Explosion safety
An explosion is a violent reaction that causes a rise in temperature or pressure, or both. Its effects on the site usually cause serious financial damage and pose a threat to workers' health and life. Ensuring explosion safety is a basic duty of the employer and results directly from provisions of Polish law.
Current technical knowledge minimizes the risk of explosion and is associated with general safety culture in the workplace. Avoiding occurrence of explosive atmospheres (dust, gas), eliminating ignition sources, and ultimately reducing the effects of an explosion are the basic steps to be taken in a workplace with an explosion risk. However, a proper safety analysis requires specialist knowledge, a meticulous approach, and an analysis of the situation by experts.
“Strażak” offers services which aim is to provide comprehensive safety at worksites.
Explosion risk assessment
The employer must regularly review the protective measures in place and carry out a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with the possibility of an explosive atmosphere occurring in workplaces. This activity, commonly referred to as a “risk assessment,” determines the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere and the sources of ignition, and estimates the magnitude of the expected effects of an explosion. The result is a value of risk described as the level of acceptability. This produces a list of hazards that occur at each stage of the process line.
Legal grounds: Regulation of the Minister of Economy of 8 July 2010 on minimum requirements concerning safety and hygiene at work related to the possibility of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere at the workplace.
Explosion hazard assessment
An explosion hazard assessment may be a part of an explosion risk assessment.
Scope: indication of spaces with explosion hazard, designation of suitable explosion hazard zones indoors and outdoors with the development of graphic classification documentation and indication of factors that may initiate ignition in those zones.
Legal grounds: Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other building structures, and sites.
Explosion Protection Document
An Explosion Prevention Document is a compendium of knowledge and the most important document on explosion safety in the workplace, which should be drawn up for each plant with an explosion risk. This document must indicate the measures that have been taken to ensure maximum explosion safety. It should also include all rules and procedures for safe work for both plant employees and third parties. It is a product of the work of the employer's representatives who are familiar with the technological process and experts in the field of explosion safety. Furthermore, it is a “living” document that should be regularly updated.
Legal grounds: Regulation of the Minister of Economy of 8 July 2010 on minimum requirements concerning safety and hygiene at work related to the possibility of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere at the workplace