At present, the prevention of risks in explosive atmospheres (ATEX) is strictly regulated by European directives and several decrees issued in 2002-2003.
These require the implementation of a genuine risk analysis approach, based on the need to carry out regular checks after evaluation.
Here’s everything you need to know about the ATEX compliance audit process to protect your site and your employees.
What is an ATEX audit?
The ATEX compliance audit enables us to determine the level of compliance of an industrial site with regulatory requirements.
The aim is to verify that ATEX risks are under control and/or to identify ways of better protecting against them. To do this, the experts in charge must :
- Check the physical integrity of all ATEX equipment;
- Check the conformity of ATEX equipment;
- Check that equipment complies with ATEX zoning;
Finally, particular attention must be paid to the suitability of electrical and non-electrical equipment installed in ATEX zones.
The purpose of an ATEX audit is to make sure that we’re moving in the right direction in terms of risk control, and also to optimize the costs involved in ATEX compliance.
What are the prerequisites for an ATEX assessment?
First and foremost, it is essential to have carried out a study of occupational hazards and explosion risks.
As a reminder, explosion risk assessment is a requirement introduced by Directive ATEX 99/92/EC and transposed into national law through Article D4227-46 of the French Labor Code. It makes it possible to estimate :
- The probability of an explosive atmosphere,
- The probability of ignition of these explosive atmospheres
- The extent of foreseeable consequences.
The ATEX assessment also requires prior ATEX zoning.
The aim? To be able to produce a Document Relative à la Protection Contre les Explosions (DRPCE) which will serve as the basis for the audit.
How does an ATEX conformity assessment work?
The ATEX audit is carried out by experts within a strict regulatory framework.
In general, it is carried out in three stages: observation, analysis and feedback.
First of all, the audit begins with a time devoted to visiting and observing the installations.
This stage also involves examining and analyzing available documentation on ATEX risk, organization and safety (single document, DRPCE, etc.).
Next, the audit team analyzes risk management itself, in each zone:
- Identifying hot spots ;
- Identifying spark hazard areas ;
- Checking marking, etc.
- Number of people exposed ;
If necessary, ATEX experts revise the risk hierarchy and issue new recommendations for action on residual risks.
After evaluation, a detailed report is submitted to the decision-makers. It generally includes :
- Defining priorities for action to address the risk of explosion ;
- Validation of actions taken to reduce risk;
- Redirecting ill-defined actions
- Identifying gaps
- Suggestions for deleting actions not required by regulations.
- Proposal of alternative solutions.
We remind you that an ATEX compliance audit is not a risk assessment. It is not a question of reproducing the steps already taken, but of having them validated by an approved body with expertise in the field.
Would you like to find out more about ATEX risk management?
ADF Systèmes makes it a point of honor to help you choose the products and solutions best suited to your industrial safety and risk management needs.
