3oTrimestre14 | PROTECCIÓN LABORAL 80 Updated products Climax harnesses for explosive atmospheres Harness for ATEX applications Although it is a specific equipment for use in ATEX environments, it is explicitly excluded from the scope of Directive 94/9/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protec- tive systems intended for use in potential- ly explosive atmospheres, as this equip- ment is covered by Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment PPE. Thus, according to the document "Guide- lines for the application of Council Directive 94/9/EC of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, may 2010, “the devices covered by Direc- tive 94/9/EC on personal protective equipment (PPE) are specifically exclud- ed from the Directive 94/9/EC”. However, this harness has been designed and manufactured in such way that they prevent the occurrence in themselves of any electrical or electro- static arcs or sparks, or caused by a hit, which can ignite an explosive mixture. It is therefore suitable for use in poten- tially explosive atmospheres zone 1 or zone 21, due to the presence of flamma- ble gases or vapors classified as IIA or IIB or combustible dusts, as well as in areas classified as zone 2 or zone 22 where the presence of an explosive atmosphere is less likely. This harness, made of 45 mm polyester tape, has two anchorage anti-fall points, a dorsal and a frontal one. The metal parts are of S45C carbon steel, with a mass content lower than 7.5% of magne- sium in its composition. In addition, all conductive parts are very small (less than 10pF capacitance) and, since they are not subject to electrostatic charge high generating processes, they do not require an earth connection. It is also available the 21-C ATEX Plus model, an item with the same features as the previous one, but incorporating legs and back which are padded. In all workplaces there are always dangers that threaten the integrity of the workers. One of these hazards are explosive atmos- pheres, a situation that is produced by a mixture of air with flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, com- bustion can spread to unburned mixture. To prevent this risk, the European Union created the ATEX directive, describing what type of equipment and environ- ment is allowed to work in an explosive atmosphere. The term ATEX comes from the French directive 94/9 Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives. ATEX defines various risk areas, which are clas- sified according to frequency that explo- sive atmospheres occur and its duration. Areas containing flammable gases or vapors At any time they can give rise to explo- sive atmospheres. It is a risk associated, for example, to areas of transfer of explosives liquids, painting cabins, sol- vents stores, etc. The classification includes: -Zone 0. A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is present continu- ously or for an extended period of time, or frequently. -Zone 1. Workspace in which is likely, under normal operating conditions, the formation of an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flam- mable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist. -Zone 2. Workspace in which is unlikely, under normal operating conditions, the formation of an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flam- mable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist, or, in the case if it does occur, the explosive atmosphere only stays for short periods of time. Places with combustible dust As an example, we can mention grain silos, mills, coal treatment plants, fertilizer plants, etc. Within this class are distinguished: -Zone 20. Workspace in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of com- bustible dust in air is present continuously, or for a prolonged period of time, or fre- quently. -Zone 21. Workspace in which is likely the occasional formation, under normal operat- ing conditions, of an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air. -Zone 22. Workspace in which is unlikely, under normal operating conditions, the for- mation of an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in the air or that if it does occur, the explosive atmosphere only stays for short periods of time. For such hazardous environments with explosion risk, Productos Climax has designed the specific model of body harness 21-C ATEX. 51