Dust Collection for Steel Fabrication

Fabricators working with structural steel face a number of challenges when it comes to indoor air quality.

• Structural steel fabrication often depends on a lot of manual welding. Welding structural steel produces toxic weld fumes that put employee health at risk. In particular, alloys used for structural steel, as well as welding consumables, are usually high in manganese, putting workers at risk for manganism or other nervous system disorders. Depending on the exact composition of the structural steel alloy, workers may also be exposed to hexavalent chromium, nickel, beryllium or other toxic substances. Exposure to these elements is linked to metal fume fever, lung cancer, kidney disease and other health problems.
• Cutting and grinding structural steel produces high volumes of dust—especially laser and plasma cutting, commonly used to cut large steel I-beams and girders down to size. These particulates are irritating the lungs, toxic when inhaled or ingested, and potentially damaging to other equipment and processes. They can also be very challenging to contain and control.
• Metal dusts created by laser cutting, drilling or grinding of structural steel are combustible. If they are allowed to accumulate in an enclosed area, they create a serious risk of explosion.
• Structural steel components that will be exposed to the elements are often treated with corrosion-resistant paints or other treatments to improve their longevity. However, the materials and coatings used to increase corrosion resistance often contain highly toxic elements such as cadmium, which makes working with the dust or fumes even more dangerous.
• Structural steel beams and the products made from them are usually very large and heavy. Most structural steel fabricating cannot be contained under a hood. Fabricators may also need to use overhead cranes to move beams and final products around. These factors make source capture, which is usually the most economical and effective method of air quality control, challenging.

RoboVent knows how to control weld fumes and dust for fabricators working with structural steel. From pre-fab housing to playground equipment, we can help you analyze your processes, identify your challenges, and design an air quality solution that is tailored to your needs.

We have been an industry leader in clean air since 1989, and we are continually innovating to make our equipment safer, more effective, and more energy efficient. And RoboVent guarantees satisfaction. Our manufacturing standards are the highest in the industry, and our warranty is the best in the business.