Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(c) the circumstances of the work including:
(i) the work processes and substances used and
their possible interactions;
(ii) the amount of the substance involved;
(iii) where the work will involve more than one dan-
gerous substance, the risk presented by such
substances in combination; and
(iv) the arrangements for the safe handling, storage
and transport of dangerous substances and of
waste containing dangerous substances;
(d) activities, such as maintenance, where there is the
potential for a high level of risk;
(e) the effect of measures which have been or will be
taken pursuant to the regulations;
(f) the likelihood that an explosive atmosphere will
occur and its persistence;
(g) the likelihood that ignition sources, including elec-
trostatic discharges, will be present and become
active and effective;
(h) the scale of the anticipated effects of a fi re or an
explosion;
is not reasonably practicable, to take rneasures to con-
trol risks and to reduce the harmful effects of any fi re,
explosion or similar event, so far as is reasonably practi-
cable (mitigation).
15.17.5 Mitigation measures
An employer should apply mitigation measures, which are
consistent with the risk assessment and appropriate to
the nature of the activity or operation. These can include:
➤
Preventing fi res and explosions from spreading to
other plant and equipment or to other parts of the
workplace
➤
Reducing the numbers of employees exposed to a
minimum
➤
In the case of process plant, providing plant and
equipment that can safely contain or suppress an
explosion, or vent it to a safe place.
Measures taken to achieve the elimination or the reduc-
tion of risk should take into account the design, con-
struction and maintenance of the workplace and work
processes, including all relevant plant, equipment, con-
trol and protection systems.
(i)
any places which are or can be connected via open-
ings to places in which explosive atmospheres may
occur; and
(j)
such additional safety information as the employer
may need in order to complete the risk assessment.
15.17.6 Workplace classifi cation and marking -
regulation 7
Where two or more employers share a workplace where
an explosive atmosphere may occur, the employer
responsible for the workplace is to coordinate the imple-
mentation of the measures required by these regulations
(regulation 11).
Places at the workplace where explosive atmospheres
may occur must be classifi ed as hazardous or non-haz-
ardous and hazardous places must be classifi ed into
zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the
occurrence of an explosive atmosphere (regulation 7(1)
and Schedule 2).
Equipment and protective systems in hazardous
places must comply with the requirements of Schedule 3
(regulation 7(2)) and, where necessary, hazardous places
must be marked with signs at their points of entry in
accordance with Schedule 4 (regulation 7(3)).
15.17.3
Recording the assessment
When employers have fi ve or more employees a record
must be made of the signifi cant fi ndings of the assess-
ment as soon as is practicable after that assessment is
made, including:
➤
Measures taken to eliminate or reduce risk
➤
Suffi cient information to show that the workplace
and work equipment will be safe from risk of fi re and
explosion during operation and maintenance
➤
Details of any areas zoned as hazardous due to the
likely presence of explosive atmospheres
15.17.7 Regulation 10
Containers and pipes used at work for dangerous sub-
stances must, where not already marked, clearly identify
their contents:
➤
Where employers share a workplace, any special
measures to ensure coordination of safety require-
ments to protect workers from explosive atmospheres.
➤
Where necessary, areas classifi ed into zones are
marked with a specifi ed 'EX' sign at their points of
entry
➤
Where employees work in zoned areas they are pro-
vided with appropriate clothing that does not cre-
ate a risk of an electrostatic discharge igniting the
explosive atmosphere
15.17.4 Control measures
Employers are required to ensure that the safety risks
from dangerous substances are eliminated or, where this
