Emerging Standards & Legislation (DSEAR/ATEX etc)

Explosive Atmospheres Directive ATEX (1999/92/EC)
This European directive sets out what employers have to do, as a minimum, to protect their workforce potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. This must include the possibility of an explosive atmosphere being produced by mixing two otherwise less hazardous chemicals. As with CAD, Work place risk assessments, including hazardous area classification, hazard reduction, inspections, safe working practices, training and emergency procedures are key to compliance.

The Directive also has implications for safety critical systems where IEC 61508 has become the applicable standard.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) implements the Atex directive and parts of the CAD. The remaining part of the CAD will be implemented through changes to the existing COSHH and other regulations. DSEAR brings mechanical well as electrical equipment used in hazardous areas under regulatory control. Current best practice with electrical equipment should go along way to satisfying the regulations, but achieving compliance for mechanical equipment will be more difficult.

IEC 61508
This standard is applicable to safety critical electrical, electronic and electronic programmable systems. IEC 61511, currently under development, applies the principles to such systems used in the process industries. As part of work place risk assessments, the safety integrity level of shut-down systems (SIL) should also be assessed in accordance with these standards.

TAS, with their wide experience of the process, chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries are ideally placed to offer guidance and assistance at any, or all, of the stages in the process of achieving compliance with the regulations. This may include, carrying out risk assessment, hazardous area classifications, inspections, documenting procedures, record maintenance or a range of other services.

2004-2006 Clients for the above include organisations within the following sectors:-

• Oil + Gas
• Pharmaceutical
• Buildings and Estates Infrastructure
• Utilities
• Healthcare Estates
• Chemical Manufacturing + Storage