According to the Labor Inspectorate, 400,000 people in the Netherlands work in an environment where there is a possible explosion hazard. Of these, only 10% are trained. Remy Dijksterhuis, Senior Product Manager of ROVC Technical Training, recognizes the problem and is starting an awareness campaign this year. And in this they are pulling together with KoninkliRoyal PBNA.

Explosion safety is not yet many companies not yet enough on the radar? "Yes, indeed. I often see that reflected. That's partly because of the arbo-legislation.", explains Remy explains. "Which is unfortunately not very concrete. They give a number of guidelines with a description attached, based on European agreements, but there is no specific certificate attached to it. That creates unclear and non-committal."

High success rate

"Bed companies also don't always realize that they have created a work environment where explosion hazards are a real problem. I had a great example on hand recently. A factory where sugar is processed. Why would there be a risk of explosion there? To a layman, that sounds very strange. But the fine dust that is released is really dangerous. Just think of the bag of powdered milk you used to hold over a candle which created a nice stinging flame."

"You see the same thing in the furniture industry, for example. In a sawmill comes a lot of dust is released. Usually the extraction is well set up, and satisfy the machinesmeet all the requirements, but the people on the shop floor have no idea of the possiblee faren. They have thus had no training on that either. And soso there are many. There is as far as ROVC is concerned at least a proper education is desired. Often dhe larger companies do well done, but the smaller ones lag behind."

Awareness is low

"A lot goes right, of course. That's the other side of the story. So awareness of explosion hazards remains low as a result. From ROVC we want to steer on this. Every combustible mixture in the form of gas, vapor or solid, can lead to an explosion. It's as simple as that. Therefore, this year we are launching an awarenesscampaign and try to bring it to people's attention as much as possible. So that technical Holland will work more safely."

" Af occasionally we collaborate with PBNA, for example to give presentations. This year, we aim to structure our training more by functions and roles. For example, what training does a mechanic need? PBNA is an invaluable sparring partner in this process to ensure that it best matches the exam."

We really pull together

"For example, we do a lot of official certifications with PBNA. Explosion safety is part of that, we provide the ATEX courses and PBNA completes them with ATEX exams and IECEx exams. That collaboration just works well. There are very short lines of communication. We really pull together, I feel."

"I don't get to see the exam questions, of course, maar we consultgen also sometimes discuss the content. An example? Well, candidates sometimes indicate, often when they have failed, that the exam did not match the material. Then I conclave with PBNA to see if that is correct. Then we discuss, for example, the structure of the course. Often often a courseimprovement from that."

Unique customization

"We also organize customized in-company courses for our clients. PBNA provides customized exams for that with a customized diploma. They also offer that flexibility and service. I don't see that with other providers. That is truly unique!"