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Tel.: +49 (0)511 94 02 507   Mail: info@germersdorf-beratung.de

Explosion protections for operators / workers

For Europe the Directive 1999/92/EC (also known as ATEX 118a and later ATEX 137) includes minimum requirements for improving the health and safety of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

The transposition of this guideline into national law was carried out in national rules / directives.

ATEX / IECEx System standards for equipment used in potentially hazardous environments include the following:

  • IEC 60079-10-1: Gas Zone Classification
  • IEC 60079-10-2: Dust Zone Classification
  • IEC 60079-14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection
  • IEC 60079-17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance
  • IEC 60079-19: Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation

These standards specify that the equipment shall be installed, designed, specified, operated and maintained by Ex-competent personnel. While this Ex competency requirement may not always be legally mandatory, it does provide reassurance that the person installing or otherwise working with the equipment has demonstrated their ability to work in a potentially hazardous environment.

Important items
  • Hazardous analysis
  • Explosion protection document (EPD)
  • Integrated explosion protection concept (measures)
  • Evaluate / determine safety characteristics
  • Zone definition (EN 60079-10-1/2)
  • Ignition Sources (EN 1127-1)
  • Test plans & maintenance concepts
  • Implement test intervals in practice
  • Functional safety
  • Electrostatical discharge
  • Intrinsically safe systems acc. IEC/EN 60079-25

Topics around Ex installations

Legal system for Ex Installations and competence

ATEX:
The 1999/92/EC Directive aims to improve the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.
The directive describe minimum requirements and every EU member country (like Germany, France, e.g.) added some additional national requirements.
Technical rules (like in Germany: TRBS, TRGS) are the first step to comply with national laws. Standards (EN 60079-ff, e.g.) can be used after applying the national rules.
“Competent Person” are described in national technical rules (like TRBS 1203 in Germany).

IECEx:
This international system is based on trust. IECEx does not know any directive. Different regional and national approval procedures currently exist all over the world, including for example the ATEX directive in the European Union or national approvals in the USA (UL, FM).
A main component of the IECEx Scheme (IECEx Certification of Personnel Competencies) runs on similar lines. It focuses on the certification of the personal skills of professionals working in hazardous areas. This is designed as a guarantee for global operators that employees possess the necessary qualification and experience to perform with perfection highly complex tasks in hazardous areas.

CompEx:
CompEx is an internationally recognized course and qualification in explosive atmospheres. It provides competency-based assessment for personnel working in hazardous locations. Several training provider have licensed CompEx centres offering courses that are leading the way in competency validation. Combining both theory and practical skills, our courses are hands-on and interactive. CompEx validation and hazardous area training are most relevant and essential to people who are involved in the design, selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of equipment, and for those managing people in these disciplines.

Example: What does the national german "BetrSichV" regulate?

The german “BetrSiV” regulates the safe handling of work equipment (§ 4 basic duties of the employer).
The equipment must not be used until:
  1. a risk assessment has been carried out.
  2. Protective measures have been taken.
  3. Tests are conducted and documented and
  4. it is stated that the use is safe

Work equipment includes:

  • Installations: A system is a set of spatially and functionally related machines or devices which also form a unit in terms of tax technology and safety, which interact with each other
  • Work equipment: Work equipment is tools, equipment, machinery or equipment. They range from simple hand tools such. As hammer, screwdriver, electrical appliances or machinery, such as. As lathes, to systems, such. B. process or manufacturing equipment

Example: What regulates the GefStV in Germany?

The objective is the protection of man and the environment from material damage, by
  • Regulations for the classification, labeling and packaging of dangerous substances and preparations,
  • Measures to protect workers and other persons involved in activities involving hazardous substances; and
  • Restrictions on the manufacture and use of certain dangerous substances, preparations and articles
The GefStV is valid for:
  • all dangerous substances and preparations which have harmful properties or are explosive
  • regarding measures for activities involving hazardous substances that can lead to fire and explosion hazards

Periodic inspections for Ex installations in Germany

The employer must have work equipment checked before the first use, if the safety depends on the installation conditions (§14). The equipment must be checked by a qualified / competent person. However, the tests can also be carried out by an “approved inspection body”. The tests incl. the results must be documented (§17). The maximum (!) check intervals are as follows:
  • max. annually: e.g. Gas detectors, ventilation systems, intertisation systems
  • max. every 3 years: all other equipment acc. ATEX 2014/34/EU
  • max. every 6 years: order check (ex-protection document, zones, examinations, etc.)

If the operator presents a suitable maintenance concept(during the order check), the mentioned inspection intervals can become obsolete.

Tests after repair / recommissioning for modifications subject to mandatory inspection remain unaffected.

What is a "competent person" in general?

IEC/EN 60079-14 specifies in some detail the requirements for people involved in the, application design, selection and installation of equipment or plant used in hazardous (potentially explosive) atmospheres. The IEC 60079-14 and IEC 60079-17 standards identifies the various roles that require training and the level of training required:

  • Responsible Persons, Operatives, Electrical Designers (design and selection), e.g.

Ex- Authority (Operator)

This role or position is not regulated by law. The ex-authority does not necessarily have to be the “competent person” acc. IEC 60079-ff This role can be understood more as a manager of the explosion protection system. Also important is the written appointment with clear written regulation of powers, duties and responsibilities. The so-called “ex- authority” are also on the manufacturer side, even if the tasks are quite different.

Get in contact!

I am very happy to be at your disposal and I look forward to hearing from you.

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Tel.: +49 (0)511 94 02 507
Mail: info@germersdorf-beratung.de

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