If you work in a welding workshop, you know that the arc is only half the story. The smoke, metal vapours and microscopic particulates released during fusion work are a silent, lingering threat to both equipment and people. The UK’s regulator has tightened exposure limits, and enforcement visits are rising. The message is clear: without a reliable welding fume extractor, businesses face fines, downtime and reputational damage, not to mention avoidable illness.
For managers keen to stay on the right side of health and safety law, the question is no longer whether local exhaust ventilation is necessary; it’s which solution gives the most protection with the least disruption. If this is your goal, then you can do a lot worse than Freshweld.
Invisible Hazards, Very Visible Costs
Uncaptured manganese and hexavalent chromium particles irritate the lungs and can cause chronic respiratory disease, neurological disorders and even cancer. This obviously has an immense human cost, damaging people’s quality of life and even putting them at risk of death.
For a business, sick leave, early retirement, and recruitment bills soon dwarf the price of engineering controls. The equipment also suffers; electronics clog, optical sensors fail, and paint finishes deteriorate.
A smarter way to tackle fumes at source.
Traditional ducted systems drag air across an entire bay, leaving operators to chase a hood that is never quite in the right place. A modern mobile welding fume extractor flips that inefficiency. Because it can be placed a few centimetres from the weld, it captures fumes before they spread, recycles the cleaned air and follows the job instead of dictating it.
Freshweld machines are a perfect example of this.
The M1 series draws up to 1,000 m³ h¹ through a three-stage cartridge and HEPA array powered by a 230V single-phase motor, which uses 0.55 kW, less electricity than a kettle.
An articulated arm, or “acrobat”, holds position without slippage, which means your hands are freed up for the torch. It also helps to ensure capture velocity exceeds HSE’s 0.4 m s⁻¹ guideline. Larger models with twin arms protect two stations at once, doubling capacity without adding an extra unit.
Mobility Boosts Productivity
Work rarely happens in straight lines. Fixtures change, prototypes demand fast iteration, and floor layouts need to be modified as contracts come and go. A static unit chained to the ceiling can really start to drag your productivity down. The compact 480 × 480 × 830 mm footprint of the M1 makes it easy to wheel between bays or load into a van for on-site repairs.
For heavier-duty dust extraction suites, the KTF Heavy Duty Downflow Extraction Bench is a great choice. It includes an after-HEPA filter, and it is simple and easy to use. Mounted on robust castor wheels, it’s mobile despite its size.
A Simple Path to Compliance
Whether the work involves TIG finesse or heavy-gauge MIG welding, choosing an extractor doesn’t have to be complex at all. Freshweld units span a wide range of uses, which makes it easy to match torch rating, duty cycle and metal type.
Stainless welders worried about hex-chrome can get in touch with us to specify an included H13 filter upgrade, and occasional MIG users can stay with the standard setup. As with all of our partners, we keep spare parts sensibly priced and widely stocked, so there’s no risk of extended downtime.
Extraction that Brings You Clear Return on Investment
Clean air produces a faster payback than spreadsheets often credit. Absences fall, rejects decline, and electronics last longer because dust can’t settle on components. Insurance underwriters also tend to prefer companies with documented health and safety measures, which could see premiums drop. Against that backdrop, the capital outlay for a Freshweld mobile unit looks modest.
Future-Proofing Your Workshop
Regulation is, quite rightly, increasingly focused on protecting staff. This means that investing in a system with capacity in reserve buys breathing room. Freshweld units are built with modular filters and upgradable fans so they can evolve with the rulebook rather than end up on the scrap heap.
Putting People First
A safe workshop culture communicates respect. When employees see that management has gone beyond the minimum, specifying proven, high-efficiency capture devices and maintaining them properly, they tend to respond with engagement and loyalty. That intangible benefit is sometimes hard to write into a ledger, but we guarantee that you’ll feel it on the shop floor.
Need Fume and Dust Extraction Solutions for your Welding and Grinding Operations?
At VODEX, we partner with industry leaders like Freshweld to provide the best fume and dust extraction systems for your welding business. Having worked with the sector for an extensive period, we understand the challenges faced by your business and work collaboratively with you to keep your staff safe and your operations efficient.
View our full range of Freshweld solutions here, or get in touch with us to discuss your specific requirements. Our team is always on hand to help.
FAQ
Do portable welding fume extractors add to overall workshop noise?
Most portable units operate at a similar level to conversation and can lower ambient noise because large roof fans may no longer be needed.
How often should filters be replaced?
Many shops inspect filters every three to six months and replace them when pressure drops or visual checks show loading, rather than on a fixed calendar date. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that units like the KTF have cleanable cartridge filters, so it’s unlikely you’d need a filter change for at least the first two years.
Can extraction arms be fitted to existing benches?
Yes. Articulated arms can be wall-mounted, pedestal-mounted or attached to downdraft tables and linked to either mobile or central filtration, though this would be a custom solution.
Is local exhaust ventilation still required when welding outdoors?
The HSE advises extraction or adequate respiratory protection for all welding processes, indoors or outdoors, because harmful fume is produced in every case.
