The Dutch Labour Inspectorate has started strict inspections on welding fumes
The Dutch Labour Inspectorate has started strict inspections on welding fumes
Welding and cutting fume removal18 Jun 2025Working safelyHealth risks
How Plymovent supports companies with clean air and compliance
Welding fume inspection in metalworking facility
The Dutch Labour Inspectorate has started targeted inspections in the metalworking sector, focusing on welding fume exposure. Companies in this industry now need to pay close attention to how they protect their workers and comply with health and safety regulations. For over 50 years, Plymovent has been supporting organisations with practical solutions and expert advice to ensure clean air at work.
Why are these inspections happening?
Welding fumes contain hazardous substances like manganese, nickel, and chromium. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health issues – from shortness of breath to chronic lung diseases and even cancer. That’s why it’s a legal requirement to take steps to minimise exposure wherever possible.
Not just relevant in the Netherlands
While these inspections are currently taking place in the Netherlands, similar health and safety regulations apply in countries like the UK and Australia. Local authorities – such as the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Australian state-based WHS regulators – may also carry out inspections focused on welding fume exposure. If your company is based in one of these countries, it’s worth considering whether your current measures still meet local requirements – and we’re here to support you.
What does this mean for your company?
Welding without source extraction
In the Netherlands, inspectors are checking whether companies:
Have adequate welding fume extraction, ventilation, and respiratory protection
Have included welding fume risks in their workplace risk assessments and taken appropriate action.
Offer occupational health services for employees working with welding fumes
Are in compliance with national health and safety legislation
If these conditions aren’t met, companies may face warnings, fines or even temporary shutdowns.
The value of source extraction
Source extraction is one of the most effective ways to remove welding fumes directly at the source, before they spread through the workspace. Plymovent’s extraction systems are designed to safely and efficiently remove harmful fumes and particles – helping you protect your staff and stay compliant.
Plymovent extraction with arms and general filtration
Plymovent: your clean air and compliance partner
With five decades of experience, we offer a complete range of solutions for every type of workplace:
Mobile and stationary extraction units – ideal for both small and large workspaces
Central extraction systems – designed for full production environments
Smart monitoring tools – to track air quality and system performance in real time
Personalised advice and support – from initial assessment to installation and maintenance
We’ll help you find the right approach for your specific situation. Our aim: a safe, healthy, and future-proof workplace.
Need advice? Plymovent is happy to help
These inspections are a good reminder to take a fresh look at your welding fume control strategy. If you have questions about source extraction, ventilation or air monitoring, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll walk you through the possibilities so your team can work safely – and you can move forward with peace of mind.
At-source extraction protects workers in the metal industry and prevents the accumulation of welding fumes, oil mist or grinding dust in the workspace. The use of flexible extraction arms is a good method of removing dangerous fumes and dust when working on small or medium sized objects. These arms can be positioned close to the work area to capture toxic fumes, dust particles and remains of molten metal at the source. Capturing fumes and dust at the source also prevents pollution from spreading over the premises, keeping not only machines and tools but also products and offices cleaner.
In previous blogs we have written about protection methods for welders, like extraction arms or hoods for local exhaust ventilation and welding helmets with PAPR units. When you provide your workers with protection equipment, you may think that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure their safety. But how can you be certain that the equipment is working as it should and your workers are not exposed to dangerous levels of carcinogenic fumes?
When metals are heated above their melting point, they vaporize and condense into welding fumes. Most people know that these welding fumes are unhealthy and dangerous. Although not everybody in the metal industry – and in other lines of work where welding is done – is fully aware of the dangers, most of them are familiar with local exhaust ventilation and personal protection equipment to minimize the health risks that are involved with welding.
