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Tukes monitoring project highlights the importance of maintenance in the safety of ATEX premises
In the spring of 2025, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) carried out a monitoring project that looked at safety management in explosive atmospheres, particularly from a maintenance perspective. The review focused on 23 sites in various sectors, including the chemical industry, wood processing and machine shops.
The project found that maintenance and safety practices at many sites were at a good level, but that improvements were needed in particular in the following areas:
- Reconciling maintenance of electrical installations and Ex requirements
- Systematic monitoring and measurement of ventilation performance
- Active monitoring of spills and explosive atmospheres
- Definition and documentation of competence requirements for maintenance tasks
- Strengthening the definition of risk-based maintenance intervals
Areas with potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) are areas where explosive atmospheres may occur due to gases, vapours or dust, for example. In these areas, the design, installation and use of equipment is subject to specific requirements and maintenance plays a key role in ensuring safety.
Tukes recommends that operators develop their maintenance programmes to cover both the technical and organisational means of managing explosion hazards.
Skills are an important part of security
Safety in hazardous areas is not just about equipment and structures - the skills of the workers are key. It is the employer's responsibility to provide workers with sufficient information, instruction and training to enable them to work safely in hazardous places. Training is a legal obligation and must include instructions on safe practices to prevent hazards and accidents in ATEX areas.
Offered by Protect ATEX Basics online training provides employees and contractors with the basic knowledge of safe working in ATEX environments.
The training is flexible and can be completed online and is suitable for anyone working in or responsible for the safety of potentially explosive atmospheres.