Certified environments ATEX (ATmosphères EXplosibles) are areas classified as hazardous due to the atmospheric presence of flammable gases, vapours, dusts or combustible mists. Supervising the safety of workers in ATEX environments is a fundamental task for the employer.
Which environments are located in hazardous areas?
- Gas-fired power stations
- Petrol stations
- Chemical, pharmaceutical and pertrolchemical industries
- Confectionery industries, bakeries, pastry shops and bakeries
- Grain warehouses, agricultural structures, silos or storage towers
- Industrial kitchens (of hotels, canteens, restaurants)
- Underground garages
- Air conditioning systems
The protection of the isolated worker in an ATEX environment
Employees who have to perform tasks within ATEX areas alone, according to the law 81/2008, must be equipped by the employer with a device known as a “man-down” or “dead man”.
In addition to being required by law, this type of device is essential to protect employees working in hazardous areas by sending automatic alarms via GSM, IP-DECT or Wi-Fi networks.
The typology of workers performing such tasks is wide and varied. Here are a few examples:
- Silo maintainers
- Painters in insulated booths
- Petrol stations
- Chemical and petrochemical companies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Laboratory technicians
- Night guards and vigilantes
Twig's ATEX man-down solutions
Twig, a Finnish company specialising in cutting-edge technology solutions for the safety sector, offers devices man-down ATEX, classified to operate in an ATEX environment (zone 1 and 2) and designed to contain the electrical equipment inside, without igniting an explosive atmosphere.
Twig devices are equipped with the advanced man-down detection, capable of triggering an alarm in the event of man down, non-movement, impact and free fall.
- TWIG ONE Ex is an ideal device for noisy environments, thanks to powerful speakers that enable clear two-way communication (2G/3G/4G). A high-intensity vibration system and amplified alarm tones prevent false alarms and help locate the device even in noisy environments.
- TWIG NEO Ex is the most compact alarm system for isolated workers in hazardous and explosive environments. Workers can wear the device with a belt clip, lanyard, wristband or hook, operating in comfort and safety during their activities. This flexibility allows the device to integrate seamlessly into workers' routines, providing protection without interfering.
Twig devices are the best solutions on the ATEX man-down device market. Thanks to their advanced technology, they can send alarms and positions while operating even in areas without GSM mobile coverage.
With Twig it is also possible locating alarms in indoor environments. How?
Using a TWIG device, SRD beacons and the IrTrack platform, it is possible to know exactly where the user is in the event of an alarm, displaying the location in real time on both PCs and smartphones.
- TWIG Beacon Ex SRD locates isolated workers within facilities where GPS signal reception is not optimal. Beacons are placed in strategic areas of the company such as access gates in different zones. They passively record the passage of a Twig device in their vicinity and, if an alarm is triggered, the last two gates crossed by the operator are also sent along with the warning SMS. This makes it possible to identify the area in which the device, and thus the operator, is located.
Read more: ATEX legislation
The ATEX legislation is divided into two main directives.
- Directive 2014/34/EU for the regulation of equipment intended for use in hazardous areas. The directive is aimed at manufacturers of equipment intended for use in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres and manifests itself in the obligation to certify these products.
- Directive 99/92/EC for the safety and health of workers in explosive atmospheres. It applies in explosive environments where certified plant and equipment are put into operation. The directive is therefore aimed at users.
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