Explosive issues

Companies have a responsibility to staff to ensure their safety and to encourage health and safety best practice in the workplace. For those who work in potentially hazardous environments – such as onshore and offshore petrochemical plants and refining plants, petrol stations, distilleries, bakeries, paint spraying plants, flour mills and pharmaceutical manufacturing sites – it is imperative to ensure the maximum safety. Failure to do so could result in a serious accident.

It is therefore an employer’s obligation to ensure that all staff are fully protected and receive the appropriate training. Not adhering to health and safety standards could result in an accident that will end up costing a company a lot of money and its reputation, and also runs the risk of taking a life.

One of the worst incidents to occur in recent years was the explosion at the Piper Alpha production platform in the North Sea, back in 1988. It is believed that the explosion was a consequence of gas leakage from pipework connected to a condensate pump igniting. This led to large oil fires and the subsequent rupturing of a gas pipeline from another installation. In just 22 minutes, the explosion resulted in a fireball that left a trail of disaster in its wake including the loss of 167 lives. A subsequent inspection revealed that a safety valve had been removed for overhaul and maintenance, and the pump itself was undergoing maintenance work.

It is clear to see that working in a hazardous environment carries a large number of risks. The industry has introduced standards to help manage issues that may occur on site, with legislation and regulations in place to help prevent incidents like Piper Alpha.

Directives on relevant subjects are prepared by the European Commission, following consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The principal standards are in the IEC 60079 series of standards. Two European Union Directives, ATEX 95 & 137, address safety where there is a danger from potentially explosive materials. UK legislation includes the Health and Safety at Work Regulations; Electricity at Work Regulations; Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations; Management of Health and Safety Regulations; Personal Protective Equipment Regulations and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations.

An employer’s basic duty is to provide a safe workplace, while the employee’s duties are to exercise diligence and care while undertaking allotted tasks and not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of heath, safety or welfare.

All the directives and legislation require that safe working practices are followed and employers must complete a risk assessment to qualify this. For explosive atmospheres, the risk assessment includes a comprehensive survey of the site followed by preparation of drawings to indicate the potential risk from explosive atmospheres anywhere on site. This area classification drawing enables the proper selection and installation of systems and equipment that will prevent the ignition of potentially explosive gases and dust clouds.

CompEx is the national training and assessment scheme for electrical and instrumentation personnel who work in potentially explosive atmospheres. BP electrical technician Steve Sealey recently attended the CompEx training programme at Aberdeen Skills and Enterprise Training in order to ensure he carries out his role with the appropriate due care and diligence.

Sealey commented: “BP states that instrument and electrical technicians working on electrical equipment on the platform must have the necessary training and competence assurance in place.

“My role involves overseeing electrical services, plant and equipment on the platform and includes everything from lighting to main power, looking after specialist contractors and securing electrical isolations on the platform for people to work on. With such serious safety issues, the appropriate training is imperative.”

The CompEx programme, which is a fully certificated training and assessment scheme, is comprehensive and establishes the essential principles associated with the selection and use of electrical apparatus in potentially explosive atmospheres. After three days of intensive training, candidates are required to demonstrate competence via a series of practical tests, and complete a written multi-choice test paper. Those wishing to attend the course must be experienced electricians with a recognised electrotechnical qualification.

Jointly developed by the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA) and JTL, the training provider to the building engineering services industry, the CompEx programme is accredited by JTL and supported by the HSE. Established since 1994, it is nationally recognised as the acceptable standard for those working in potentially explosive atmospheres, with over 10 000 candidates completing the course so far.

There is a national network of JTL approved assessment centres that provide CompEx training located across the country from Aberdeen to Southampton. No matter where you are in the UK, there is always a centre within reach. The course includes all training and assessments. Upon success, candidates will receive a CompEx certificate of core competence accredited by JTL.

“Attending the CompEx course means I am also better equipped to look for problems and carry out a high level of general maintenance on motors and light fittings. The main benefit, however, is that my enhanced knowledge means enhanced safety for me and my colleagues – undoubtedly the most important thing of all,” said Sealey.

For those who carry out work in hazardous areas without appropriate training, the repercussions could be immense – health and safety should always be the number one priority, but the relevant knowledge is a necessity to safeguard this. New legislation introduced over the last year (ATEX Directives) has made it mandatory for all personnel working in potentially hazardous areas to receive relevant training and to be deemed competent to do so.