ATEX—Explosive Atmospheres

This book details how safety (i.e. the absence of unacceptable risks) is ensured in areas where potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) can arise. The book also offers readers essential information on how to comply with the newest (April 2016) EU legislation when the presence of ATEX cannot be avoided.

By presenting general guidance on issues arising out of the EU ATEX legislation – especially on zone classification, explosion risk assessment, equipment categorization, Ex-marking and related technical/chemical aspects – the book provides equipment manufacturers, responsible employers, and others with the essential knowledge they need to be able to understand the different – and often complicated – aspects of ATEX and to implement the necessary safety precautions. As such, it represents a valuable resource for all those concerned with maintaining high levels of safety in ATEX environments.

Torben Jespen received his Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Trade from Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

He spent 5 years as an Assistant Professor at the DTU’s Institute of Chemical Industry – teaching chemical process and reaction engineering – and 25 years in different positions at the Confederation of Danish Employers, where he provided assistance to Member Organizations and Companies concerning occupational health and safety matters, especially with aspects related to EU legislation.

Torben has over 9 years’ experience as a Technical Adviser at a globally operating Danish engineering company and industrial plant equipment supplier company, and in the course of his 20 years as an advisory expert to the European Commission regarding Product and Workplace health and safety legislation, he served as the chairman of several advisory groups.

He has also held the vice-chair and employer spokesperson positions at the European Agency on Occupational Safety and Health (European OSHA) in Bilbao, Spain, and has been actively involved in several ILO activities, including the elaboration of Conventions, Recommendations and Guidelines, such as those on “occupational safety and health management systems”.