some of the more volatile fumes, such as welding fumes, have been classified as carcinogenic, which means that they can cause cancer.
RVT believe that effective fume control can be managed in three easy steps;
Fume extraction and filtration units are the ideal solutions to hazardous fume on site. By positioning the capture hood as close as possible to the activity that is producing fume, you allow the fume to be captured, contained and controlled, reducing the dangerous particles in the atmosphere and preventing migration to outside the work zone.
RVT offer a wide range of fume control solutions which are available to hire.
Ravex fume extraction units help to ensure that you remain well within Work Exposure Standard (WES) limits
Ravex units are durable and reliable, ensuring you don't have any downtime on site
A variety of filters available to suit different applications
Welding Filters enable you to remain compliant with state regulations
Capable of removing hot and volatile fumes when used in conjunction with our spark guard
Albeit paint fume, welding fume, vapours or other volatile substances, Ravex is the ideal fume control solution
From small welding filter units to full scale fume extraction and ventilation systems
All RVT products are fully approved to European standards and hold third party certification
“This is the first time I have done business with the RVT Group and based on the experience it will not be the last if I need to hire portable dust extraction equipment again.”
