First Mining Drc-Zambia March -April 2020 digital edition First Mining Drc-Zambia March - April 2020 digital | Page 33

FEATURE
BMG’s products and solutions
for welding fume extraction
B
MG’s Tools & Equipment division
has introduced a range of specialist
products, systems and services to
assist industry to create a healthy and
safe work environment, by reducing the
risks associated with welding and cutting
fumes, grinding dust and oil mist.
“Global industry has instituted new
legislation – even in agriculture - to
protect workers from the harmful effects
of welding. We at BMG believe local
businesses need to be more cognisant
about the hazards of welding fumes and
how important it is to protect workers’
health through the extraction and control
of welding fumes,” states Andrew Johns,
business unit manager, Tools and
Equipment division, BMG.
“Airborne welding fumes are a mixture
of metal fumes and gases produced
during welding operations, that are
harmful to workers. Toxic welding fumes
can contain a mixture of manganese,
chromium VI, carbon dioxide, nitrous
oxide and ozone - which cause serious
short and long-term health problems.
“In line with BMG’s commitment to
keeping abreast with global trends, the
company ensures its customer base
has access to the latest equipment and
advanced technologies in all sectors.
Through our broad product portfolio and
technical solutions service, we play a
critical role in local industry to ensure a
cleaner, safer and healthier workplace.
The process of ensuring clean air in
the work environment involves various
phases, from analysis and design, to
supply, installation, commissioning and
ongoing support.
“Our welding products and services
are tailored to meet specific customer
requirements and encompass source
extraction,
personal
protection
equipment (PPE), general filtration and
extraction hoods.
“International standards for the preferred
order in which welding fumes should be
captured, are firstly source extraction,
which contributes significantly to a better
work environment. The next step is the
provision of adequate PPE, followed by
the separation of source and worker by
automation, for example via extraction
hoods.
General
filtration
and
ventilation
systems are also critical in keeping the
concentration of welding fumes within
legal limits, according to international
guidelines. The most effective solution
for a cleaner workshop, is normally a
combination of all these methods.”
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