What’s ATEX?

ATEX is the identify generally given to 2 totally different European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres. These set out the minimal necessities for enhancing the well being and security safety of staff, probably in danger from explosive atmospheres.

The primary of those is: (1) Directive 99/92/EC (often known as ATEX 137, or the ATEX Office Directive)

and

(2) Directive 94/9/EC (often known as ATEX 95 or the ATEX Gear Directive).

Who does it apply to?

The ATEX Laws apply to most workplaces the place flammable substances are saved or used. As an example, factories the place flammable liquids are current, or the place flammable dusts or particles are produced within the technique of manufacturing, will apply.

Particular functions embody: chemical processing, spraying paints or varnishes, LPF storage and filling, milk drying, flour manufacturing and so forth.

An explosive environment is an accumulation of fuel, mist, mud or vapour, combined with air that has the potential to lead to an explosion. If this catches fireplace, the flames would rapidly journey by means of it. If this occurs in a confined house, resembling in a plant or weighing parallel manipulator /QC gear space, the speedy pace of the flames, or rise in strain, might trigger an explosion of significant/life-threatening proportions.

Flammable substances

Flammable substances are categorised as being any substance or preparation/course of, which, due to its properties or the best way it’s used, could be probably dangerous to folks, given the specter of explosions or fireplace.

Typical examples of flammable substances embody: varnishes, solvents and dirt. When mud mixes with air it turns into probably explosive. These merchandise could end result from milling and sanding operations and so on.

So, as you’ll be able to admire, flammable, probably explosive and/or unstable substances could be present in portions, in most industrial workplaces.

Understanding your duties beneath the Directive

Typically talking, the Laws make clear the necessities to handle fireplace, explosion dangers, and impose duties on employers (and that pertains to employers and the self employed), that are described right here:

 

1. Perform common threat assessments of any work actions involving flammable substances.
2. Document the findings of those threat assessments in a doc/register known as the Explosion Safety Doc.
3. Present technical or organisational measures, to cut back the chance of explosions (as set out in Schedule 2 of the Laws).
4. Present coaching to staff who work in locations the place explosive atmospheres could happen.
5. Classify locations (in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Laws), the place explosive atmospheres could happen into zones, and mark the zones the place mandatory.
6. Choose and supply appropriate gear to be used in these zones.
7. Gear should be CE-Marked and in compliance with S.1.83 of 1999 (the ATEX PRODUCT Laws).

Correct, secure weighing in hazardous areas

 

Whereas ATEX applies to a broad vary of various mechanical, electrical and basic gear sorts utilized in probably hazardous zones and environments, it particularly applies to industrial weighing gear.

The necessity for correct, precision measuring throughout many alternative industries is self-evident. Any lack of functionality or product high quality, will quickly influence. It is extraordinarily essential, nevertheless, to make sure that gear can also be match for function and use within the surroundings that you simply work. When buying new industrial weighing gear, subsequently, it’s best to look out for the ATEX-Licensed image.

Any Licensed ATEX Weighing gear must be labelled with a particular hexagonal label, instantly adopted by the gear group and class.

It’ll additionally carry a spread of different knowledge, which incorporates: the identify and addresses of the producer/s, CE Marking, sort, mannequin and/or serial reference, 12 months of manufacture and any further markings deemed acceptable for its secure use.

Set up and servicing by certified engineers

Set up and/or servicing of weighing equipment or programs in designated hazardous areas, should be carried out by suitably certified personnel which can be conversant in the manufacturing processes, testing regimes and business necessities. This can be certain that your ATEX weighing answer absolutely complies with the most recent well being and security necessities.