This product summary has been produced to provide a general indication of available and the main features of each product. The vibration levels shown are provided for guidance. They can increase or depending on working conditions and operator technique.

More detailed information is available on separate product literature sheets, format for some and on the undernoted websites :-

Cengar Ltd: www.cengar.com

Wolf Safety Lamp Company: www.wolf-safety.co.uk

Please contact us for technical information, a quotation, demonstration or if have any questions to ask.

ATEX AND EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERATEX AND EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES - SUMMARY

Background
Explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, then all it needs is a source of ignition to cause an explosion.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) place duties on employers to eliminate or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.

What is an explosive atmosphere?
In DSEAR, an explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture. Where can explosive atmospheres be found?

Many workplaces may contain, or have activities that produce, explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres. Examples include places where work activities create or release flammable gases or vapours, such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as grain flour or wood.

What is ATEX?
ATEX is the name commonly given to the framework for controlling explosive atmospheres and the standards of equipment and protective systems used in them. It is based on the requirements of two European Directives.

1) Directive 99/92/EC - minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

2) Directive 94/9/EC - equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

What does DSEAR require?
DSEAR requires employers to eliminate or control the risks from dangerous substances. Classification of areas where explosive atmospheres may occur Employers must classify areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur into zones.

Selection of equipment and protective systems

Areas classified into zones must be protected from sources of ignition. Equipment and protective systems intended to be used in zoned areas should be selected to meet the requirements of the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially

Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996. Equipment already in use before July 2003 can continue to be used indefinitely provided a risk assessment shows it is safe to do so.

When must the workplace requirements be met?
The specific DSEAR requirements dealing with explosive atmospheres come into effect at different times depending on when the workplace is first used.

Workplace When requirements must be met

Workplace in use before July 2003 Workplace must meet requirements by July 2006

Workplace in use before July 2003 but modified before July 2006 requirements from the time the
modification takes place

Workplace comes into use for the first time after Workplace must meet June 2003 requirements from the time it comes into use

The Regulations apply to all equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres, whether electrical or mechanical, and also to protective systems.

Manufacturers/suppliers (or importers, if the manufacturers are outside the EU) must ensure that their products meet essential health and safety requirements and undergo appropriate conformity procedures. This usually involves testing and certification by a ‘third-party’ certification body (known as a Notified Body) but manufacturers/suppliers can ‘self-certify’ equipment intended to be used in less hazardous explosive atmospheres. Once certified, the equipment is marked by the ‘EX’symbol to identify it as such.

Certification ensures that the equipment or protective system is fit for its intended purpose and that adequate information is supplied with it to ensure that it can be used safely.