Explosion safety investigation

The easiest way to ensure explosion safety is to ensure that no flammable dust is present. However, if the substance is necessary and not replaceable by a substance that has less explosion risk, conditions in an explosive atmosphere must be controlled. Explosion hazard is present as soon as a mixture of air and a flammable substance (in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dust) is ignited under atmospheric conditions and expands after ignition until all flammable substance is burned. The risk of explosion can manifest itself in three forms:
•gasexplosion hazard;
•mist explosion hazard;
•dust-explosion hazard.
The employer is obliged under the Working Conditions Act to pursue a policy aimed at protecting employees against the risk of explosion. The Working Conditions Decree contains the provisions of the European directive ATEX 153. This contains the obligations regarding explosion hazards. The associated risk ’s for the employee must be recorded in writing in a so-called explosion protection document, which consists at least of:
•a further risk analysis;
•a danger zone classification;
•appropriate technical and organizational measures;
•employee information.

Activities
The following steps can be distinguished
•During a company visit, a safety expert will assess the explosion-proof situations present;
•Preparation of an explosion protection document (EVD).