Ordinance on explosive atmospheres
The Regulation of the Federal Minister of Economics and Labor on the protection of workers / inside in front of explosive atmospheres, and with the construction workers Protection Ordinance and the working medium are amended (Regulation explosive atmospheres - VEXAT) is entered into force on 1 August 2004 Austrian Regulation on the handling of certain explosive substances at workplaces, on construction sites and external workplaces within the meaning of the ASchG .
The ordinance applies to every company that produces, processes, processes, stores, provides or transports explosive gases , vapors , mists or dusts mixed with air in workplaces .
The following trades or occupational groups can typically be affected: bakers, chemical trades, painters, automotive technicians, plastics processors, paint manufacturers, metal grinders, millers, trade (with paints, varnishes, chemicals, wood), petrol stations, liquefied gas storage, hazardous goods storage, transport, hospitals and Wood processing companies (e.g. cabinet makers)
The VEXAT regulation contains in particular:
- the obligation to determine, assess and document the explosion hazards
- Information, instruction and approval for work
- Tests, measurements, risk analysis and accident prevention
- the primary, secondary and tertiary explosion protection measures
- the requirements for electrical systems and objects in potentially explosive areas
In the area of dust explosions, the grain size is an important figure. It is currently assumed that dust particles smaller than 500 µm can form an explosive dust cloud. Above all, the dust deposits must also be taken into account. A dust layer of a few mm can cause an explosion if it is swirled up in connection with an ignition source (e.g. sparks or hot surfaces).
