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QIndustrial Technology asksthe importantuestions...feedback@itmagazine.uk.comHow do we deal with the issues ofconfusion and ambiguity over ATEX?Mark Neal of Armagard has the answerDespite being in force for two years this month July, the Europeanexplosive atmospheres directive ATEX 137, is still causingconfusion to manufacturers. Although we have had ATEXlegislation since 2003, ensuring all new equipment adheres tosafety standards, it was only in July 2006 that ATEX 137 was introducedto cover all existing equipment which has to be assessed regarding risk ofigniting an explosion. Under ATEX employers are required to do a riskassessment of areas where explosive atmospheres might be present,establish hazardous areas (zones) and use ignition protection in theseareas. Failure to do so can invoke enforcement action from the Health andsafety Executive.However, many companies have found the ATEX directive misleadingwith some describing it as ‘overkill’ whilst others are over-zoning, which ispossibly costing them unnecessary expenditure in replacing equipment thatdoesn’t need changing. Richard Kay, marketing manager with sieves andseparators company Russell Finex, which supplies ATEX approvedequipment, reckons that only 50% of companies had not heard of ATEXwhen it was first introduced, but that although more companies were nowaware of the directive, it has led to all sorts of misinterpretation. Hecommented: “We are finding more people are aware of ATEX now butmany people are confused. Some food manufacturers are telling us it isoverkill and that they feel their areas have little explosive risk so ATEX isan unnecessary cost to them, while another manufacturer with an identicalplant may overzone the same area and replace all the equipmentunnecessarily.”The directive is there to give guidance but it is just too ambiguous. Itneeds to be simplified with companies knowing exactly what areas shouldbe zoned as. We regularly hear of companies that have replacedequipment unnecessarily from entire production lines when just a fewminor alterations may be needed. Some companies assume that allzones require the same treatment when in fact a zone 2 or zone 22area has a very low risk of explosion and may cost very little toensure the area is safe. Under the ATEX directive areas have to“More people are aware of ATEX nowbut many people are confused. Someare describing it as overkill, whilstothers are over-zoning. The directiveis there to give guidance but it is tooambiguous. It needs to be simplified”with companies knowing exactly whatareas should be zoned as.July 2008 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGYbe zoned with zone 20 being the highest risk zone for dust and zone 0 forgas while zones 22 (dust) and zone 2 (gas) are areas where an explosionis unlikely to occur. Recognising which zone you are dealing with is highlyimportant as the cost involved to meet the requirements of zones 20 or 21can be severe compared to zones 2 or 22 which may be relativelyinexpensive to adhere to. The Health and Safety executive says that it isaware that confusion over ATEX may exist but that it is doing everything itcan to assist businesses. A spokesman said: “It is a challenge for the HSEto engage with small businesses over the whole range of health and safetyissues. Recognising that explosions and fires from combustible materialsare a known hazard within the food industry, about a year ago HSE alsoproduced a web-based information sheet for the food industry on theprevention of dust explosions. Manufacturers and suppliers of explosionprotectedequipment are also doing much to raise awareness of the needfor employers to designate hazardous areas and use the right equipmentwithin them.”He added that companies wishing to know more about ATEX and otherhealth and safety issues should visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk.Specific resources offering more information on dangerous substances andexplosive atmospheres are at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg370.pdf andwww.hse.gov.uk/food/dustexplosion.htm.Mark Neal is MD of ATEX approved enclosure supplier Armagard.17