ATEX Ireland
ATEX has been implemented in Ireland by the Fire & Explosion ATEX Regulations.
We have included some information from the Health and Safety Authority (Ireland) web site below. However, the following information is only a part of the guidance provided, and a visit to this site here, is essential.
The Fire & Explosion ATEX Regulations clarify the existing requirements to manage fire and explosion risks, which are set out in the 1989 Act and 1993 General Application Regulation and impose some specific requirements, which are described below.
Employers and the self-employed must:
- Carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving flammable substances.
- Record the findings of the risk assessment in a document called the explosion protection document.
Mitigation Measures
In many cases, it is not possible (such as at a landfill) to avoid explosive atmospheres and sources of ignition with a sufficient degree of certainty. Measures can (must) then be taken to limit the effects of an explosion.
Such mitigation measures are:
- Preventing fires and explosion from spreading to other plant and equipment or to other parts of the workplace.
- Reducing the number of employees exposed to a minimum.
- Providing plant and equipment that can safely contain or suppress an explosion, or vent it to a safe place.
(Please note that although most talk about the requirements for ATEX compliance with reference to plant and equipment rating, this is only the final part of a much larger and important requirement, and items 1 and 2 above are preferable, where possible, with 3. as a final resort.)
What additional requirements apply in places where explosive atmospheres may occur?
In workplaces where explosive atmosphere may occur you should ensure that:
- Places where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur are classified into zones based on their likelihood and persistence.
- Places classified into zones are protected from ignition sources by selecting equipment and protective systems which meet the requirements of the ATEX Product Regulations, although, equipment already in use before July 2003, can continue to be used indefinitely provided the risk assessment shows it is safe to do so.
- Where necessary, places classified into zones are marked with a specified "EX" sign at their points of entry. (Not necessarily easily implemented for landfills where public access may also be permitted.)
- Where employees work in zoned areas they are provided with appropriate work clothing (PPE) that does not create an electrostatic risk.
- Before the workplace is used for the first time, its safety must be confirmed (verified) by a person or organisation who is competent in the field of explosion protection. The person carrying out the verification must be competent to consider the particular risks at the workplace and adequacy of the safety measures in place.
What must the employer provide for their employees?
The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 1993 and Amendment Regulations require that employees are provided with all the necessary information, instruction and training on the risks present at the workplace and the preventive and protection measures required. These regulations require in addition:
Training for workers on precautions and actions needed to safeguard themselves and others from explosions where required by the explosion protection document-
- Written instructions for specific work activities
- System of permits to work
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