Working in hazardous areas isn’t just about having the right equipment, it’s about having the right people with the right skills.
In industries where flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts may be present, safety depends on more than installing certified Ex equipment.
The people who design, specify, install, inspect, maintain and manage that equipment must also be competent to carry out their responsibilities safely and effectively.
That’s why Ex competency planning is such an important part of managing hazardous areas.
At NMi ExVeritas, we help organisations around the world develop and maintain Ex competency through industry-leading CompEx and specialist hazardous area training.
In this guide, we explain what Ex competency means, why it matters, and how organisations can build a practical competency framework for their teams.
What is Ex Competency?
Simply put, Ex competency is the ability to perform a specific task safely and correctly in a potentially explosive atmosphere.
It’s important to understand that competency is about far more than attending a training course or obtaining a certificate. While training provides knowledge and skills, true competence is demonstrated through a combination of:
- Training and assessment
- Practical experience
- Technical knowledge
- Understanding workplace procedures
- Ongoing professional development
In the UK, the requirement for competence is supported by the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). These regulations require employers to identify risks, classify hazardous areas and ensure employees receive suitable information, instruction and training.
Ultimately, effective Ex competency planning helps ensure the right person carries out the right task with the right level of competence.
How Do You Plan for Ex Competency?
Developing an effective competency programme starts with understanding the work that needs to be carried out and the level of expertise required to do it safely.
A structured approach can be broken down into five key steps.
1. Start with the Task, Not the Training Course
A common mistake is to begin by looking for training courses before identifying the skills actually required.
Instead, start by listing the Ex-related activities your organisation performs. These may include:
- Managing DSEAR compliance
- Conducting risk assessments
- Hazardous area classification
- Equipment selection and design
- Installation and commissioning
- Inspection, maintenance and repair
- Contractor management
- Supervising Ex-related work
Once you have identified these activities, you can determine who is responsible for carrying them out and what level of competency is needed.
2. Build an Ex-Competency Matrix
An Ex-competency matrix is a simple but powerful tool that links job roles to responsibilities and required competencies.
Depending on your organisation’s needs, the matrix may distinguish between:
- Gas/vapour and dust hazards
- Electrical and non-electrical equipment
- Different Ex protection concepts
- Initial and periodic inspections
- Basic, close and detailed inspections
- Practitioner, designer and responsible person roles
A competency matrix provides a clear overview of who needs which skills and helps identify any competency gaps.
3. Recognise Different Levels of Competency
Not everyone requires the same level of Ex knowledge.
An electrician carrying out inspections needs very different competency requirements from a manager overseeing compliance activities. A successful competency framework should therefore define different levels of expertise.
Ex Awareness
Suitable for anyone who works in or visits hazardous areas and needs a basic understanding of explosive atmospheres and associated risks.
Ex Foundation
Designed for supervisors, engineers and other personnel who need a broader understanding of hazardous area principles, but who are not directly carrying out Ex installation or inspection work.
Ex Practitioner
For personnel undertaking hands-on Ex activities such as installation, inspection, maintenance and repair.
Responsible Person
For those responsible for managing Ex compliance, work activities, inspection programmes and competency assurance within the organisation.
Design Competency
For engineers involved in the design, specification and selection of equipment and systems intended for hazardous areas.
4. Identify the Right Training
Once competency requirements have been established, appropriate training can be selected to support individuals in developing the necessary knowledge and skills.
CompEx is widely recognised as the international benchmark for competency in hazardous areas, with the CompEx Competency Framework (CCF) providing a structured pathway for development.
At NMi ExVeritas, we deliver a comprehensive range of CompEx and specialist Ex training courses, both at our dedicated training centres and at client locations worldwide.
Our training portfolio includes:
CompEx Awareness
Designed for non-technical personnel who work in or around hazardous areas.
CompEx Foundation
Provides a broad understanding of hazardous areas and explosion protection principles.
CompEx Foundation Plus
Combines theoretical knowledge with practical exposure to Ex equipment and installations.
CompEx Ex01-Ex04
For electrical and instrumentation personnel who install, inspect and maintain equipment in gas and vapour hazardous areas.
CompEx Ex01-Ex04 Refresher
For certified personnel who need to renew existing competency before certification expires.
CompEx Ex05-Ex06
For individuals working with equipment in combustible dust hazardous areas.
CompEx Ex11 Mechanical
For mechanical engineers and technicians responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining mechanical Ex equipment.
CompEx Ex12 Design
For engineers responsible for hazardous area system design, equipment selection and specification.
CompEx Ex14 Responsible Person
For managers, supervisors and responsible persons overseeing hazardous area compliance and Ex work activities.
5. Remember That Competency Requires Ongoing Development
Completing a training course is only one part of the competency journey.
Competency must be maintained through continued practical experience, application of skills and ongoing development. Organisations should regularly review competency records and ensure they can demonstrate why individuals are considered competent to perform specific tasks.
For example, someone who completed training several years ago but has had little practical exposure since may require additional support or refresher training before undertaking critical work.
Regular review is therefore essential to ensure competency remains current and relevant.
It’s also important to remember that competency management extends to contractors. If third-party personnel are carrying out Ex work on your site, their competency should be assessed and verified before work begins.
Supporting Your Ex-Competency Journey
NMi ExVeritas is part of NMi Group, a European family of companies specialising in testing, inspection, certification and calibration services.
We help organisations develop, demonstrate and maintain Ex competency through:
- CompEx training
- Specialist hazardous area training
- DSEAR and ATEX audits
- Hazardous area consultancy
- Product certification services
As a Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL), we support certification to UKCA, ATEX and IECEx standards. We are also a UK Government Appointed Body for UKCA Ex certification, an ATEX Notified Body, and an IECEx Certification Body.
Whether you’re building a competency programme from scratch or looking to enhance an existing framework, our team can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to work safely in hazardous areas.
To learn more about our training courses, visit our training page:
NMi ExVeritas Training Courses