Worker Protection Directive (ATEX 137)

ATEX 137 is a Directive for 'The Protection of Workers at Risk from Potentially Explosive Atmospheres' (1999/92/EC) - commonly known as the 'User' directive. It requires that end users must proceed to make an extensive risk analysis of their 'work places' and 'work equipment', ensuring that these fulfill the 'minimum requirements' listed in the directive.

Atmospheres with potentially explosive dust must also conform to the requirements of the directive. This includes locations like silos, flour mills, saw mills and milk powder production or transformation facilities.

Zones and categories

Cate- gory	Degree of Safety	Design Requirement	Application	Expected Zone of Use
1	Very high level of safety	Two independent means of protection or safe with two separate faults	Where explosive atmospheres are present continuously or for lengthy periods	Zone 0 (gas) Zone 20 (dust)
2	High level of safety	Safe with frequently occurring disturbances or with one operating fault	Where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur	Zone 1 (gas) Zone 21 (dust)
3	Normal level of safety	Safe in normal operation	Where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur infrequently and be of short duration	Zone 2 (gas) Zone 22 (dust)
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Standards

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EN 60079-14	Electrical Installations in Hazardous Areas (gas)
EN 60079-17	Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in hazardous areas (gas)
IEC 60079-19	Repair and overhaul for apparatus used in explosive atmospheres (gas)
EN 50281-1-2	Electrical apparatus protected by enclosures Selection and installation and maintenance (dust)

Minimum requirements

The risk analysis made by the end user (as per ATEX 137) consists of Identification, Assessment and Explosion Protection Document, and must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• Training programs
• Written instructions
• Associated connected devices
• Explosion protection measures
• Verification before start up
• Maintenance

References:

• http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/atex
• Directive 94/9/EC : Equipment and Protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX Directive known as ATEX 95 with reference to the Treaty of Amsterdam: 2.10.1997)
• Directive 1999/92/EC: Minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risks from explosive atmospheres (ATEX Directive known as ATEX 137 with reference to the Treaty of Amsterdam: 2.10.1997)
• Guidelines on the application of Directive 94/9/EC : July 2005 Ed. 2
• Guide of good practice for implementing Directive 1999/92/EC : 25.8.2003
• 1st 26.1.2000 and 2nd 5.12.2000 Corrigendum's to Directive 94/9/EC
• Consolidated text of Directive 94/9/EC : 20.11.2003