James Stansfield, CEO of Filtermist Systems, explains why there has never been a more important time for the aerospace sector to invest in creating clean factories.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 28.2 million working days were lost in the UK last year due to work-related ill-health - a frightening statistic and one that is costing industry millions, if not billions of pounds, in lost productivity.

The really frustrating element of this statistic is that some of the contributing factors could be easily eliminated if firms explored cost-effective ways to deliver a clean workshop or production facility for their staff.

Whilst the aerospace sector is often viewed as being at the forefront of modern technology and innovation, there are still lots of examples where companies across all tiers of the supply chain are not doing enough to meet expectations and, indeed, regulations.

“One of the Health and Safety Executive’s main focuses in 2020 is reducing exposure to metalworking fluids and welding fume,” begins global industrial air cleaning specialist, Filtermist Systems’ CEO, James Stansfield. “Mild steel weld fume was reclassified as carcinogenic last year, prompting a change in enforcement expectations.

“Inspections for fabrication facilities are being ramped up considerably and failure to comply with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations could carry a significant financial penalty. More importantly, the welfare of staff is continuing to suffer if firms fail to act.”

Findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer proved that mild steel welding fume causes lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer, with the HSE estimating that breathing metal fume at work directly leads to 40-50 welders being hospitalised every year.

With immediate effect, the HSE will no longer accept any welding being undertaken without suitable exposure control measures in place as there is no known level of safe exposure.

“One immediate solution for aerospace suppliers could be Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) equipment,” states Stansfield, who has been involved in this sector for more than 25 years. “This is basically engineering controls that capture, contain and treat contaminated air at source before it has an opportunity to escape into the wider working environment. Manufacturers can choose from standalone systems that are fitted to each machine or they can invest in a more centralised extraction system.

“Both have their own merits, depending on the nature of the business. For example, some aerospace manufacturers prefer standalone systems as this approach allows the flexibility for their workshops to be reconfigured for different projects if required.

“Importantly, companies need to ensure that they regularly monitor the performance of their extraction equipment - this includes LEV Testing by a competent person at least once every 14 months.”

Single source solution

With aerospace suppliers continually battling delivery, cost and product safety pressures, it can be quite easy to find themselves frustrated with the myriad of regulatory requirements.

Filtermist Systems, which celebrated 50 years in business in 2019, is now offering companies in the sector the opportunity to enjoy a free ‘clean air’ audit that will review all existing machinery and then provide recommendations based on individual requirements.

“Recent acquisitions and over £1.5 million of investment have ensured we can offer a single source solution for customers looking for cleaner, safer and more productive work environments that are compliant with HSE regulations.

“Our product and service offering now spans dust and fume extraction, oil mist removal, VOC abatement, paint finishing solutions and the latest industrial vacuum cleaning products used in a range of applications including removing excess coolant and swarf from CNC machines.

“Furthermore, extensive ‘turnkey’ experience means we can provide initial guidance, solution design, manufacture, installation and then aftersales services to deliver optimum results for customers.”

Historically, Filtermist is known for manufacturing a range of compact centrifugal oil mist filters, but as the UK distributor for sister companies Absolent and Bristol T&G International, it also offers static filter media filtration systems and electrostatic filters.

2019 was a busy year for the business with three acquisitions, including DCS Group, Kerstar and the assets of Carter Environmental Engineers’ air services division, preceding significant investment in a new 30,000ft² unit, located just a few minutes’ walk away from its Headquarters on the T54 Business Park in Telford.

The central facility now acts as home to the firm’s logistics operation and is designed to enhance stock control and delivery lead-times even further, as well as freeing up additional capacity to increase its metal fabrication footprint.

“HSE changes to mild weld fume, coupled with the continuing importance of addressing exposure to metalworking fluids, means demand for our services and products are at an all-time high, hence our expansion in capacity and our product range.”

“Creating a ‘clear air’ workshop and production facility has so many more benefits than just meeting legislation,” Stansfield concludes. “It has been proven to improve morale and increase productivity, whilst also reducing staff sickness - you can’t really put too big a price on that.”

www.filtermist.co.uk