learn > What Is An Explosive Atmosphere?

What Is An Explosive Atmosphere?

You may be thinking, what is an explosive atmosphere? Simply stated, it’s an atmosphere with an increase in flammability due to particles in the air. These particles can be anything from flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust.

These workplaces are everywhere, refineries, construction sites, and transportation maintenance. The number of employees in these concentrated workplaces poses a great threat to the amount of damage that can arise if not properly regulated.

The liability lies with the employers and it is of great importance that they identify these explosive atmospheres and the contaminates that occur in the given work area. The employer should understand all the possible threats, and they should be fully informed on what is detrimental to the management of the atmosphere, and the protection of sources of ignition.

Refinery Plant

Workplaces should be safe for everyone, but in a world constantly innovating it becomes increasingly harder to regulate safety. There are organizations fully dedicated to oversight how employers produce their products and the environment in which the employees are subjected to. Explosive atmospheres are one of many types of examples of hazardous work environments.

EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

All equipment and processes used in the zone of the increased explosive atmosphere must meet requirements that are set by the respect governing authorities. Before an area is fully operational the employer must ensure safety measures are verified. There are many third-party organizations that have increased knowledge in this field, and having a second pair of eyes always helps with liabilities. 

These competent third-party companies help consider all risks in the workplace and help employers safely put standards into place to monitor the safety of workers. Initial and periodic inspections are a must to ensure safe operations in explosive atmospheres. 

Equipment and unit certification is vital in the care of employees, and explosive atmospheres need to be taken seriously, lives are on the line. We could learn from tragedies in the past that cost people’s lives and businesses millions in damage and the importance of preventative implementations. Don’t allow your business to be an example of negligence, but rather a place where employees feel safe.

ATEX Directives

According to the ATEX directives, all potentially explosive atmospheres are required to have area classifications called zones. This is the first step to ensure that equipment and products are correctly selected and safe for their intended uses. The Worker Protection Directive 1999/EC and the international standards IEC 60079-10-x, EN 60079- 10-x define these zones.

Safety in Explosive Atmospheres

Everybody involved in the daily operations of an explosive atmosphere or hazardous area should be properly trained for the use and maintenance of equipment in the workplace. It is crucial that awareness of the risk in daily activities is noted, as negligence could result in catastrophic accidents. 

ABOUT EUTEX INTERNATIONAL

EUTEX International is the leading electrical supplier of hazardous area products and services around the globe!

EUTEX is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company that provides hazardous area electrical products including cables, glands, and accessories. The company holds IECEx service facility status which allows our staff to provide hazardous area inspection and maintenance services along with staff training and assembly certification to ensure safe operations in potentially explosive environments.

Working in potentially explosive areas involves multiple risks, so minimizing those risks for the staff and assets is our highest priority.

We have been serving the energy industry since 1998 consistently working towards a safer work environment. EUTEX has built an extensive global footprint by supporting customers who really care about safety by making sure the products and services are a good fit for their purpose and compliant with international and local standards.

To date, EUTEX has registered offices and training centers in Australia, Canada, India, Myanmar, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates to better serve our global clientele.