by Natalie Edwards

DTS, Taranaki -Success Story

 

'We want to keep our employees safe, so we have mandated positive air-pressure units across our workplace now.'

 

We talk with some of the team at DTS about why they chose TECMEN Respirator Welding Helmets and the difference they’ve made to their workshop.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT DTS…

So here at DTS we manufacture all the farm holding tanks for the milk throughout New Zealand. We provide them to Fonterra, Synlait, Oceana, Open Country. In the last couple of years we’ve started branching out into other fields of the stainless steel engineering market. So pharmaceutical, chemical, wine tanks, that sort of stuff.

Brandon West, Projects Team Leader

WHAT RESPIRATORY PROTECTION WERE YOU USING BEFORE YOU TRIED THE TECMEN RESPIRATORY UNITS?

[Brandon] So prior to using the TECEMN TM1000’s we were using half-face welding respirator masks, but with the ever-evolving health and safety standards we had to go to positive air pressure for our confined space and exterior TIG welding.

Prior to us using the TECMEN respirator units we were using a combination of half and full-face masks. Some guys had their own positive air-pressure units so various brands. We have since then mandated to use positive air-pressure units across our entire workshop for all tasks, and we’ve selected the TECMEN unit as a cost effective, and effective way to protect our staff.

Mike Doyle, Engineering & Production Manager

WHAT MADE YOU START LOOKING AT USING POWERED AIR RESPIRATOR UNITS?

[Mike] What made us start looking at positive air-pressure units was the fact we’re a stainless-steel fabrication workshop, we’ve got a number of tasks, both welding and polishing that generate particulates, and particularly the hexavalent chromium fumes are known to be particularly dangerous long term. We want to keep our employees safe, so we have mandated positive air-pressure units across our workplace now.

 

[Brandon] So we get audited by WorkSafe annually. Their recommendations for confined space work and exterior welding was that we go to a positive air pressure respiratory protective equipment. We offered the guys the standard half-face with the positive air pressure going into the half-face mask. There was a lot of push back and negativity around the bulkiness and the weight of that. So we explored options of welding helmets with the battery operated positive air pressure pack. We looked at 3M and TECMEN and TECMEN came out the best bang for your buck.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BUY THE TECMEN RESPIRAOTR UNITS?

[Brandon] We decided to go with the TECMEN respirator units because of the value for money. They had everything else that all the competitors offered, but for half the price. The after sales service is great with them. If we have any issues we just phone up Euromarc and it’s resolved within a day.

 

[Mike] We looked at a wide range of options. Putting positive air-pressure units across our entire workforce is a significant investment, and the TECMEN helmets have all of the functionality that is required to keep our guys safe, and at a very cost-effective cost point.

WHAT DIFFERENCE HAS IT MADE TO YOUR STAFF IN HAVING THE PAPR UNITS?

[Mike] I think our staff, more and more these days are becoming aware of the long-term effects of particulates in the air. It gives them a level of comfort that they can go home knowing that in 60 years’ time they’re not going to have respiratory problems.

 

[Brandon] So it’s made a big difference to the staff in meeting compliance. With the TECMEN you only have to grab two pieces of equipment. You’re grabbing your helmet and the blower unit. Whereas if the guys are using the half-face with the positive air-pressure unit they have to go grab the air-hose, the unit, their half-face, their welding helmet, so it just adds up and they’re not always meeting compliance.

Working a long day with the unit, it’s helpful over summer because you’re always a couple of degrees cooler under the hood which helps with your fatigue and heat stress.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TECMEN RESPIRATOR UNITS TO OTHER ENGINEERS?

[Brandon] I’d definitely recommend the TECMEN welding helmet to other engineers. Just with the comfort of the whole unit. The true colour, the adaptability to go from welding to grinding without taking anything off.  

 

[Mike] I would absolutely recommend the TECMEN respiratory units to other engineering companies. It’s certainly served us well as far as ticking all the boxes and keeping our staff safe, and from a business point of view it’s met a good price point.

Now let’s hear what some of the engineers have to say…

WHAT DIFFERENCE HAS IT MADE TO YOUR JOB IN USING THE RESPIRATOR UNIT?

The difference I’ve had now that I’ve been using it I go home and feel like I’ve got a fresh set of lungs. So much easier.

Brock Fairweather, Production Engineer

It’s very good. All purpose – the welding, grinding, everything. It’s very good because it helps having fresh air. And then when you’re finished it’s very good because it’s safe for your lungs because it’s very good with air pressure.

Virgilio Merbebe (VJ), Welder/Fabricator

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TECMEN RESPIRATOR UNITS TO OTHER ENGINEERS?

[VJ] The TECMEN respirator unit is very good because it’s all purpose. You use it for TIG, MIG, it’s very good all-purpose welding. It’s very very nice, good quality.

 

[Brock] Oh yeah most likely. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s just welding all day, polishing all day. It’s great for everything. It’s a lot safer and all.