SAFETY
Under the ATEX system, zones containing gases/vapours are assigned a rating between 0 (in which an explosive mixture is continuously present or present for long periods) and 2 (in which an explosive mixture is not likely to occur in normal operation and if it occurs, will exist only for a short time). Similarly, zones containing combustible dust or fibres are rated between 20 and 22, based on the same criteria. Each ATEX level contains
corresponding guidelines on the safety measures that electronic equipment must incorporate to achieve certification for use in that zone. As expected, a device that’s certified for zone 0 requires much more stringent safety features than those required for use in zone 2. Once assessment has been completed, organisations must ensure that only devices with the corresponding ATEX certification enter that zone, to ensure worker safety and achieve/maintain regulatory compliance. Fortunately, mobile device technology as a whole has evolved considerably in terms of design, manufacturing and testing. As a result, industrial mining
customers can now choose from a wide range of ATEX-certified, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions, which are both versatile and cost-efficient, as well as certified safe for ATEX zones 0/20, 1/21 and 2/22, depending on the chosen device. Central to this is the advancement of intrinsically safe design and manufacturing processes. Features required for ATEX zone 2/22 certification, such as port protection, temperature control and double fault circuitry are now much more widely available on devices from rugged manufacturers, either as standard or as optional extras. Tis makes it much easier for organisations to meet the standards required.
WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? Of course, devices designed with safety first and foremost will always have to make trade-offs against pure consumer- orientated laptops and tablets, but these have diminished greatly in recent years. In the past, many ATEX certified devices were cumbersome and outdated right out of the box. Now, the biggest trade-offs tend to be a small weight penalty, slightly
dimmer screen (due to lower energy output), and lack of interchangeable battery (due to the device being completely sealed). All of these are small prices to pay for significantly improved worker safety. As the drive for digital transformation continues to gather pace across the industrial sector, digital devices are finding their way into all sorts of areas where previously there were none. Tis represents a positive step in terms of productivity and operational efficiency, but it also introduces a significant level of risk that must be addressed to ensure worker safety and regulatory compliance. Te growth of ATEX-certified, intrinsically safe devices in recent years has taken much of the pain out of workflow and procurement processes, but with so many options now available, it’s absolutely critical that organisations carry out their due diligence before committing to a final purchasing decision.
Tom Baldwin is with Getac.
www.getac.com
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