Last edit: 16/05/2023
The necessity to reduce the incidence of explosions and flash fires at work is prompted by both humanitarian and economic considerations and has led to the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC.The humanitarian considerations are obvious: explosions and fires can cause hideous injuries and deaths.
The economic considerations are contained in every study into the true costs of accidents, which all show that improved risk (health and safety) management can substantially increase company profits.This latter being particularly true where potential explosions are concerned.
Adoption of legislative measures is a part of the commitment to include health and safety of workers at work in the global approach to well-being at work.The European Commission combines a variety of instruments to consolidate a real culture of risk prevention. The methodology to be followed goes through the following steps:
to identify hazards and assess the risks;
• to lay down specific measures to safeguard the safety and health of workers at risk from explosive atmospheres;
• to ensure a safe working environment and appropriate surveillance during the presence of workers in accordance with the risk assessment;
• to take the necessary steps and make the necessary arrangements for coordination when several firms are operating at the same workplace;
• to produce an explosion protection document.
GT Engineering prepares risk analysis according to the 99/92/EC Directive.