--- title: How on-gun fume extraction has changed the game description: Some of the largest welding businesses in Australia are already locking in Translas demonstrations to experience this new technology. image: https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/Welding%20Fume%20Header%20Image.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/controlling-welding-fume-at-the-source-0#main-content) [![Blackwoods Expert+](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/BWMA26-0681%20Blackwoods_Expert%20Plus%20(1).jpg?width=2073&height=493&name=BWMA26-0681%20Blackwoods_Expert%20Plus%20(1).jpg "Blackwoods Expert+")](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/expert-plus) [![Blackwoods Expert+](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/BWMA26-0681%20Blackwoods_Expert%20Plus.jpg?width=2073&height=493&name=BWMA26-0681%20Blackwoods_Expert%20Plus.jpg "Blackwoods Expert+")](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/expert-plus) - [Safety](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/safety) - Industries - [Manufacturing](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/manufacturing) - [Utilities](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/utilities) - [Construction](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/construction) - [Mining](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/mining) - Content Types - [Articles](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au) - [Videos](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfA8meUWjOmhLQKsUGnLOsQ/featured) - [Catalogues](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/catalogues) - [Events](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/tradeshows) Search [Shop Now](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJKBRVYGEi1kYk6Tr%2FeYuxC38seJfDvw6eoTuOvNyFXrnfbrRzHMycjkDLjD9uDKzBW%2F0rzTTcMAy5MhxouRBWDIHdBEPgdURPs5K8yM3IgUlJVYC0wgLaNPID3rGfSIl%2BZe4I3AOl1nwRrdsN0MD7ScauvzV%2BbOLU6ejZWSYT9Ew%3D%3D&portalId=7298381) Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu [Shop Now](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJKBRVYGEi1kYk6Tr%2FeYuxC38seJfDvw6eoTuOvNyFXrnfbrRzHMycjkDLjD9uDKzBW%2F0rzTTcMAy5MhxouRBWDIHdBEPgdURPs5K8yM3IgUlJVYC0wgLaNPID3rGfSIl%2BZe4I3AOl1nwRrdsN0MD7ScauvzV%2BbOLU6ejZWSYT9Ew%3D%3D&portalId=7298381) - [Safety](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/safety) - Industries - [Manufacturing](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/manufacturing) - [Utilities](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/utilities) - [Construction](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/construction) - [Mining](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/mining) - Content Types - [Articles](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au) - [Videos](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfA8meUWjOmhLQKsUGnLOsQ/featured) - [Catalogues](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/catalogues) - [Events](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/tradeshows) 2 min read # How on-gun fume extraction has changed the game [![Picture of AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/1519871717954.jpg) AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/author/aws) : 8 May 2024 How on-gun fume extraction has changed the game 3:09   When it comes to welding fume exposure, welders are not the only workers at risk. In fact, a welding fume particle that is 0.5 μm in size can take 2 days to reach the floor when released from a height of 1.5 metres. This demonstrates just how long these particles can remain suspended in the air. It’s vital to consider this when other workers are sharing an environment with welders, as the air could contain respiratory hazards long after welding has been completed. A recent survey showed only 10% of Australian and New Zealand workplaces use engineering controls to remove welding fume from the environment, while 80% of workers around welders do not wear ANY form of respiratory protection. It is an employer’s responsibility to reduce welding fume exposure to as low as reasonably practicable for all persons. The most effective means to reach this outcome is to collect the fumes at their source and remove them from the environment altogether. To that end, there are two primary methods of achieving this: Hooded Capture Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and [On-Gun Fume Extraction.](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/searchpage#q=%20AWS%20FPS250S%20On%20Gun%20Fume%20Extraction%20Kit%20) While both solutions are proven to be highly effective in controlling welding fume, On-Gun Fume extraction was found to be more efficient according to peer reviewed research, with a[Translas fume gun](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/searchpage#q=%20AWS%20FPS250S%20On%20Gun%20Fume%20Extraction%20Kit%20) extracting up to 97% of welding fume with an average of 90% across a range of different test scenarios. Moreover, the collected results of this independent scientific study saw the Translas on-gun fume extractor remove 33% more welding fume from the environment than its Hooded Capture LEV counterpart.\*\*   ### **How have Translas extraction guns changed the game?** In the past, the consensus with on-gun technology was that the guns were too heavy, cumbersome, and prone to interfere with the shielding gas – creating porosity issues. But not anymore. [Translas](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/searchpage#q=%20AWS%20FPS250S%20On%20Gun%20Fume%20Extraction%20Kit%20)has turned this perception on its head with lightweight, maneuverable, and ergonomic extraction guns that deliver extremely high welding fume capture rates while leaving the shielding gas completely unaffected – boasting a 100% duty cycle. No other welding fume control solution extracts fume at the source, removes it from the environment, and follows the welder as they move. This is especially valuable given 78% of welders require mobility when welding.\*\* As a result, [Translas on-gun fume extraction](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/searchpage#q=%20AWS%20FPS250S%20On%20Gun%20Fume%20Extraction%20Kit%20) has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most effective methods of controlling welding fume on the market today. \* 2020 Welding Fume and Respiratory Protection Survey, AWS \*\* 2023 Peter Knott, Georgia Csorba, Dustin Bennett, Ryan Kift. Welding fume; a comparison study of industry used control methods. Safety Journal. ### **Are you interested in Translas for your business?** Some of the largest welding businesses in Australia are already locking in Translas demonstrations to experience this new technology. If your company would be interested in trying out this industry game-changer, [contact your local Blackwoods Welding Specialist today!](https://info.blackwoods.com.au/welding-specialists) [![04084373-1](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/04084373-1.jpg)](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-apex-welding-safety-nederman-860-translas-fps250s-welding-fume-fps180-portable-extraction-system-with-250-amp-on-gun-kit/p/04084356) [**[AWS Nederman 860 / Translas ](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-apex-welding-safety-nederman-860-translas-fps250s-welding-fume-fps180-portable-extraction-system-with-250-amp-on-gun-kit/p/04084356)**](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-apex-welding-safety-nederman-860-translas-fps250s-welding-fume-fps180-portable-extraction-system-with-250-amp-on-gun-kit/p/04084356) [![04681107](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/04681107.avif)](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-nederman-gomax-fpsgm250d-translas-twin-250a-on-gun-extraction-kit-dual-persons-4m-torches/p/04681107) [**[AWS Nederman GoMax Translas Twin](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-nederman-gomax-fpsgm250d-translas-twin-250a-on-gun-extraction-kit-dual-persons-4m-torches/p/04681107)**](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/welding-gas/fume-extraction/fume-extraction-carts/aws-nederman-gomax-fpsgm250d-translas-twin-250a-on-gun-extraction-kit-dual-persons-4m-torches/p/04681107)   [SHOP AWS](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/3m-speedglas/b/13704815/brand) [![aws](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/aws.jpg?width=147&height=147&name=aws.jpg)](https://www.blackwoods.com.au/3m-speedglas/b/13704815/brand)   [Fabrication](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/fabrication) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## **Read related articles** [![Nederman GoMax captures welding fume at the source](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/EOFY%20AWS%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/nederman-gomax-captures-welding-fume-at-the-source) #### [Nederman GoMax captures welding fume at the source](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/nederman-gomax-captures-welding-fume-at-the-source) ![Picture of AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/1519871717954.jpg?width=30&name=1519871717954.jpg) [AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/author/aws) : 6 May 2026 Engineering controls, such as fume extraction systems, can be instrumental in reducing welding fume exposure for not only the welder, but also for... [Construction](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/construction) [Fabrication](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/fabrication) [Read More](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/nederman-gomax-captures-welding-fume-at-the-source) [![Smarter welding safety in manufacturing: How integrated controls improve efficiency and compliance](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/Industry%20Insider%20AWS%20Header.png)](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/smarter-welding-safety-in-manufacturing-how-integrated-controls-improve-efficiency-and-compliance) #### [Smarter welding safety in manufacturing: How integrated controls improve efficiency and compliance](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/smarter-welding-safety-in-manufacturing-how-integrated-controls-improve-efficiency-and-compliance) ![Picture of AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/1519871717954.jpg?width=30&name=1519871717954.jpg) [AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/author/aws) : 28 January 2026 Manufacturing is one of Australia’s most welding-intensive sectors, accounting for over 20% of national demand for steel fabricated products (Weld... [Manufacturing](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/tag/manufacturing) [Read More](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/smarter-welding-safety-in-manufacturing-how-integrated-controls-improve-efficiency-and-compliance) [![Measure welding fume in your workshop](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hubfs/AWS%20Safety%20Spotlight%20(1).png)](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/measure-welding-fume-in-your-workshop) #### [Measure welding fume in your workshop](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/measure-welding-fume-in-your-workshop) ![Picture of AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/1519871717954.jpg?width=30&name=1519871717954.jpg) [AWS](https://blog.blackwoods.com.au/author/aws) : 22 October 2025 With the recent change to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fume, many workshops are wanting to understand the effectiveness of their... 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