Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hazardous Area Specialist

💰 $95,000 - $165,000

EngineeringSafetyComplianceOil & GasManufacturingPetrochemical

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a seasoned and detail-oriented Hazardous Area Specialist to join our dynamic engineering team. This pivotal role serves as the subject matter expert for all aspects of explosion protection, ensuring that our facilities operate in full compliance with international standards (IECEx), European directives (ATEX), and North American codes (NEC/CEC). You will be responsible for conducting Hazardous Area Classification (HAC), verifying equipment suitability, and managing the lifecycle integrity of Ex-certified equipment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical understanding of explosion-protection principles and a passion for upholding the highest safety standards in high-hazard industrial environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Electrical Engineer / E&I Engineer
  • Instrumentation & Control Technician
  • Compliance Engineer or Safety Officer
  • Senior Electrician with extensive industrial experience

Advancement To:

  • Lead Hazardous Area Consultant / Technical Authority
  • Engineering Manager (Safety & Compliance)
  • Process Safety Manager
  • Principal Safety Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Functional Safety Engineer (TÃœV)
  • Process Safety Engineer
  • Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct and lead comprehensive Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) studies for new projects and existing facility modifications, producing detailed classification reports, schedules, and drawings in accordance with standards like IEC 60079-10-1, API 505, and NFPA 497.
  • Serve as the definitive Technical Authority on explosion protection, providing expert guidance, interpretation, and practical solutions on IECEx, ATEX, DSEAR, and NEC 500/505 requirements to project, maintenance, and operations teams.
  • Perform meticulous design reviews and verification of all electrical, instrumentation, and control systems destined for classified hazardous locations to ensure conformity with specified protection concepts (e.g., Exd, Exe, Exi, Exp).
  • Develop, implement, and oversee robust inspection and maintenance strategies for all Ex equipment, utilizing methodologies such as Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) to ensure sustained compliance and operational integrity throughout the asset lifecycle.
  • Create and manage the facility’s Explosion Protection Document (EPD) and the verification dossier, ensuring all required documentation, certifications, and inspection records are current, accurate, and readily auditable.
  • Specify and select appropriately certified electrical and non-electrical equipment for use in hazardous areas, carefully reviewing vendor documentation and certification to confirm suitability for the specific zone, gas group, and temperature class.
  • Lead or significantly contribute to formal safety assessments such as HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL, providing specialist input on ignition source control and the effectiveness of preventative measures against explosive atmospheres.
  • Investigate incidents, near-misses, and equipment failures involving Ex-rated systems, performing root cause analysis (RCA) and developing effective corrective and preventative actions to mitigate future risks.
  • Champion a culture of safety by developing and delivering advanced technical training programs on hazardous area principles, safe installation practices, and inspection requirements for engineers, technicians, and contractors.
  • Interface directly with regulatory bodies, certification agencies, and third-party auditors during compliance audits, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring successful outcomes.
  • Review and approve electrical design packages, installation work packs, and commissioning procedures to guarantee adherence to hazardous area standards before work commences.
  • Perform detailed on-site inspections and quality assurance checks during the construction, installation, and commissioning phases of projects to validate correct implementation of Ex designs.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive Ex equipment register or database, tracking the status, condition, and inspection history of every asset within a classified area.
  • Assess and approve non-electrical (mechanical) equipment for use in hazardous areas, conducting ignition hazard assessments in line with ISO 80079-36/37.
  • Provide expert consultation on managing temporary equipment and activities within hazardous zones, including the development of robust hot work permit procedures and ignition source controls.
  • Stay abreast of evolving international standards, industry best practices, and new technologies in the field of explosion protection, and drive their implementation within the organization.
  • Author, review, and update internal company standards, engineering specifications, and safe work procedures related to hazardous area management.
  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians, fostering their professional development and competence in the specialized field of hazardous area engineering.
  • Evaluate and manage external contractors performing hazardous area inspection, maintenance, or installation activities, ensuring they possess the required competency and qualifications (e.g., CompEx).
  • Generate detailed technical reports, gap analyses, and strategic recommendations for senior management regarding the compliance status and risk profile of company assets.

Secondary Functions

  • Support Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and other safety studies by providing expert input on ignition source control and consequence modeling.
  • Contribute to the organization's overall Process Safety Management (PSM) framework and safety strategy.
  • Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to establish a qualified vendor list for Ex equipment and services.
  • Participate in industry forums, standards committees, and technical networks to represent the company and share knowledge.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Hazardous Area Classification (HAC): Expert-level ability to perform and interpret HAC studies according to IEC 60079-10-1/2, API, and NFPA standards.
  • IECEx / ATEX Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of IECEx scheme, ATEX Directives (2014/34/EU & 1999/92/EC), and DSEAR regulations.
  • CompEx Certification: Current CompEx certification (e.g., Ex01-04 for Installation & Inspection, Ex12 for Design, Ex14 for Responsible Person) is highly desirable.
  • Explosion Protection Concepts: Thorough understanding of all major protection methods (Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, Ex p, Ex m, Ex n, etc.) and their application.
  • Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Design: Proficiency in reading and interpreting E&I drawings (P&IDs, single-line diagrams, loop diagrams) and reviewing designs for compliance.
  • Standards Interpretation: Ability to navigate and apply complex technical standards from IEC, CENELEC, NFPA, and API.
  • Inspection & Maintenance Strategy: Experience with developing and managing detailed and close visual inspection programs for Ex equipment.
  • CAD Software: Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software for creating and marking up HAC drawings.
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Formal training or experience in RCA methodologies to investigate equipment failures.
  • Technical Documentation: Skill in writing clear, concise, and defensible technical reports, procedures, and Explosion Protection Documents (EPDs).

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An uncompromising eye for detail is critical for ensuring compliance and safety.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose complex technical issues and develop practical, compliant solutions.
  • Technical Communication & Mentorship: Capable of clearly explaining complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at collaborating with and influencing project managers, engineers, and site personnel.
  • Integrity and Professionalism: A strong ethical compass and commitment to upholding safety standards without compromise.
  • Independent Judgement: Confidence to make critical decisions and stand by technical recommendations.
  • Risk Assessment: A systematic approach to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or a closely related technical field. Equivalent extensive experience (10+ years) coupled with advanced technical certifications (e.g., CompEx Ex12/Ex14) may be considered.

Preferred Education:

A Master's Degree in a relevant engineering discipline or a professional certification such as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Instrumentation & Control Engineering
  • Safety Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 7-12 years of progressive experience with a significant focus on hazardous area design, classification, and compliance within an industrial setting.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in high-hazard industries such as Oil & Gas (onshore/offshore), Petrochemical, Chemical Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, or LNG.
  • Proven experience acting as a Technical Authority or designated "Responsible Person" for hazardous area compliance.
  • Demonstrable track record of successfully managing Ex inspection programs and leading facilities through regulatory audits.
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