Challenges of Drum Handling in ATEX Environments

Increased Risks Upon Opening Drums

Opening drums compromises the sealed environment, allowing gases, vapours, and dust to escape and mix with the surrounding air. This mixture can easily ignite from various ignition sources, necessitating extreme caution from operators to mitigate risks effectively.

• Sparks from Electrical Equipment: Devices like electrical switches, solenoids, and plug sockets can emit sparks that may ignite flammable atmospheres.

• Hot Surfaces: Engine exhausts and machinery heating elements can reach temperatures high enough to ignite gases and vapours.

• Static Electricity Discharge: Sparks can also originate from static charges accumulated on equipment isolated from the ground, particularly when in motion.

• Thermic Strikes: Collisions and impacts, such as a forklift truck colliding with an immovable steel pillar, could create sparks sufficient to ignite explosive mixtures.

• Keeping Drums Sealed: Keep hazardous materials in air-tight drums whenever not in use to minimise the creation of flammable atmospheres.

• Removing Electrical Equipment: Remove or upgrade electrical equipment in the vicinity to ATEX-certified models to eliminate potential ignition sources.

• Removing Sources of Heat: Ideally, eliminate or minimise heat sources in the area. Segregating hot processes from drum handling operations can further reduce risks.

• Ventilating the Space: Ensure robust ventilation to dilute flammable vapours emanating from open containers, thereby reducing the risk of ignition.

• Using ATEX Certified Equipment: Utilise tools and equipment that are certified as ATEX, that have been designed to prevent the introduction of ignition sources into hazardous areas.