Non-sparking Tools: Safety Considerations
According to Directive 1999/92/EC, steel tools are considered to be a source of ignition and therefore unsafe for use in the presence of explosive atmospheres. In such environments, non-sparking tools must be used. However, based on our experience in the industry worldwide, there are still many purchasing, maintenance, and even safety professionals who are not fully familiar with what non-sparking tools are and what the key criteria are for use when purchasing or using such tools. The most common non-sparking alloys are aluminum - bronze (Al-Bron) and copper - beryllium (Cu-Be), but what criteria should be followed when choosing one of these options? Explosion-proof Durable Hand Tools Aluminum Bronze Edging Spade Type of gas in the environment Despite its name, non-sparking tools do produce sparks (all metals produce sparks when they rub against each other). The difference between non-sparking too...