How Fume Extraction Improves Workplace Health and Safety

If you’ve ever worked in an industrial environment, you know that the highest priority is health and safety. And one of the most critical components of maintaining a safe environment is having fume extraction in your workplace. It might not be something that first comes to mind, but having an effective clean air system keeps harmful fumes and vapours from affecting the health of everyone in the workplace.  

In this blog, we’ll talk about why fume extraction systems are so important for staff safety and how they help protect researchers from potential health risks. 

What is Workplace Health and Safety?  

Workplace Health and Safety encompasses a range of practices and regulations designed to mitigate hazards in the work environment. Under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, employers are legally required to control workers’ exposure to hazardous substances under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.  

Why Clean Air Systems Are Essential for Every Workplace  

For many industries, such as additive manufacturing, automotive, and welding, exposure to fumes, dust, and chemicals is an inevitable part of the job. However, poor ventilation and exposure to toxic fumes can lead to long-term health issues, including respiratory conditions, fatigue, and, in some cases, long-standing or fatal diseases.  

By adopting industrial fume extraction systems, businesses can take action to reduce these hazards by implementing clean air systems, like fume extractors. These systems effectively capture harmful substances, purifying the air to ensure that workers aren’t susceptible to harmful airborne substances generated during production or operations. 

How Clean Air Systems Benefit Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare 

There are several benefits to investing in a fume extraction system. Some of the key advantages of installing an effective air filtration system for both employees and employers include: 

Why Poor Fume Extraction Puts Workers at Risk 

Whilst benefits offer a compelling argument as to why fume extraction systems improve workplace safety and productivity, it’s equally important to understand the risks associated with ignoring airborne contaminants. 

• Sickness – Chronic exposure to solvents (e.g., chloroform, acetone) or acids can lead to neurological, respiratory and dermal problems. These can result in short-term absences or long-term health conditions that can impact productivity at best and result in legal action at worst. 

• Cross-contamination – Airborne particulates can compromise sensitive analyses, cell cultures or pharmaceutical batches. 

• Regulatory breach – COSHH requires businesses to protect employees from harmful substances; failure to do so can result in fines, legal action and even business closures.  

• Fire hazards – Flammable vapours accumulate when extraction is inadequate, particularly in enclosed instrument enclosures. 

How our Clean Air Systems Promote Workplace Health  

At Purex, we are committed to providing reliable and effective, clean air systems that protect individuals across various industries from hazardous fumes in the workplace. Our clean air systems capture and filter harmful substances at the source, ensuring that employees breathe clean, uncontaminated air throughout their shift.  These filters vaunt an impressive particulate removal performance of 99.97% at 0.3 microns.  

By reducing the exposure to potentially harmful fumes, businesses can significantly lower the risk of respiratory issues and other health conditions associated with poor air quality. Not only is this beneficial for employees, but this proactive approach can lead to fewer sick days, reduced medical costs and increased output for employers.  

Protect Employee Health with Purex’s Clean Air Systems  

At Purex, we understand that different workplaces have specific requirements. That’s why our clean air systems are bespoke - they are designed to offer flexible and scalable solutions, making it easy for businesses to integrate them into their existing environments.  

With LEV tests and installation services, we ensure all systems comply with workplace health and safety regulations whilst creating healthier work environments. Explore our range of fume extraction systems or enquire today to speak to one of our experts.  

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FAQs  

Can fume extraction systems save businesses money? 

Yes. Beyond protecting staff health, fume extraction helps reduce equipment downtime, cleaning costs, and regulatory penalties. By maintaining cleaner air and extending machinery life, fume extraction systems deliver long-term operational and financial benefits.  

What makes Purex systems different? 

Purex systems are designed with intelligent control technology that automatically adjusts airflow, monitors filter status, and ensures optimal performance at all times. With over 40 years of experience in clean air solutions, Purex combines innovation, compliance, and reliability to create safer workplaces worldwide. 

Do fume extraction systems improve workplace productivity? 
Yes, fume extraction systems can improve productivity by preventing machinery damage and downtime, supporting employee health to minimise sick days, and maximising efficiency.