Current trends in the authorization of personnel for activities related to explosive atmospheres

Technological installations used for the processing, handling, or storage of flammable substances, such as flammable gases and vapours, or combustible dusts, may generate explosive atmospheres in their vicinity. Depending on their probability of occurrence and persistence, these explosive atmospheres are split into zones according to specific standards. To ensure an adequate level of operational safety, such installations must be designed, installed, operated, maintained, and repaired by personnel who are qualified and authorized for related activities. At the beginning of the paper is presented the explosion-related risk associated with the activities carried out by the personnel involved is presented, as well as the importance of professional authorization for the domain of risk of explosion locations. The second part highlights the legislative framework and authorization procedures relevant for the Romanian context. The paper ends with the results and discussions from data analysis available from the authorization process in Romania, together with the current trends identified in this field.