Smarter welding safety in manufacturing: How integrated controls improve efficiency and compliance

Manufacturing is one of Australia’s most welding-intensive sectors, accounting for over 20% of national demand for steel fabricated products (Weld Australia). Welding is essential to production—but it brings a challenge that impacts safety, compliance, and efficiency: carcinogenic welding fumes.

Why welding fume control matters?

Welding fumes aren’t just a health hazard—they’re an operational risk. Exposure can lead to serious illnesses and regulatory non-compliance, which can disrupt workflows and increase costs. For manufacturers focused on process improvement and cost efficiency, the question is clear: how do you protect workers without slowing production or inflating budgets?

The integrated approach.

The most effective strategy combines personal protective equipment (PPE) with engineering controls. This dual approach not only meets compliance requirements but also supports productivity and reduces long-term costs.

Blackwoods, in partnership with Apex Welding Safety (AWS), offers tailored solutions for manufacturing environments—helping businesses achieve safer, more efficient operations.

Personal Protection: Keeping Welders Safe

For welders, respiratory protection is non-negotiable. 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Helmets with Adflo™ Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) deliver a constant flow of clean air into the breathing zone, shielding against particles, gases, and vapours. Paired with flip-up helmets like the Speedglas G5-01, welders enjoy uninterrupted protection without sacrificing visibility or mobility—critical for maintaining throughput.

Engineering controls: Protecting the whole team.

Manufacturing plants rarely have just one welder. Protecting adjacent workers requires engineering solutions that fit dynamic environments:

• Portable Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV): LEV systems, such as those from Plymovent, capture fumes at the source and remove them from the environment. Portable units offer flexibility for changing layouts and welding positions, reducing the need for costly fixed installations.
• On-Gun Fume Extraction: For welders who move constantly, Translas On-Gun Extraction Systems are a game-changer. Capturing up to 98% of fumes at the source, these ergonomic guns maintain weld quality and shielding gas integrity—without slowing production.

Efficiency meets compliance.

With over 10% of Australia’s workforce tied to manufacturing, integrated fume control isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about reducing risk, avoiding downtime, and improving productivity. By combining PPE and engineering controls, manufacturers can achieve safer workplaces while supporting lean processes and cost efficiency.

Available at Blackwoods - Your manufacturing solutions partner.

Blackwoods and AWS are committed to helping manufacturers implement effective welding fume control strategies. For expert advice and tailored solutions, contact a Blackwoods Technical Welding Specialist today. Stay prepared, because productivity should never be left to chance.

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