Explosion safety document (ESD/EPD)
Everything you need to know about the ESD/EPD, part of ATEX 153
Is there a risk of explosion in your company? Then it is important to protect your employees by taking appropriate measures. You are even required to do so because it is included in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Your company must comply with ATEX 153, a European directive on explosion safety. Part of this directive involves preparing an explosion safety document (ESD/EPD).
Accurate documentation is an important tool in
explosion safety
. In this blog you will find the answer to the most important questions regarding documentation that is part of
ATEX 153
:
- When is an explosion safety document required?
- How can I prepare an explosion safety document?
- What technical and organizational measures are there?
When is an explosion safety document required?
An explosion safety document is mandatory if your company works with hazardous gases or substances. It is part of your company's risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E). It is also known as a more in-depth RI&E. The explosion safety document must include both technical and organizational measures to prevent explosion hazards. Anyone is authorized to draft an ESD, but it is mandatory to have the document reviewed by a certified expert. This expert will assess whether the document is complete, corresponds to reality, and reflects the current situation.
How can I prepare an explosion safety document (ESD/EPD)?
Ensure that the following mandatory topics are addressed when preparing an ESD:
- A detailed risk analysis.
- A hazardous area classification.
- Appropriate technical and organizational measures.
- Employee training and education.
The information in the explosion safety document must always be up-to-date. Are there any changes? For example, in the processes? Then update the ESD accordingly.
What technical and organizational measures are there?
When preparing the explosion safety document, you determine measures to prevent explosions. These measures can be divided into technical and organizational measures. Below you will find what this entails.
Technical measures
On the technical side, you can include the following measures in the explosion safety document:
- Take precautions to prevent the possibility of explosions. For example, you can remove flammable substances or ignition sources.
- Implement constructive measures on installations to mitigate the consequences of an explosion.
- Take measures based on measurement and control technology.
Organizational measures
Would you like to know more about explosion safety or specifically about the explosion safety document? Or do you have questions about obtaining an ATEX certificate? Feel free to contact us. The experts at DEKRA will be happy to tell you more about it.