Full Description
Auto Extract Systems designs, supplies and installs workshop dust extraction systems for commercial and industrial workplaces across the UK. From small workshop dust extractors to complete centralised extraction and dust collection systems, we can design an LEV solution around your processes, workspace and contaminants.
Our workshop extraction systems control dust, fumes, and other airborne contaminants generated by fabrication, woodworking, vehicle maintenance, welding, and other workshop activities.
What Airborne Dangers Should I Worry About?
In a workshop, several dangers require attention, and none is more dangerous than the invisible threat of airborne hazards. Contaminants like exhaust fumes and wood dust may be hard to see with the naked eye, but they are common particulates in this industry and can cause serious health problems if they enter the body.
Workshops are typically places where businesses manufacture goods or carry out repairs, producing hazardous particles. Whether you work in fabrication, education, motorsport, or a similar sector, these environments can be challenging to manage for dust and fume risks. An LEV solution, such as a workshop dust extraction system, is recommended to capture and remove harmful airborne particulates before they contaminate workers.
Dangerous substances formed in a workshop include:
- Exhaust fumes (particularly diesel fumes) - Emitted by vehicles when the engine is left running. In confined spaces, such as an automotive workshop, exhaust fumes can be dangerous if inhaled.
- Solvent vapour - Solvents may evaporate, forming vapour in the air. Inhaling solvent vapours can cause health complications, including long-term diseases like lung and kidney damage.
- Dust particles - Your workshop may carry out processes forming various dust particles, including wood and silica dust. Inhaling large amounts of dust is a significant hazard and one of the most common dangers in this sector.
- Epoxy sprays - Spraying epoxy, such as for a coating, will leave a mist in the air. Spray mist causes many of the health problems mentioned above, plus eye, nose, and throat irritation when it contacts the skin.
- Welding fumes - Workshops that involve metal fabrication and welding should be especially mindful of the dangers welding fumes pose. Exposure to these toxic fumes can lead to lung damage and different types of cancer.
Businesses can often overlook these toxic materials and the risks they pose. A spacious environment or open doors and windows isn't enough to improve ventilation. Exposure to hazardous particles can have serious health consequences, so you must implement effective work dust collection systems.
We Have The Solution for Your Workshop
We help businesses of all kinds provide pollution-free workplaces, with extensive experience delivering workshop dust extraction solutions across different environments. Contact us today to see how we can protect your workshop from toxic substances.
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What Is a Workshop Dust Extractor?
In industrial environments, countless health and safety hazards can arise. When work involves specialised manufacturing or repair equipment, toxic particulates such as dust and exhaust fumes can be released into the workplace. A workshop dust extractor helps create a cleaner, safer environment. Extraction systems capture dangerous substances at the source, removing them before they reach people and improving air quality. Workshop dust extraction systems come in several types, from portable extractors to larger, fixed systems. Speak to a member of our team to find the extractor that's best for you.
Workshop Dust Extraction Systems for Different Applications
Every workshop has different extraction requirements depending on the materials handled, the processes involved and the size of the working environment. We provide tailored workshop dust extraction systems designed to capture hazardous dust and airborne contaminants at source, helping businesses maintain safer, cleaner working conditions.
From individual workshop dust extractors to larger, centralised dust collection systems, our solutions can be adapted to a wide range of applications, including:
Fabrication and Grinding Workshops
Metal fabrication, cutting, sanding, and grinding can generate significant airborne dust and fine particles. Our workshop extraction systems can incorporate dust extraction arms, downdraught benches and high-vacuum extraction to capture contaminants at the source.
Woodworking and Joinery Workshops
Sawing, sanding, routing and other woodworking processes release wood dust that can pose serious respiratory health risks. We provide workshop dust collection systems using direct machine connections, extraction ducting and specialist filtration equipment to collect wood dust and debris efficiently.
Automotive and Bodyshop Workshops
Vehicle repair and bodyshop environments can generate dust through sanding, grinding, surface preparation and other maintenance activities. Our workshop dust extractors include high-vacuum systems, portable extraction units, and direct connections to help control dust exposure throughout the workspace.
Welding and Metalworking Workshops
Welding and metalworking activities can produce hazardous fumes, along with dust from grinding, cutting, and surface preparation. We offer tailored extraction solutions that combine appropriate dust collection equipment with welding fume extraction systems to control different airborne contaminants at the source.
Educational and Training Workshops
Schools, colleges, and universities often have workshops that accommodate a variety of practical activities, including woodworking, engineering, and metal fabrication. We can design workshop dust extraction systems around individual workstations, machinery and shared working areas, with portable and fixed extraction solutions suited to the facility's requirements.
Maintenance and Industrial Workshops
Industrial maintenance facilities often undertake multiple activities, from machinery repairs and component cleaning to cutting and grinding. We provide flexible workshop extraction solutions, including extraction arms, high-vacuum systems and centralised dust collectors, to help manage airborne contaminants across different workstations and processes.
What the HSE Recommends for Workshops
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for ensuring employees' safety and welfare and helping prevent work-related accidents and injuries. At Auto Extract, we specialise in extracting hazardous materials. Working with fumes, dust, wood, and other processes can pose significant health risks. The HSE's HSG129 guidance booklet provides health and safety advice tailored to engineering workshops. The guide covers key safety measures for specific processes, such as welding, including the use of extraction equipment, screens, eye protection, and protective clothing.
Local exhaust ventilation systems are critical products for controlling exposure levels; however, they must be used correctly and safely. HSG129 states that systems must be thoroughly examined "every 14 months for most processes" or "every six months where metal articles are abraded or polished for more than 12 hours a week." The document also explains how to make the most of LEV systems, including installing a tailored solution, keeping the hood close to the source of contamination, and ensuring the fan draws air away from the operator.
The HSE also has an EH40/2005 guide for workplace exposure limits. A workplace exposure limit (aka WEL) is the legal limit of exposure to toxic particles. This framework guides the maximum exposure someone can endure within a specified timeframe before it becomes too dangerous. Regularly monitor exposure levels to ensure employees work below workplace exposure limits.
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The Health Risks Associated with Workshops
Health risks employees may face in a workshop environment vary depending on the specific work the business performs. Hazardous particulates you may face include welding fumes, dust, diesel fumes, wood dust, wood chippings, and silica dust, among others. You can be exposed to harmful materials through inhalation, skin contact, injection, or ingestion. High exposure to hazardous materials can cause health effects ranging from short-term symptoms to long-term complications. Potential health problems can include skin irritation, respiratory issues, and eye damage. Most significantly, exposure can lead to cancer, such as lung cancer and kidney cancer. Workshop dust collection can mitigate many of the health risks associated with dust exposure.
Why It's Important to Reduce Exposure
As mentioned above, workplace contaminants pose a wide range of health risks. These conditions, such as cancer, can severely impact a person's life as well as the lives of family members. Reducing exposure is essential to preventing serious illness. Clear evidence links specific substances to health effects, so companies should take reasonable measures to protect workers' health. Workshop extraction systems are vital to creating a clean, safe, and healthy environment. Extractors filter out airborne particles and prevent people from inhaling toxic materials that can cause cancer, such as welding fumes and diesel exhaust. A workshop extractor quickly removes very fine particles, which is especially advantageous in fast-paced environments and businesses that deal with fine debris. A dust extractor also helps protect machinery, helping it last longer.
Have You Heard of the HSE’s Awareness Campaigns?
Every year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) runs a series of campaigns targeting select industries and workplace practices. The campaigns aim to raise awareness of sector-specific issues and promote adequate safety measures and best practices. During these campaigns, HSE inspectors randomly visit businesses within the campaign's subject matter. Inspectors speak with managers and employees to identify the measures in place to comply with HSE guidance and laws. Ultimately, HSE campaigns aim to raise awareness of the unique risks faced by all personnel in the sector and to advise on measures to protect workers.
The Potential HSE Sanctions for Workshops
The Health and Safety Executive regulates workplace safety and ensures that employers take steps to maintain the health, safety and well-being of their employees and visitors. The HSE can take enforcement action if a business fails to comply with the law, address serious risks, or uphold its responsibilities. The regulator can take several actions to enforce workplace health and safety, including providing advice, issuing cautions, serving notices, or pursuing prosecution proceedings. Workshops face several risks to mitigate, including air pollution from welding fumes, dust, and diesel fumes. If you fail to follow regulations and implement risk-reduction measures, workers may suffer serious health complications. Sanctions for failing to maintain employee health and safety vary. Punishments often include heavy fines, community orders, disqualification orders, remedial action, and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment.
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What is the Cost of a Workshop Extraction System?
Now that you understand the importance of workshop extraction systems, consider how a solution can help your business. Because there are several variables, we can't give an exact amount you can expect to pay. Cost varies depending on the extraction products you choose, your operational processes, your workplace size, your industry, and the overall size of your extraction system, to name a few. You must receive a workshop extraction solution tailored to your requirements. Therefore, we recommend contacting our specialists for advice. After hearing about your situation, we can provide a no-obligation quote.
Contact us today to learn more about the best bespoke extraction solution for your business.
What Workshop Sizes Can We Help With?
We have experience working with workshops of all sizes. We can assist you whether you have a large facility, such as an automotive garage, or a small one, such as a school. Auto Extract Systems will provide an appropriate, cost-effective solution tailored to your needs and size, from portable extraction products to large, fixed-in-place systems.
We will advise you on how to use our products most effectively, reducing investment and optimising results. We also understand that workshop size significantly affects your team's safety. Contaminants can reach higher concentrations in small environments, but larger workplaces also pose risks. That is why we will thoroughly analyse your specifications and requirements to ensure you protect your employees and customers from hazardous airborne materials.
Contact our team to learn how our specialists can advise on a workshop dust extraction solution for your specific circumstances.
Examples of Punishments for Workshops
As we've made clear, businesses that put their employees in harm's way face significant consequences. The HSE pursues serious action against businesses that fail to implement or maintain workshop extraction systems.
One example involves a Hertfordshire furniture manufacturer that exposed its workers to hardwood dust. The HSE attended the workplace several times and found that the business failed to follow advice to raise health and safety standards. After one visit, inspectors noticed that an extraction system was inefficient and increased airborne dust levels. The furniture company pleaded guilty to breaching the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 Act. After proceedings at Luton Magistrates' Court, the company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £1,081.40 in legal costs.
Another example involves a Durham-based manufacturing company that exposed its employees to wood dust and failed to comply with enforcement action from the HSE. Inspectors visited the business after concerns were raised and served improvement notices requiring the company to arrange a thorough examination of the local exhaust ventilation system fitted to a chop saw. The business was also required to improve its control of wood dust exposure from using a circular table saw. When HSE inspectors returned several months later, they found that the circular saw was still in use and that the company had not provided evidence that the LEV system had been properly examined or was adequately controlling exposure. The HSE investigation found that the business failed to comply with the improvement notices and showed disregard for health and safety. The company was found guilty of breaching health and safety legislation, fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £4,500 in costs.
What Our Customers Say About Us
We've helped hundreds of workshops across diverse sectors install and maintain effective solutions for removing harmful contaminants from the air. But don't just take our word for it! Here's what some of our customers say about the work they've received from Auto Extract Systems.
"Our Fleet workshop based in Hull, Yorkshire have used Auto Extract Systems for all our LEV testing, certification and repairs over the last 4 years.
"We have been extremely pleased with the full service from contact to inspection from all members of their staff.
"All the staff are helpful, professional and committed to giving the best value and service, as well as the aftercare, which is second to none, with a fantastic portal service which is very useful to the client.
"I would have no hesitation recommending Auto Extract Systems to any potential company requiring their services." - Tony Kirk
The Right Workshop Extraction Solution for Your Needs
Auto Extract Systems can help you specify and design a workshop extractor that meets your business requirements. Over the last 25 years, we've helped thousands of companies create dust- and fume-free workplaces. As experts in all things LEV, we can help your business become compliant with the HSE COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002 through a tailored LEV solution. We provide comprehensive design, installation, certification and maintenance services across various sectors.
We use only the highest-quality products, and installations come with a 12-month installation warranty. Find out more about our LEV Installations service.
Visit our News section to learn more about workshop extraction and how we can help you find the right local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system for you and your business. Request a FREE LEV site assessment today by clicking the button below, calling us on 01942 267444 or emailing info@autoxtract.co.uk.
Request your FREE, no-obligation LEV site assessment today!
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See How We Have Helped Workshops Like Yours
We have a long history of supporting multiple industries with effective LEV solutions, particularly those with workshop environments. Our experience spans metalworking and welding, automotive, woodworking, and manufacturing, among others. We've worked with workshops, fire stations, ports, schools, garages, and more. Our solutions include small installations, such as direct connections and extraction arms, as well as comprehensive designs with multiple products.
To learn more about the latest workshop dust extraction installations we've been working on, check out our Case Studies section.
We Have Workshop Extraction Solutions For...
- Metal Fabricators
- Universities
- Bodyshops
- Woodworkers
- Joineries
- Colleges
- Farmers
- Welders
- Manufacturing Plants
- And many more...
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