The Implementation Of Best Practices In Sonatrach With Regard To Explosive Atmospheres Based On Atex Directives

There have been so many spectacular examples of accidents when working in hazardous areas which have resulted in explosions and fires causing the loss of lives, destruction of properties and public image of companies suffers a lot. In order to enhance health and safety standards in the European industry, the EU issued two directives called Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) and Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX 137). The first one places duties on manufacturers, suppliers...with regard to the design, construction and manufacturing processes of equipment and protective systems whereas the latter places duties on employers to protect workers from explosive atmospheres by risk assessing areas where these atmospheres may arise, preventing their formation, avoiding ignition sources and mitigating the detrimental effects of possible explosions. SONATRACH as a group does not have its own directive to address such issues. SONATRACH is attempting to implement a health and safety management system. The present study introduces the best practices with regard to explosive atmospheres. A review of practices worldwide showed that ATEX directive constitute a major improvement. The ATEX directive requirements were then applied to sub-unit in an LNG plant.. A further risk assessment for unwanted catastrophic accident and societal risk was also carried out.