Working in potentially explosive atmospheres is no joke. The potential of dangerous or even catastrophic consequences aside, there is also the risk of significant economic losses if supervisory authorities uncover any issues. There are plenty of examples of oil installations and industrial plants being shut down immediately and for long periods because of unsecured ignition sources.
However, as with most EU directives, it can be hard to keep track of all the requirements. That’s why we’ve written this quick guide to the ATEX 137 workplace directive (1999/92/EC), describing the minimum requirements for safety and health in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Hope you’ll find it helpful!