Expertise and competency in hazardous areas a joint approach between manufacturers and operators

In accordance with the ATEX directives the manufacturer and the employer (operator) are obliged not only to satisfy their respective responsibilities under the Directive 94/9/EC or Directive 1999/92/EC but also to implement them in an appropriately linked fashion. The directives accordingly represent a consistent and harmonised plan for the production, selection and operation of equipment for use in hazardous areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. However, in practice during operation questions are repeatedly raised which are associated with the concrete implementation of the directives. A multitude of specialist know-how and experience which are relevant to the daily practice are further required in the Ex field, which are not taught at vocational colleges and universities and which were often very widespread when the directives were introduced, e.g. in the field of mechanical explosion protection. This know-how is frequently still missing and must be drawn up again by experts and often procured externally, e.g. through consultants, training courses, seminars.