Confusion Still Exists Over Explosive Directive:

This release explains how many manufacturers, particulary in the food manufacturing industry remain confused about the European explosive atmospheres directive ATEX two years after they have meant to assessed the risks in their production lines.

[ClickPress, Mon Jun 09 2008] Despite being in force for two years this month (July), the European explosive atmospheres directive ATEX, is still causing confusion to manufacturers.

Even though ATEX has been in force since 2003 ensuring all new equipment adheres to safety standards, it was only in July 2006 that ATEX 137 was introduced to cover all existing equipment which has to be assessed regarding risk of igniting an explosion.

Under ATEX employers are required to do a risk assessment of areas where explosive atmospheres might be present, establish hazardous areas (zones) and use ignition protection in these areas, failure to do so can invoke enforcement action from the Health and safety Executive.

However, many companies have found the ATEX directive misleading with some companies describing it as ‘overkill’ whilst others are over-zoning and perhaps costing them unnecessary expenditure in replacing equipment that doesn’t need changing.

Richard Kay, marketing manager with sieves and separators company Russell Finex, who supply ATEX approved equipment, says that although only 50 % of companies had not heard of ATEX when it was first introduced, more companies where now aware of the directive but it has led to all sorts of misinterpretation.

“We are finding more people are aware of ATEX now but many people are confused. Some food manufacturers are telling us it is overkill and that they feel their areas have little explosive risk so ATEX is an unnecessary cost to them while another manufacturer with an identical plant may overzone the same area and replace all the equipment unnecessarily.

“The directive is there to give guidance but it is just too ambiguous. It needs to be simplified with companies knowing exactly what areas should be zoned as.”

And Mark Neal, managing director with Armagard, who supply ATEX approved computer enclosures, agrees that confusion is causing over-zoning: “We hear of companies that have replaced the equipment unnecessarily from entire production lines when just a few minor alterations may be needed.

“Some companies assume that all zones require the same treatment when in fact a zone 2 or zone 22 area has a very low risk of explosion and may cost very little to ensure the area is safe.”

Under the ATEX directive areas have to be zoned with zone 20 being the highest risk zone for dust and zone 0 for gas while zones 22 (dust) and zone 2 (gas) are areas where an explosion is unlikely to occur.

“Recognizing which zone is highly important as the cost involved to meet the requirements of zones 20 or 21 can be severe compared to zones 2 or 22 which may be relatively inexpensive to adhere to,” added Mr Neal.

The Health and Safety executive said that they were aware that confusion over ATEX may exist but they were doing everything they could to assist businesses.

A spokesman said: “It is a challenge for the HSE to engage with small businesses over the whole range of health and safety issues.

“Recognising that explosions and fires from combustible materials are a known hazard within the food industry, about a year ago HSE also produced a web-based information sheet for the food industry on the prevention of dust explosions.

“Manufacturers and suppliers of explosion-protected equipment are also doing much to raise awareness of the need for employers to designate hazardous areas and use the right equipment within them.”

He added that companies wishing to know more about ATEX and other health and safety issues should visit the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk.

Ends

For more information contact:
Richard Williams - Armagard Ltd
Unit 19 Fortnum Close, Birmingham B33 0LG
richard.williams@Galleonmail.com
www.armagard.co.uk
0870 608 3615

Notes for editors:

Armagard Ltd is the UK’s leading manufacturer of industrial computer enclosures for more information about computer enclosures visit http://www.armagard.co.uk

For information on the dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg370.pdf or http://www.hse.gov.uk/food/dustexplosion.htm