Aspects regarding explosion risk assessment

Mihaela Părăian,Lucian Moldovan,Sorin Burian,Mihai Magyari,I Bondrea,M Inţă,C Simion

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201712111016

Abstract

Explosive risk occurs in all activities involving flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts which, in mixture with air, can generate an explosive atmosphere. As explosions can cause human losses and huge material damage, the assessment of the explosion risk and the establishment of appropriate measures to reduce it to acceptable levels according to the standards and standards in force is of particular importance for the safety and health of people and goods.There is no yet a recognized method of assessing the explosion risk, but regardless of the applied method, the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere occurrence has to be determined, together with the occurrence of an efficient ignition source and the magnitude of foreseeable consequences. In assessment processes, consequences analysis has a secondary importance since it’s likely that explosions would always involve considerable damage, starting from important material damages and up to human damages that could lead to death.The purpose of the work is to highlight the important principles and elements to be taken into account for a specific risk assessment. An essential element in assessing the risk of explosion in workplaces where explosive atmospheres may occur is technical installations and personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be designed, manufactured, installed and maintained so that they cannot generate a source of ignition. Explosion prevention and protection requirements are governed by specific norms and standards, and a main part of the explosion risk assessment is related to the assessment of the compliance of the equipment / installation with these requirements.

Highlights

An essential element in assessing the risk of explosion in workplaces where explosive atmospheres may occur are facilities which must be designed, installed and maintained so as to keep flammable substances in the enclosed site to prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres around them and not to generate sources of ignition
Explosion risk identification and assessment In conformity with the requirements of the European Directive 1999/92/CE, harmonized in Romanian legislation by Government Decision no. 1058 of 9th August 2006 [3], regarding the minimum requirements for improving health safety and protection of workers which can be exposed to risks due to explosive atmospheres, the employer responsible for the workplace, according to legislation, shall coordinate application of all precautions related to workers health and safety and he has to declare in the document regarding explosion protection, the purpose of coordination. the implemented measures and procedures that had bed adopted
Consequences analysis has a secondary importance since it's likely that explosions would always involve considerable damage, starting from important material damages and up to human damages that could lead to death

Summary

Introduction

An essential element in assessing the risk of explosion in workplaces where explosive atmospheres may occur are facilities which must be designed, installed and maintained so as to keep flammable substances in the enclosed site to prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres around them and not to generate sources of ignition. When setting out the appropriate technical and organizing measures to ensure workers safety and health by the employer, several fundamental principles have to be taken into consideration, as the following ones: preventing formation of explosive atmospheres, avoiding ignition of explosive atmospheres and limiting the damaging effects of explosions. Methods for assessment of explosion risks The concept of explosion risk consists of two elements: firstly, the probability that an explosion will occur (explosion sensitivity); and secondly, the adverse effects resulting from the occurrence of an explosion (explosion severity). The magnitude of these measures will be lower if the risk level C usually organizational risk reduction measures will suffice

Risk assessment

Explosion protection - the actors

Conclusion

SR EN 1127-1