In this article we will take a closer look at ATEX Environments in the food production industry. We will also highlight four points to consider if you want to secure continuous improvement in this area.

ATEX is an abbreviation of two EU directives that outline the minimum safety requirements for areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere. Within the food production industry, ATEX environments are commonly associated with:

  • Flour mills, Confectioneries, and Bakeries
  • Cereal manufacturers
  • Spice factories or sites that work with spices
  • Sites that work with egg or milk powders
  • Coffee manufacturers
  • Sites that work with nuts or powdered nuts

It is also worth noting that ATEX environments can relate to the transportation, processing, or storage of products and ingredients.

How to enhance your ATEX management strategy?

To effectively safeguard your food production site and the operatives on the premises, it is essential that you strive for the continuous improvement of your ATEX management strategy. Below are four areas to consider when putting this into practice:

1. The Classification and Zoning of ATEX areas

First, you must identify, classify, and segregate the ATEX areas at your site. Classification will be dependant on a number of factors including the size and location of the area, along with the risk level of an explosion.

It is then a case of segregating the ATEX environment, ensuring operatives only enter if they are wearing the correct clothing (e.g. anti-static footwear) and using the right equipment (ATEX-specific utensils). To reinforce key messaging, you will need to introduce clear signage featuring the specified ‘EX’ sign. You could also use Visual Management Solutions to highlight useful images and instructions.

Learn more about our Visual Management Solutions

2. The introduction of specialist ATEX equipment

As mentioned above, it is vital that only specialist equipment is used in ATEX environments. Otherwise, you could be increasing the risk of electrostatic discharge igniting the explosive atmosphere.

Aware of the specific challenges surrounding the cleaning of ATEX environments, we have recently launched a range of Vacuum Cleaners and Vacuum Attachments. One of the Vacuum Cleaners within this range has been designed for ATEX environments and a wide selection of the attachments are available in black, ATEX rated material.

Discover our range of Vacuum Cleaners and Attachments

3. The ongoing training and support of your operatives

It is hard to think of an area of your site where the training and support of your team is more important than in an ATEX environment. After all, operatives working in this area are responsible for the safety of the entire factory and have to manage the pressures of working within such a high-pressure environment. With this in mind, you will need to carry out regular training sessions and establish a clear system of control. This could also be another opportunity to introduce Visual Management solutions to your site – reminding your team of key action points and highlighting the importance of the work they are doing.

4. Official guidance surrounding ATEX environments

It is essential that companies operating within potentially explosive atmospheres adhere to the relevant guidelines. For the EU, this is the ATEX Directive.

Of course, post Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the EU. With this in mind, you can click here to learn more about the statutory guidance that is now in place for Great Britain, with additional information for Northern Ireland. The Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also provided a useful overview that has been written with UK food production sites in mind. Click here to learn more.

So that brings us to the end of our overview of ATEX Environments in food production sites. We hope this article has highlighted the importance of continuous improvement and has inspired you to prioritise the four areas listed above.

If you would like to learn more about any of the solutions we have mentioned, in particular our ATEX-compatible Vacuum Cleaner and Attachments, we would be happy to discuss the options.

You can contact us on 01473461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, you can share your details via the form below and we will be in touch. 

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