Potentially explosive atmosphere?(risk assessment and electrical equipment)(Brief Article)

Since 1977, when the European Economic Community implemented legislation covering the design and manufacture of electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, there has been no European legislation covering how such areas were to be identified, so it can be argued that workers have been at risk. Perhaps this is an example of the old 'common market' approach that was more interested in the free movement of goods -- in this case equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres -- rather than a 'European Union' approach that also claims to be interested in improving conditions in the workplace.

The advent of a new directive created under article 137 of the European Treaty (ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC) marks a change. All employers who may have a potentially …