Understanding Your Ethical and Legal Duties for Welding Fume Extraction
The health risks associated with welding fume exposure are no longer up for debate. With links to cancer, respiratory illness, and neurological damage, it is both an ethical responsibility and a legal requirement for employers to manage and extract welding fumes effectively. For businesses operating in the UK, this obligation is underpinned by legislation such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. These rules require employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health—making local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems like fume extractors an essential investment.
HSE Enforcement and Legal Compliance
In 2019, the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) updated its guidance to reflect new scientific evidence on welding fumes. It now enforces stricter compliance and has removed the distinction between mild and stainless steel fumes. Regardless of the material being welded, all indoor welding activities require suitable engineering controls—typically through LEV or fume extraction systems. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties, improvement notices, or even business shutdowns.
Ethics Beyond Compliance: The Employer’s Duty of Care
While legal compliance is mandatory, ethical responsibility goes even further. Employers have a duty of care to create a safe working environment for their staff. This includes proactively investing in solutions like fume extraction arms, mobile units, or downdraft tables tailored to welding tasks. Providing training, clear safety procedures, and proper maintenance ensures that health is not compromised for the sake of productivity. A safe worker is a more confident and loyal worker—something that benefits everyone involved.
LEV Supplies: Helping You Stay Compliant and Responsible
At LEV Supplies, we take workplace safety seriously. We supply a wide range of certified welding fume extraction systems and offer advice tailored to your application. Whether you need to equip a small workshop or a large fabrication facility, our team can ensure your setup meets HSE standards and protects your workforce. Ethical safety isn’t just a legal tick box—it’s a business value. Let us help you build a cleaner, safer future.
