Legislation Explained

An introduction to the ATEX Directive 94/4/E

 

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE REGULATIONS 2002

“DSEAR” is a set of regulations concerned with the protection against risks from fire, explosion and similar events arising from dangerous substances used or present in the workplace.  The regulations apply to employers and the self-employed.

Regulations came into force 9^th December 2002.

DUTIES OF THE EMPLOYER

• Carry our a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous substances

• Provide measures to eliminate or reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable

• Provide equipment and procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies

• Provide information and training to employees

• Classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones and mark the zones where necessary

• In workplaces where explosive atmospheres may occur, employers should ensure that:
   

•      areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur are classified into zones
  based on their likelihood and persistence
   

•    areas classified into zones are protected from sources of ignition by selecting equipment an protective systems meeting the requirements of the Equipment and Protective Systems
  Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 (ATEX),
  although equipment already in use before July 3#2003 can continue to be used indefinitely provided the risk assessment shows it is safe to do so.
   

•      where necessary, areas classified into zones are marked with a specified “EX” sign  at their points of entry
   

•     where employees work in zoned areas they are provided with appropriate clothing that does not create a risk of an electrostatic DISCHARGE igniting the explosive atmosphere
   

•     before coming into operation for the first time, areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may be present are confirmed as being safe (verified) by a person (or organisation) 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 the adequacy of control and other measures put in place.

ENFORCEMENT

 DSEAR will be enforced by:

• HSE or local authorities depending on the allocation of premises under the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998.  In the main, HSE will enforce at industrial premises and local authorities (environmental health officers) elsewhere e.g in retail premises

• Fire authorities at most premises subject to DSEAR in relation to general fire precautions such as means of escape.

HAZARDOUS AREAS AND ZONE RATING

Hazardous areas exist where there is a presence of a flammable liquid or gas, some materials not classified as flammable can be ignited, for example when atomised by a spray gun.

Who decides?  Determination of the zone rating (zone 0, 1, 2 or none) is the responsibility of the company who have ownership of the facility (spraybooth, mix room etc.).  Display signs must be displayed accordingly.  Zone rating must be carried out by a competent person.

EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATION

Divided into 2 groups:

• Group I – Underground mining equipment
• Group II – All other plates liable to be endangered by explosive atmospheres.
  Sub-divided into categories depending on the presence of the explosive atmosphere:

-          CAT 1 – continuously or for long period

-          CAT 2 – frequently

-          CAT 3 – infrequently

ZONES AND CATEGORIES

• Zone 0 = CAT 1
  Mechanical or electrical product – requires type examination by a notified body.
• Where: Gaseous hazard is normally present, continuously.
• Example: Inside an open or closed container or mix tank
  Inside a gun wash machine
• Products:  Agitators
  Pumps (e.g. Pogo pump)

 

• Zone 1 = CAT 2
  Electrical product – requires type examination by a notified body.
  Mechanical product – required self-assessment and lodge technical file with notified body.
• Where:    Gaseous hazard is normally present, intermittently.
• Example: Inside a spray booth
  Inside a mix room
• Products: Spraygunds, handheld Automatic and Electrostatic Pumps
  (utilising a suction wand/pipe)
  Pressure Feed tanks (without agitator)
  Hoses
  Fluid Regulators

 

• Zone 2 = CAT 3
  Electrical and Mechanical products – requires self-assessment and lodge technical file with notified body.
• Where:    Gaseous hazard is present abnormally only
• Example: Some spray booths
  Open area 2m beyond Zone 1 area
• Products: Same as for Zone 1/CAT 2

INSTALLATIONS

A common situation is that pieces of already certified equipment are placed on the market independently by one or more manufacturer(s) and are not placed on the market by a single legal person as a single functional unit.  Combining such equipment and installing at the user’s premises is not considered as manufacturing and does not result in equipment; the result is an installation and is outside the scope of the ATEX directive 94/9/EC.  The installer has to ensure that the initially conforming pieces of equipment are still conforming when they are taken into service.  For that reason, he has to carefully follow all installation instructions of the manufacturers.

HAZARDS WITH FINISHING EQUIPMENT

The most common hazard associated with the use of non-electrical equipment is Static Electricity.

Static generated by the expanding air/coating material can accumulate on un-earthed metallic equipment and on non-conductive materials, particular when cleaning with a dry cloth.  It is therefore important to bond all metallic equipment to earth and avoid use of non-conducting materials.

Frictional sparking from light alloys.
For Zone 0 use are restricted

EQUIPMENT

Markings

Equipment as defined previously must be marked with the following:

-          name and address of manufacturer

-          the CE mark

-          equipment model number/name/type

-          year of manufacture

-          the Ex Symbol followed by: the equipment group (I or II)
       and category 1, 2 or 3

-          for Gas (G) or Dust (D) or both (GD)

e.g. Group 2, Cat 2 Gas

 
 

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