Explosion Protection Documents (EPD)

RD 681/2003 establishes a series of obligations for the employer aimed at preventing explosions and protecting workers, requiring an evaluation of the risks, to adopt the necessary prevention measures, being necessary in turn to coordinate activities, training and worker information.

Some specific obligations are also established, such as the classification of areas at risk of fire and explosion, the specific characteristics that must be met by equipment installed or introduced in classified areas are regulated, and the obligation to prepare and keep an updated document is established. explosion protection (EPD), which will include all the preventive aspects that have been developed in the company.

The explosion protection document will be reviewed whenever modifications, extensions or transformations are made to the facilities, processes or products.

In any case, and whether or not expansions and/or modifications have been made to the plant to guarantee regulatory compliance at the time in force, the EPD review should be carried out every 3 years, to guarantee that the periodic inspection of the Atex facilities that marks UNE EN 60079/17, is carried out in accordance with updated production processes.

It depends on several factors. The knowledge that the staff has about ATEX installations, the company culture on this topic, and the available documentation, among others, is very important:

• Updated floor plans.
• Equipment inventory .
• Characterization of substances with risk.
• Organization chart of responsible personnel.
• Work and maintenance and cleaning procedures.
• Level of ATEX training of personnel.

A factor that influences, but is not determining, is the size of the company.

The involvement of the Owner in the project, his participation, and the greater or lesser agility in the responses and interactions with Engineering / Consulting is very important.

At an indicative level, an approximate duration estimate of the project can be made of between 8 and 12 weeks.

1. The EPD Documents are mandatory and legal documents that must be prepared by the employer and serve to PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO THE RISKS DERIVED FROM EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES IN THE WORKPLACE, and in compliance with the obligations established in article 4 of Royal Decree 681/2003.
2. Said explosion protection document must specifically reflect:
   1. That the explosion risks have been determined and evaluated.
   2. That appropriate measures will be taken to achieve the objectives of this royal decree.
   3. Areas that have been classified into zones in accordance with Annex I.
   4. The areas in which the minimum requirements established in Annex II will be applied.
   5. That the work site and equipment, including warning systems, are designed, used and maintained with due regard to safety.
   6. That the necessary measures have been adopted, in accordance with Royal Decree 1215/1997, so that work equipment is used in safe conditions.

• Tranquillity. Legal compliance with current regulations, having the company controlled, having the responsibilities of the property covered (It is necessary to remember what article 42 of the LPRL establishes that “non-compliance by employers with their obligations regarding the prevention of occupational risks will give rise to administrative responsibilities, as well as, where appropriate, criminal and civil responsibilities for damages and losses that may arise from said non-compliance.
• Economic savings derived from having better studied and limited areas.
• Greater security against accidents that may affect facilities and people.
• Control of the traceability of the implemented and planned security measures.
• Advantages in contracting insurance.