Source: www.iecex.com
It is necessary that personnel working in explosive atmospheres are competent. The potential for accidents in explosive atmospheres is increased if personnel are not competent. The need for competence is included in many legal documents (legislation), but is often not clearly defined. Competence includes the ability to carry out specific tasks versus prescribed general requirements specified in regulations, standards and installation procedures.
Competence depends on knowledge, skill, experience and training. Measurement of competence is a difficult task and requires specific assessment methods which have been developed by the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence Scheme. Competence evolves with years and may deteriorate, so continued training and assessment is necessary.
The IECEx Personnel Competency Scheme includes twelve “Units of Competency” that addresses the specializations required for each unit.
Scope of certification:
Unit Ex 000 Basic knowledge and awareness to enter a site that includes a classified
hazardous area.
Unit Ex 001 Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 002 Perform classification of hazardous areas
Unit Ex 003 Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems
Unit Ex 004 Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 005 Overhaul and repair of explosion-protected equipment
Unit Ex 006 Test electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 007 Perform visual and close inspection of electrical installations in or
associated with explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 008 Perform detailed inspection of electrical installations in or associated with
explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 009 Design electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 010 Perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with
explosive atmospheres
Unit Ex 011 – Basic knowledge of the safety of hydrogen systems
At present the above Units of Competence are focused on electrical equipment for hazardous
areas however as ISO/IEC Standards are available for non-electrical equipment it is likely that
additional Units of Competence will be added to include these requirements.