Adherence to health and safety regulations, as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, is strictly enforced by the South African Department of Employment and Labour. Compliance with these regulations is particularly important in environments that are potentially hazardous to workers’ health.

Welding and grinding are common causes of workplace accidents and a risk to health and safety, both within the immediate environment as well as in the broader workspace. Noxious fumes are hazardous to workers’ health, while weld splatter can damage eyesight. Protecting workers from these risks can be difficult, as cost and space constraints may not allow for a solid wall barrier to be erected.

Makeshift protective structures such as wooden or metallic partitions and canvas sheeting hung from ceilings and crossbeams do not provide adequate worker protection and do not comply with the OHS Act.  

Specifically-designed welding and safety screens offer a practical and safe alternative, protecting workers from weld splatter and fumes, as well as  harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Apex Welding and Safety Screens are manufactured from a specially-formulated polyvinyl chloride material and have been tested by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). The screens are available in various configurations, including units with a freestanding frame, which offer easier handling and portability.

In addition, the screens feature the company’s patented Balledge design, which is a reinforced edge on individual strips, facilitating access of personnel and equipment through the strip curtains.

The feet of the screens are angled to optimise the use of floor space and can be positioned together at a 900 angle. This allows screens to be arranged in various configurations, according to the specific requirements of the workspace. In addition, the screens are resistant to burning, which could be caused by weld splatter.

Tested by the SABS for UV transmittance, the screens were shown to allow 15.5% light transmittance, as compared to 78% transmittance by conventional materials. This offers potential protection to workers’ eyesight and skin, especially from long term exposure to UV radiation.

The company cautions that the welding screens are not intended as a substitute for appropriate eye protection and also do not allow for the direct viewing of welding arcs at close range.