Explosive atmospheres (gases, vapors, combustible dusts) represent a major risk in many industrial sectors: petrochemicals, food processing, chemicals, and waste treatment. The European ATEX directive imposes strict obligations on employers. This white paper guides HSE professionals through regulatory requirements and risk assessment methods.
Subject
How to identify and classify ATEX zones (0, 1, 2 for gases and vapors; 20, 21, 22 for combustible dusts)? What certified equipment should be used depending on the zone? How to write the Explosion Protection Document (DRPE)? This white paper details the steps of the ATEX process and the essential control points during audits and inspections.
Key points to remember
- Workers Directive: 1999/92/EC (transposed into French law by decree 2002-1553)
- Equipment Directive: 2014/34/EU — ATEX-certified equipment and protective systems
- The DRPE (Document Relating to Explosion Protection) must be drawn up as soon as an ATEX zone is identified.
- 3 equipment groups (I mining, II surface, III non-mining) and 2 atmosphere categories (G gas, D dust)