HX-E - Hazardous Areas and ATEX Awareness for Technical and Non-Technical Staff

For all personnel associated with Hazardous Areas, whether technically trained or not, to provide an overview of the requirements placed on industry in this specialist field and to introduce the key terminology that should be known to both users and suppliers within the Explosion Protection industry.

As sensible human beings, we are educated to look out for danger in all forms and try to protect ourselves and our investments from such dangers. 
We do this by determining the extent of the threat posed and by taking appropriate precautions. 
The term, ‘Hazard’, is often used to refer to a particular situation, whereas the term, ‘Risk’, involves the chance of the occurrence.  
There are two types of hazards:- 
Natural 
Examples are blizzards, floods, earth quakes, heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, lightning etc. 
Man-made  
Examples are electric shock, industrial explosions and fires, accidents, etc 
Natural hazards cannot be completely avoided but their effects can be mitigated by understanding the danger and devising, where possible, warning systems, precautionary measures and other techniques to manage the risk posed. 
Man-made hazards can be avoided by calling upon the knowledge of scientific research, technical know-how, previous experience, investigation of prior disasters and accidents, performing risk assessment techniques and implementing technical and organisation measures. The management of risk is endemic in our Laws.