Overview
SIST EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2017/A1:2018 is a key international standard developed for the safety of equipment and components used in explosive atmospheres within underground mines. Published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST), this standard is identical to EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2016/A1:2018 and aligns closely with the requirements of ISO/IEC 80079-38:2016. Its primary focus is on providing guidelines that ensure the safe design, selection, and use of electrical and non-electrical equipment in environments where there is a risk of explosion due to flammable gases or dusts, particularly in underground mining operations.
This amendment, effective since May 2018, incorporates a new Annex ZA to support conformity with European directives related to explosive atmospheres and machinery, notably Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) and Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery Directive).
Key Topics
- Scope and Application: Guidance for equipment and components intended for use in potentially explosive underground mine atmospheres.
- Conformity with EU Law: Alignment with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU on equipment for explosive atmospheres, and Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.
- Safety Principles: General and specific safety requirements, including equipment marking, instructions for use, and limitations for operation in hazardous environments.
- Presumption of Conformity: Annex ZA and Annex ZB detail how compliance with the standard provides a presumption of conformity with relevant directives when cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
- Integration with Other Standards: Requirements for applying this standard together with related standards such as EN ISO 80079-36 and EN 60079-0 for comprehensive safety coverage.
Applications
This standard is essential for:
- Mine Operators and Equipment Manufacturers: Ensuring all machinery and components installed in underground mines comply with European safety requirements for explosive atmospheres.
- Compliance Assessment: Providing a recognized pathway for declaring conformity to ATEX and Machinery Directives, facilitating easier CE marking and market access within the EU and EFTA.
- Risk Management Professionals: Supporting robust explosion prevention and protection strategies by adopting validated safety measures for equipment in explosive atmospheres.
- Technical Auditors and Inspectors: Offering clear criteria to assess whether underground mine equipment meets applicable EU law and industry best practices.
- Policy Makers and Standards Bodies: Serving as a reference point for updating national legislation or harmonizing requirements across jurisdictions.
Related Standards
To ensure comprehensive safety and regulatory compliance, the following related standards should also be considered:
- EN ISO 80079-36 - Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres - Basic method and requirements
- EN 60079-0 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 0: Equipment - General requirements
- EN ISO/IEC 80079-39 - Equipment and components for use in explosive atmospheres not covered specifically by other parts of the 80079 series
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) - Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
- Directive 2006/42/EC - Machinery Directive
By following SIST EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2017/A1:2018, stakeholders in the mining sector can achieve higher safety standards, reduce accident risks in hazardous environments, and demonstrate legal compliance for products within the European market. For the latest updates or citation status, users should refer to the Official Journal of the European Union.
