Trevor Herbert February 24, 2025

Do You Need a Fume and Dust Extraction System for Soldering?

Ensuring a safe and compliant workplace is essential for UK businesses involved in soldering and electronics manufacturing. Soldering fumes, particularly from flux vapours, pose serious health risks and are subject to strict UK safety regulations, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

If your operations involve PCB assembly, SMT rework, or precision soldering, an effective fume extraction system is critical for worker safety, compliance, and productivity.

Why Are Soldering Fumes Hazardous?

Soldering generates airborne contaminants, including fine metal particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hazardous gases. Exposure to these substances can cause:

✔ Respiratory Issues – Prolonged inhalation of rosin (colophony) fumes can lead to occupational asthma and lung irritation.
✔ Eye and Skin Irritation – Flux vapours contain formaldehyde and isopropanol, which can cause irritation.
✔ Long-Term Health Risks – Repeated exposure increases the risk of chronic lung conditions and allergic reactions.

UK businesses are legally required to control exposure to these harmful fumes using Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems.

UK Regulations for Soldering Fume Extraction

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mandates strict workplace exposure limits (WELs) for hazardous fumes. Key legal requirements include:

🔹 COSHH Regulations – Employers must assess and control exposure to soldering fumes and hazardous airborne substances.
🔹 HSE Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) – Defines safe exposure levels for contaminants such as lead, rosin-based fumes, and VOCs.
🔹 LEV Testing & Maintenance – COSHH Regulation 9 requires fume extraction systems to be tested at least every 14 months to ensure efficiency.

💡 Non-compliance can lead to penalties, legal action, and health risks for workers.

Best Practices for Soldering Fume Control

✅ 1. Choose Safer Soldering Materials

Where possible, use lead-free solder and low-VOC flux to reduce hazardous emissions.

✅ 2. Install an Effective Fume Extraction System

A high-quality LEV system captures and filters fumes at the source, preventing harmful exposure.

✅ 3. Maintain and Test Extraction Equipment

Regular servicing ensures your system meets COSHH and HSE compliance.

Recommended Soldering Fume Extraction Systems

To ensure compliance and a safe working environment, we recommend the following HSE-compliant fume extraction solutions:

🔥 BOFA V250 & V200 – Best for Small Workstations

✔ Ideal for electronics assembly, PCB repair, and R&D labs
✔ HEPA & activated carbon filtration for superior fume removal
✔ Low-noise operation, perfect for benchtop use

💨 BOFA T1 & T15 – For Direct Tip Extraction

✔ Captures fumes directly from the soldering iron tip
✔ Suitable for precision soldering & microelectronics
✔ Compact and portable for easy integration

🔧 Donaldson BOFA AD350 – For Industrial-Scale Soldering

✔ Designed for high-volume electronics manufacturing
✔ Multi-stage filtration with real-time airflow monitoring
✔ Extended filter life, reducing maintenance costs

The Business Benefits of Fume Extraction

💡 Investing in a fume extraction system not only ensures compliance with UK regulations but also enhances workplace safety and productivity.

✔ Reduces Health Risks – Protects employees from exposure to hazardous fumes.
✔ Ensures Legal Compliance – Avoids penalties and meets HSE and COSHH standards.
✔ Extends Equipment Life – Prevents flux residue buildup, reducing maintenance costs.
✔ Boosts Productivity – A cleaner environment improves efficiency and worker performance.