Explosion safety as core competency: optimum risk management based on a professional explosion safety document

With regard to explosion risk, you may think of business environments with highly flammable substances such as gasoline vapor or gas, but there are many more substances that present an explosion hazard.

An explosive atmosphere is created by a mixture of oxygen and a flammable substance. In addition to gas and flammable vapors, it can also include wood dust, plastic particles, flour, milk powder or even metal particles.

Amendments to the Working Conditions Decree on explosive atmospheres
ATEX

Advice, prevention, response

Expert advice is essential for averting the risk of explosion. Our primary goal is to prevent flammable dust from spreading through the air. If that is not feasible in your business process, we will examine together with you which potential sources of ignition we can remove.

In addition to all preventive measures, we also take into account the consequences if an explosion does occur, including constructive measures to limit the consequences of an explosion.

Guaranteed state-of-the-art expert advice

The legally required protection of workers against the risk of explosion is laid down in the ATEX 153 directive, further elaborated in the Working Conditions Decree in the Netherlands. This directive requires a company to identify, assess, and describe all explosion risks in an explosion protection document (EVD). We are recognized experts in the field of explosion hazard, we conduct explosion risk analyses and we also prepare legally required documents.

If prevention is not possible, you must take measures against possible ignition

The Explosion Safety Document (EVD)

The EVD is mandatory if you are dealing with potentially explosive areas in or around your buildings and/or installations. This document describes how to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere (a flammable mixture of oxygen with gas, vapors or dust particles).

If prevention is not possible, you must take measures against possible ignition (sparks, fire, etc.) and against the harmful consequences if an explosion occurs in spite of everything. Each time you adjust your business processes or work environment, this may affect the explosion risks and it is important to update the EVD.

Audit implementation Explosion safety document

If you already have an explosion safety document, the organizational measures must also be in line with it. Because organizing explosion safety is often a complex and lengthy process, in practice the current status sometimes becomes unclear. EFPC provides insight into the current situation with an audit of the implementation of the explosion protection document.

Do you have an EVD and does it meet the standard?

Contact us now for an EVD audit »

Frequently asked questions

Explosion protection refers to the set of measures and procedures applied to prevent explosions and mitigate their effects. This includes preparation of an explosion protection document, hazard zone classification use of explosion-proof apparatus and equipment and elaboration of organisational measures to ensure a safe working environment.

An explosion can occur when a combustible substance (gas, combustible vapour, combustible mist or combustible dust) comes into contact with an ignition source within an explosive atmosphere. This is often illustrated by the explosion triangle, which highlights the three elements for an explosion: fuel, oxygen and ignition source.

The ATEX directives are European rules implemented in Dutch legislation that specify the minimum safety requirements for workplaces and equipment in explosive environments. They include the drafting of an explosion protection document (EVD) incl. a hazard zone classification and a risk assessment ignition sources according to the Working Conditions Decree in which Directive 1999/92/EEC (in short: ATEX 153 Directive) is implemented3.

If danger zones are defined, explosion-proof equipment must be used within these danger zones in accordance with the equipment category of the Commodities Act Decree on Explosion-Proof Equipment 2016 in which Directive 2014/34/EU (for short: ATEX 114) is implemented.

Yes, preparing an Explosion Protection Document (ESD) is mandatory under the ATEX legislation. The document must contain information on the measures taken to control explosion risks and must be regularly updated.

An explosive atmosphere, also known as an ATEX zone, is an area where an explosive atmosphere may occur. Specific safety measures must be taken in these zones, such as the use of ATEX-labelled equipment.

An ESD contains a detailed explosion risk assessment, a description of the explosive atmospheres that may occur, zoning, and the technical and organisational measures taken. It should also contain information on the explosion protection training provided to workers.