Douglas Dynamics: Hazardous Welding Fumes Removal
Hastings Air Energy Control works with Douglas Dynamics, North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment. The company has an award-winning culture and is recognized as a Top Workplace in the region. Safety of their employees is a primary goal.
The Challenge
The welding process used on stainless steel produces hazardous welding fumes. The hazardous weld fume Cr(VI) is known to cause cancer and target the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes. OSHA standards require minimizing “hot work” time to reduce exposure. This welding process is a necessary part of the manufacturing process for Douglas Dynamics, but the safety of their employees was of utmost concern to them.
Recognizing an opportunity to improve their operations and as a trusted partner, Hastings Air Energy Control and Douglas Dynamics worked together to implement a solution that would promote a safer and healthier environment for their employees without sacrificing performance.
The Solution
The initial solution provided was FumeVac’s FV-500-20 high vacuum extractor. With a compact layout and minimized footprint, the unit is powerful enough to handle weld fume extraction from multiple workstations simultaneously. It comes standard with two primary filters and a single secondary HEPA filter. Automatic pulse-jet filter cleaning with adjustable settings is standard. The unit also comes complete with two differential pressure manometers to gauge filter status, a static pressure gauge, an hour meter, remote start function, and adjustable timed shut-down.
The company had considered other fume extraction options but quickly settled on the FumeVac solution. Over the last year, the system has expanded to over 20 weld stations utilizing dual wire feeders for both stainless and mild steel welding flexibility.
Operators are happy with the performance of the system and love working in a cleaner healthier environment. SHOP OPERATOR
The Results
Their operators are happy with the performance of the system and love working in a cleaner, healthier environment. Another key benefit is service and support. Weld fume extraction systems, while not overly complex, are an integral part of the welding process.
Reliability is critical. Support issues are handled quickly and while the exceptional performance of the system is what won the job, quick and effective service ensured success. As the company’s production requirements continue to grow, further expansion of the FumeVac central extraction system is underway.
Fumevac for Douglas Dynamics is here to help you with hazardous welding fumes removal, to learn more today contact us!
