Understanding ATEX - Prevention Of Explosions In The Workplace

ATEX is a European directive; it came into force in 2003 to ensure that companies that work with potentially explosive materials have adequate safety measures to prevent fire and explosion. Amazingly, industry analysts suggest that less than half of all companies that are required to abide by the ATEX directive even know what it is.

It is not just chemical or arms manufacturers either that should be aware of ATEX but also industries like food manufacturing as most powdered foods including custard, flour, sugar, coffee and dried milk all has the potential to cause explosions.

ATEX (137) recognises three zones for both dust and vapour explosions. For dust, zone 20 is the highest risk zone where an explosive cloud of dust could potentially ignite at any time, whilst zone 21 has less potential for explosions and zone 22 is the least likely. For vapours the zones are 0, 1 and 2 with zone 0 having the most potential for an explosion.

All companies that possibly have an area that is governed by a zone needs to be risk assessed and any equipment that falls short of the directive's requirement should be replaced.

Whilst most companies may be quite aware of the potential explosive nature of their environments (the material safety data sheet MSDS should have been issued with any potentially hazardous material) many companies are unaware of the standards equipment needs to face when operating in certain zones, particularly in the food industry where it is not uncommon for a lot of older equipment to still be in use.

Also, a lot of factories that have recently computerised their procedures or upgraded their IT may be unaware of the potential risks their PCs may cause.

Computers of course are full of circuit boards that can easily short (particularly in dusty areas where dust itself can settle between contacts) and create a spark and if there happens to be a cloud of dust suddenly evacuated from a particular machine or process at that time; then boom!

In environments identified as ATEX zones 0, 1, 20 and 21, then computers need to be replaced by intrinsically safe or air-purged systems, however even in environments where an explosion is not that likely, such as zone 2, a coincidental spark from a PC could end not just your production line but possibly somebody's life too.

These machines could of course be replaced too but many companies feel the expense for what is really only a slight risk is not justified, despite what the ATEX directive orders.

However, there are alternatives. Speciality industrial PC enclosures that can house computers, monitors, printers and all peripheries, are available that meet requirements of ATEX Zone 2.

Apart from being a lot cheaper than specifically designed systems, these computer enclosures have the add advantage of allowing you to keep you existing IT and replace it whenever you like whilst keeping the same enclosure.

ATEX has only been in force for the last 5 years (and only two for equipment in use before 2003) but it is only a matter of time before the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) cracks down and starts prosecuting companies for failing to adhere to the directive. Although a great big fine is probably preferable to your production line being blown apart due to faulty electrical equipment!

Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the industrial computer industry helping to develop industrial computer enclosures and protection for all environments. Please visit us for more information about industrial pc solutions.

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Electrical Discharge Machining Tooling - Why You Need It

Using electrical discharge machining tooling makes perfect sense any way you look at it; so why would any plastic injection mold making company not use it?

There are only two reasons, and one is almost impossible.

1. 
   The first is that they don't know how much time and money they will save.
2. 
   The second is that they can't afford to buy it. This might be true if you are starting out on a shoestring budget.

   
   

How did EDM tooling develop?

In the old days of electrical discharge machining, there was no tooling available. Mold makers had to invent their own and they came up with some very clever methods of holding electrodes. But gradually things developed into a systematic approach that could be more universal in nature and would be much simpler to use by anyone.

A Swedish company, System 3R was one of the first companies to dramatically change the way EDM operators held their graphite and copper electrodes. Using some very basic principles, namely that you need to register you electrode in 3 reference planes: X,Y, and Z from the Cartesian Coordinate system, they built very high quality holders for the EDM industry.

This was a quantum leap forward compared to the old Vee blocks, angle plates and jury-rigged systems of the past. 3R made sense, totally. It was rather expensive though, and most shops bought a little starter kit and began experimenting with it.

Soon, almost any American mold making shop had some kind of electrode holding system in place. There are systems from Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and probably other countries as well. All of these systems are very good and any company would be wise to invest in one.

Why would a mold making company still be in the dark ages?

Like a lot of things, people don't like change. Plus, the ones holding the purse strings usually are not the ones who have to use the antiquated electrode holding system, so they don't have any idea how difficult it is to locate multiple electrodes over a workpiece all day long. Electrical discharge machining is difficult enough, why not make it easier and more reliable?

Perhaps some simple electrodes that are always the same size, such the pre-ground blanks that are accurately sized don't require a purchased system. Yet even these require an accurately made set of holders made in-house.

Another reason some shops still use the old method of stick electrodes is because their labor is so cheap that they can afford to pay somebody to manually align and locate all their electrodes in the EDM machine. Places like China and Thailand fall into this category.

Your mold making operation needs EDM holders

If you are serious about plastic injection mold making, you will need to investigate electrode holders. In the long run you will save many, many hours and dollars. Not only that, but you will not need such a highly skilled toolmaker to make the set-ups, let the tooling do the repetitive work and free up your skilled help to do what no machine can do! Bring your electrical discharge machining up to date and use the tooling the way it is designed! Old habits die hard.

Randy Hough
Plastic Injection Mold Maker
http://www.global-plastic-injection-molding.com

"You know Dad, I've been thinkin', one is a lot more than zero!" my son, Thomas, age 5.

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Construction Zone Safety - 4 Ways To Secure A Safe Construction Site

Around the clock, in various climates, in all sorts of weather, construction workers have to fight more than just the elements. Every year hundreds of men are killed and thousands more are injured doing construction work, making it one of the most dangerous jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. [1] At any given construction zone, several steps must be taken according to OSHA standards and further measures are available to create a more cautious and safe environment for construction workers.

Barrier Fence

One of the most effective ways to prevent accidents and injuries on the job site is to prevent people from entering dangerous areas. Barrier fencing is the most effective way to stop unauthorized workers or bystanders from entering a dangerous area. During most sorts of building projects, several areas will pose potential danger for individuals. Any place that falling objects might land should be fenced off. Excavation and foundations can also be dangerous for people who are unaware of their surroundings or of the potential for collapses. In fact, fences are often placed where there are steep drops and hills as they pose a continual threat for workers and vehicles.

Barrier fence can be acquired in traditional construction orange or black. Several different qualities of fencing are offered depending on budget and need. Make sure you get a fence that is made of good synthetic material that is UV resistant. In general, barrier fencing is one of the most effective and economic ways to prevent accidents and injuries at construction sites.

Safety Nets

Building construction almost always involves the danger of falling debris. To solve this problem, debris netting has been produced to wrap around the building or scaffolding. The square mesh of these nets is only 3/8" which will catch any substantial debris. The lightweight nature of this netting makes it simple to install and move, while remaining strong and sturdy. Like the fencing, debris nets come in orange and black and are UV resistant. If fire is a concern, fire retardant nets are also available.

Another type of debris netting actually extends out from the building on poles and wires. These can be applied at alternate levels of a building as needed. The primary benefit of these nets is the protection of workers at the ground level from any falling objects. This application is not typically used when scaffolding is involved. Heavy-duty nets can be utilized when larger or heavier materials are being used.

Installing these nets will cut down on costs of insurance, which could otherwise result in high costs with all of the falling objects at construction sites.

Another type of safety net that particularly assists the morale of the workers themselves is personnel netting. Debris nets can extend both up and under areas of falling debris, but personnel netting extends under open areas to prevent injury to any falling workers. The idea behind these nets is the familiar principle behind fall-nets for trapeze artists. With this safety measure in place, workers will be free to do quality work with the assurance of protection should anything go wrong.

Safety Harness

Another way to protect workers on the job is to equip them with safety harnesses. For additional security, harnesses can work together with personnel nets rather than replace them. Many different kinds of harnesses are made for different jobs. Each of them provides the same basic benefits with additional provisions for maneuverability or attachments. Always be sure to check the parts of the harness because they are all important to the strength of the device. If you notice any wear or signs of fatigue on the straps or D-rings, the integrity of the equipment may be compromised and should be replaced.

Safety Signs

One of the most obvious ways to prevent accidents and injuries is to place safety and warning signs in critical areas at the construction site. Similar to barrier nets, signs will inform people of the potential danger and keep unauthorized individuals out of harm's way. Many of these signs are required by OSHA, but custom signs can also be ordered with more specific warnings.

Because of the nature of the work, construction will always have potential danger involved. One century ago, men worked on the high steel while lines of men waited at the bottom to replace falling workers. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Great strides have been made to secure the construction zone and create a safe environment where workers can perform their jobs. Secure construction sites boost the morale of the workers, which creates more production and better quality work, not to mention lower insurance costs. Securing the construction zone has many benefits that will help take it off the list of most dangerous jobs and enhance the business itself.

Paul Galla, President

[1] http://menstuff.org/issues/byissue/dangerousjobs.htm

http://www.industrial-rigging.com

Paul Galla, President U.S. Fence http://www.us-fence.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Galla