ATEX 137 Explosion Protection Document

Companies that use materials in their production processes could cause a potentially explosive atmosphere have a responsibility to their employees regarding occupational safety as well as the prevention of economic damage due to explosions.

For this reason, the minimum requirements for safety and the health protection of employees are defined in Directive 1999/92 EC (ATEX 137). Legal obligations in each EU country are regulated by national laws, regulations and administrative provisions.

Obligations of the operator (“employer”) according to ATEX 137, include the following:
- Prevention of the formation of a potentially explosive atmosphere in the work area or avoidance of its ignition
- Assessment of explosion risks, also regarding the likelihood that an ignitable mixture and an ignition source will occur
- Classification of work areas into zones, depending on the frequency and duration of the existence of a potentially explosive atmosphere (required for old zone divisions in Framework Directive 89/391 EEC)
- Marking of hazardous areas with uniform warning signs
- Provision of work equipment that conforms to ATEX 95 and that is suitable for the intended area of use.
- Example: Area of use classified as zone 1 - the certification of the work equipment, e.g. the scale, must at least have II 2 G (the higher equipment category II 1 G includes zone 1)
- Creation of an explosion protection document related to workplace safety and work equipment safety (Articles 4 and 8, Directive 1999/92/EC)