Work Safety in Petrochemical Sector: Solutions for ATEX Zones
Risk Factors in Petrochemical and Gas Industry
Work safety in the petrochemical sector requires working under conditions that contain quite high dangers. The gas industry encompasses numerous activities such as technical gas cogeneration, production, storage, transportation, and handling. All areas where these activities are carried out are classified as ATEX zones due to the risk of explosive atmosphere.
Compressed gases pose a serious threat due to high pressure in the cylinders, pipes, and tanks they are in. The presence of flammable, toxic, or chemically unstable gases means that employees are under constant danger. Therefore, the selection of correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is of vital importance.
The gases used have different risk levels according to both their chemical properties (flammable, reactive, toxic) and their physical properties (cryogenic, compressed, liquid, etc.). This situation necessitates that employees are properly equipped against all possibilities.
Protective Clothing Standards and Requirements
Clothing used to minimize the dangers faced by employees in the petrochemical and gas industry must meet certain standards. In this context, three main standards stand out:
- EN ISO 11612: Flame-resistant clothing standard.
- EN 1149-3/5: Standard for garments with antistatic properties.
- EN 13034: Garments providing limited protection against liquid chemicals.
These standards ensure that work clothes are resistant not only to fire but also to electric arc, liquid chemical splashes, and electrostatic charge accumulations.
High Protection, High Performance with BundleTec
Personnel working on oil platforms or in petrochemical facilities need different safety measures depending on their duties, ambient temperature, and seasonal conditions. Therefore, multi-protective fabrics used should offer both comfort and maximum protection.
For personnel working in ATEX zones, it is critical that fabrics are flame-resistant, antistatic, impermeable, and coated with fluorocarbon. Additionally, fabrics used in some areas need to be resistant to welding splashes due to welding operations.
Since some parts of the facilities are open to vehicle traffic or in low-light environments, it is mandatory for employees to wear clothing containing high-visibility fabrics and fluorescent tapes. These garments help prevent accidents by providing optimal visibility both day and night.
BundleTec's Special Approach to the Petrochemical Sector
BundleTec offers special solutions aimed at protecting your employees even in the most challenging conditions by deeply analyzing the sophisticated risk factors in the petrochemical and gas sector. Each project is meticulously evaluated by expert engineers and supported with products that fully comply with relevant norms.
Thanks to our technical fabrics specially developed for your complex safety needs, we both increase safety in the field and support the sustainability of your business. BundleTec protects not only today but also tomorrow with its high-performance products.
If you are looking for pioneering solutions in the field of work safety in the petrochemical sector, trust BundleTec's expertise. Contact us for solutions specific to your business!