HomepageExplosion safety document
If there is a danger of a gas explosion or of any other hazardous substance exploding on your company’s property, you must comply with the provisions of the European Directive on explosion safety: ATEX-137. You are required in certain cases to draw up an explosion safety document (or have one drawn up for you). The explosion safety document is part of the risk inventory and evaluation. You must draw up the explosion safety document before work commences. The issues addressed by the safety document must include:
- identification and assessment of explosion risks;
- measures to prevent explosions and explosion hazards;
- division into explosion hazard zones;
- description of the design, operation and maintenance of equipment and work areas.
You must also modify the document in the event of a change in your work areas, equipment or working procedures.
Risk of an explosion while undertaking normal painting work
Painters often work with products containing volatile substances that may form a flammable or explosive mixture of vapour when evaporation takes place. In the Dutch-language publication entitled ‘Risks of an explosion during normal painting work’ (Explosierisico’s bij regulier schilderwerk), the Arbouw Foundation examines the risks of an explosion for painters involved in maintenance and new-build projects. For more information, contact Arbouw.
