Who has to produce an explosion protection document?

Question

Accepted Answer

Every workplace where an explosive atmosphere may occur — LPG filling, paint shops, plants with flour, sugar or wood dust, and battery charging rooms among them. The document shows three things: the zone classification, the suitability of the equipment for that zone, and the protective measures taken. Who is in scope The test is not the type of plant but whether an explosive atmosphere can form. Zones 0, 1 and 2 are defined for gases, vapours and mists, and 20, 21 and 22 for dusts. The numbers describe how often the atmosphere occurs: continuously or for long periods, occasionally, and not expected in normal operation. Declaring an area "non-hazardous" is also a decision, and its reasoning is written down. Matching the equipment Classification alone is not enough; the category of the equipment used in a zone must match that zone. This is where the document most often fails an inspection: the classification exists, but a motor, a light fitting or a hand tool on site does not match by category. European Union and Türkiye The workplace obligation is set in the European Union by Directive 1999/92/EC, and the Turkish counterpart carries the same structure. The equipment side is a separate regime binding the manufacturer. The document therefore joins two sides: workplace classification and equipment conformity.

Obligation	Legal basis	How the page covers it
In discharging the duty to assess explosion risk, the employer must draw up the explosion protection document.	Regulation on the Protection of Workers from Risks of Explosive Atmospheres, art. 10(1)	Who is in scope: it is required from every workplace where an explosive atmosphere can form.
The explosion protection document must show that the explosion risk has been determined and assessed, the measures to be taken, the places classified under Annex 1 and the places where the minimum requirements of Annexes 2 and 3 will apply.	Explosive Atmospheres Regulation, art. 10(2)	The document shows three things: zone classification, equipment suitability for the zone and the protective measures taken.
The employer must classify places where an explosive atmosphere may occur in accordance with Annex 1.	Explosive Atmospheres Regulation, art. 9(1)(a)	Who is in scope: zones 0, 1 and 2 for gas, vapour and mist; zones 20, 21 and 22 for dust.
The employer must ensure that the minimum requirements in Annexes 2 and 3 are applied in the classified zones.	Explosive Atmospheres Regulation, art. 9(1)(b)	Equipment matching: the category of equipment used in a zone must match the zone.
When carrying out the risk assessment, the employer must also take into account the likelihood of explosive atmospheres occurring and persisting and the likelihood of ignition sources being present and becoming effective.	Explosive Atmospheres Regulation, art. 6(1)	The criterion is not the type of facility but whether an explosive atmosphere can form.

Obligation	Legal basis	How the page covers it
In carrying out the obligations laid down in Article 4, the employer shall ensure that a document, referred to as the explosion protection document, is drawn up and kept up to date.	Directive 1999/92/EC, art. 8	European Union and Türkiye: the workplace duty is regulated by Directive 1999/92/EC.
The document shall demonstrate in particular that explosion risks have been determined and assessed, the places classified into zones under Annex I, the places where the Annex II minimum requirements apply and the arrangements for safe use of work equipment; it shall be drawn up before work commences and revised on significant change.	Directive 1999/92/EC, art. 8, second and third paragraphs	The document brings two sides together: workplace classification and equipment conformity.
The employer shall classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones in accordance with Annex I.	Directive 1999/92/EC, art. 7(1)	Treating an area as outside any zone is also a decision, and its rationale is written down.
The employer shall ensure that the minimum requirements laid down in Annex II are applied to the places covered by paragraph 1.	Directive 1999/92/EC, art. 7(2)	Equipment matching: this is where the document most often fails inspection.
The employer shall assess the specific risks arising from explosive atmospheres, taking account of the likelihood that they will occur and persist, the likelihood that ignition sources will be present and become active, the installations, substances and processes and their interactions, and the scale of the anticipated effects.	Directive 1999/92/EC, art. 4(1)	The criterion is not the type of facility but whether an explosive atmosphere can form.

Who has to produce an explosion protection document?

Who is in scope

Matching the equipment

European Union and Türkiye

Legal basis

Türkiye — obligations and their legal basis

European Union — obligations and their legal basis

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