Product category:
Electrostatics, lightning and earthing
News Release from: Newson Gale | Subject: 2008 Handbook
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 June 2008
Static 'Best Practice' makes business
sense!
How to avoid the real cost of non-compliance in the hazardous area control of Static Electricity: 'Best Practice' makes sound business sense!
The overall cost of non-compliance in controlling electrostatic hazards can stretch far beyond any potential "savings" achieved by ignoring the risk of electrostatic ignitions or using non-compliant static control protection methods More often than not, static caused fires and explosions result in expensive production downtime, legal and insurance costs related to any personnel injuries or fatalities, and damage to company property
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 24 Mar 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Static earthing equipment now ATEX approved
The entire Cenelectrex range of static grounding and bonding equipment for controlling electrostatics in industrial hazardous atmospheres is now approved to the forthcoming ATEX directives
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The Bond-Rite is a unique ATEX approved intrinsically safe self-testing static grounding clamp developed to enable bonding connections to be continuously checked in potentially explosive atmospheres
In numerous cases static caused fires have led to the pollution of the local environment resulting in the loss of public goodwill and the payment of heavy fines imposed by local government.
Under ATEX, the European Union legislation which governs the safety of personnel working in hazardous atmospheres, everybody from suppliers to company directors are open to criminal prosecution if a court determines that adequate Best Practice procedures and equipment have not been used to protect workers.
As more attention is paid to managing ignition risks in hazardous areas, published data by leading companies show that incendive spark discharges are a significant source of accidents in bulk storage handling incidents (loss of containment and overfilling are listed as the primary sources) and are second to mechanical sparks in dust cloud explosions.
Further reading
Intrinsically safe ground clamp has power supply
The new mains powered Bond-Rite Remote EP provides a reliable and economical way to enable static bonding connections to be continuously checked and verified in flammable atmospheres
Stainless steel vessels on show
For the first time ever at a UK exhibition, Newson Gale will display a dedicated stand showing a range of CE, ASME and UN stainless steel pressure vessels at the new Total Exhibition
Hazardous area operators should be capable of demonstrating to the relevant authorities that a comprehensive static risk audit has been conducted and, where appropriate, can demonstrate evidence of using fit for purpose static control equipment.
The two main Best Practice standards hazardous area operators can work to are:.
* Cenelec CLC/TR:50404 (2003): Code of practice for control of undesirable static electricity (Cenelec committee CLC/TC 31).
* NFPA 77 (2007): Recommended Practice on Static Electricity, (National Fire Protection Association).
The standards provide information on how static is generated, the types of processes that can be susceptible to electrostatic hazards and, most importantly, what Best Practice measures can be put in place to ensure static electricity is safely controlled.
Implementation of the standards provides hazardous area operators with a means of demonstrating Best Practice compliance to occupational Health and Safety regulators.
The FREE and updated 2008 Earthing and Bonding Applications Handbook provides helpful illustrations of the Best Practice solutions recommended in the Cenelec and NFPA standards. Request a free brochure from Newson Gale ...
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