A mixture of combustible substances in the form of gas, vapour, dust or fibres with air, under atmospheric conditions in which – after ignition – combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.
§ 5 of the Polish Regulation of the Minister of Economy dated 8 July 2010 and concerning the Minimum Occupational Health and Safety Requirements for the Potential of Explosive Atmosphere at Workplaces (Dz.U. 2010.137.931; ATEX 137) states in Section 4.4:
The employer shall perform a comprehensive assessment of the (explosion) risks related to the potential of an explosive atmosphere to form by considering:
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The probability and duration of presence of an explosive atmosphere;
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The probability of ignition sources to occur and become active;
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The installations in operation, the substances and mixtures used, and the processes carried out;
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The magnitude of the foreseeable consequences of an explosion.