SAFETY IN THE PLANT
Melina Diaz outlines the steps required to comply with legislation designed to ensure workplaces are optimally placed to minimise the possibility of combustible dust creating an explosion risk
D DIMINISH THE T
he dangers posed by combustible dust are so potentially serious that implementing the minimum safety measures of a mitigation plan and
risk assessment are either legally required or highly recommended for most production facilities around the world – even those where the likelihood of an explosion is incredibly small.
Tis makes being familiar with the specific standards and codes in your region – or regions, given the inevitable geographical variations – vital. In the EU, two main directives are legally required, with ATEX 153 outlining minimum
requirements for the health and safety of employees, and ATEX 114 ensuring that equipment suppliers such as Donaldson provide the most-effective solutions to make potentially explosive atmospheres safer. Previously known as ATEX 137 or the
‘social’ or ‘workplace’ directive, ATEX 153 1999/92/EC requirements oblige employers to evaluate the potential risk at their premises, whether or not explosive dust is likely. Assuming they have sufficient knowledge, this risk assessment can be performed – on a regular basis – by the employer’s own Health & Safety
ANGERS OF DUST
personnel, using the checklist in Article 8 of the Directive to help address current combustible dust risks. Integrating risk-mitigation planning may
well reduce financial outlay while keeping the explosion risk-assessment process on track. And, although the most advanced mitigation technologies may have higher initial price tags, when compared to the overall cost of a combustion event, including the potential loss of life resulting from secondary explosions, premium options that reduce downtime, clean-up and damage will invariably seem much-less expensive in the long-term.
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