Directive 99/92/EC - risks from explosive atmospheres

Objective

This Directive aims at establishing and harmonising minimum requirements for improving the safety and health of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

Definition

The Directive defines 'explosive atmosphere' is a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

Contents

Obligations of employers

The employer shall take appropriate technical and/or organisational measures for the prevention of the formation of explosive atmospheres, or where the nature of the activity does not allow that, the avoidance of the ignition of explosive atmospheres and reduce the effects of an explosion in such a way that the health of workers is not at risk.

The employer is obliged to carry out a risk assessment according to the general provision set out in the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC taking into account the likelihood that explosive atmospheres will occur and their persistence; the likelihood that ignition sources (incl. electrostatic discharges) will be present and become active and effective; the installations, substances used, processes, and their possible interactions; and the scale of the anticipated effects.

If places where explosive atmosphere may occur are identified they must classified in accordance with Annex III of this Directive.

The employer must ensure that an explosion protection document is drawn up and kept up to date. This document shall demonstrate that health and safety protection measures are in accordance with legal requirements as set out in this Directive and in the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC.

The employer must inform workers and/or their representatives of all the measures to be taken for their safety and health at work.

The employer must take the necessary steps to ensure that workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres receive appropriate training.

Work equipment for use in places where explosive atmospheres may occur must comply with the minimum requirements laid down in the Annex to the Directive.

Read the full text of the consolidated version of the Directive (including later amendments)

Read the full text of the original Directive

National measures implementing this Directive

Further information on this topic

See also further document of the European Commission on that topic:

Evaluation of the Practical Implementation of the EU Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Directives in EU Member States - Directive on the minimum requirements for improving safety and protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres (ATEX) (2017)