Risk of explosive atmospheres

 

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 1999/92/EC — minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

KEY POINTS

The directive requires employers to:

Workplaces which were already in use before 30 June 2003 and which contained places in which explosive atmospheres could occur had to comply with its minimum requirements within 3 years after that date.

The directive contains 3 annexes which concern:

In 2003, the European Commission issues a non-mandatory guide to good practice in implementing the directive. It is being used alongside the directive concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. EU countries should ensure that relevant information is made available to employers and refer them to this guide on good practice.

Directive 2007/30/EC simplified the requirements on reporting to the Commission concerning the implementation of Directive 89/391/EEC and its various individual directives. EU countries now have to prepare a single report every 5 years covering the implementation of all of these directives.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 28 January 2000 and had to become law in the EU countries by 30 June 2003.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

KEY TERMS

Explosive atmosphere: a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 1999/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1999 on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres (15th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 23, 28.1.2000, pp. 57-64)

Successive amendments to Directive 1999/92/EC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast) (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, pp. 309-356)

Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, pp. 1-8)

See consolidated version.

last update 26.11.2018