IEC TS 60079-44-2023 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC TS 60079-44-2023 — Explosive atmospheres — Part 44: Personal competence. This Technical Specification provides guidance to establish recommended minimum criteria for roles, the expectations of necessary skills and the evidence of competence used to assess and manage personnel who carry out work in or are associated with hazardous (explosive) atmospheres. It addresses both electrical and non‑electrical applications and covers typical work functions such as area classification, design, selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair and management of Ex equipment and systems.

Abstract

This document defines recommended minimum competency criteria (knowledge, skills and evidence) for individuals performing work in or associated with hazardous areas where explosive atmospheres may occur. It is intended to be used by employers, training organisations, assessors and regulators to help define, assess and manage competency programmes specific to facilities or used alongside regulatory requirements. The guidance complements, and is additional to, any professional or trade competencies required for the underlying work.

General information

• Status: Published / Active.
• Publication date: 28 November 2023 (Edition 1.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 (Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2023).
• Number of pages: 29 pages (IEC publication; some national catalogue listings may show minor pagination differences).

Scope

The specification applies to personnel involved with explosion-protected and associated equipment for use in explosive atmospheres and gives examples of minimum levels of competence for typical roles. It covers defining roles, expected knowledge/skills/abilities, and examples of acceptable evidence of competence for activities including area classification, design and commissioning of explosion‑protection measures, selection/installation/testing/maintenance of Ex equipment, inspection, repair/overhaul, and management of Ex aspects of facilities. It is intended for use at facility, company or regulatory levels to support competency management programmes.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of typical roles associated with hazardous areas (designers, installers, inspectors, maintenance personnel, managers, etc.).
• Recommended minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required for each role (technical knowledge of Ex principles, safe working practices, regulatory awareness, documentation and record keeping).
• Examples of acceptable evidence of competence (training records, practical assessments, certification, on‑the‑job evidence, refresh/reassessment intervals).
• Guidance on managing competency programmes — assessment, verification, continuing professional development and record management.
• Applicability to electrical and non‑electrical work in hazardous areas and how competence for Ex work complements other professional competencies.
• Alignment suggestions with competency management best practice (for example referencing competency management standards and personnel certification concepts).

Typical use and users

Intended users include EHS and operations managers, plant engineers, hazardous area designers, installation and maintenance teams, inspection bodies, training organisations, assessors, certification bodies and regulators. Facilities operating in oil & gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, chemical, food processing, mining and similar industries will use this specification to define role profiles, training curricula, assessment criteria and competency records for personnel working in or associated with explosive atmospheres.

Related standards

This Technical Specification is part of the IEC 60079 series on explosive atmospheres and is intended to be used alongside other parts such as IEC 60079-0 (general requirements), IEC 60079-10 (area classification), IEC 60079-14 (selection and installation), IEC 60079-17 (inspection and maintenance), IEC 60079-19 (repair) and relevant personnel certification and competency management standards (for example ISO 10015 on training and ISO/IEC guidance on certification schemes). National adoptions and translations of IEC/TS 60079-44 may also exist.

Keywords

Explosive atmospheres; hazardous areas; Ex equipment; competence; competency management; training; assessment; inspection; maintenance; area classification; personnel certification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 60079-44:2023 is a Technical Specification that provides guidance on minimum competency criteria and evidence for personnel working in or associated with hazardous (explosive) atmospheres.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers recommended role definitions, the expected knowledge, skills and abilities for those roles, and examples of acceptable evidence and assessment approaches to manage competence for tasks such as area classification, design, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair and management of Ex equipment and systems.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Employers, plant operators, EHS/operations managers, engineers, inspectors, training organisations, assessors and certification bodies use it to define competency programmes and assess personnel who work in explosive-atmosphere environments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current as published in 2023 (Edition 1.0). The IEC publication lists a stability date (review) through 2028; users should check national adoption notices for any later national modifications or adoptions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 60079 series covering equipment and practices for explosive atmospheres; it is intended to be used in conjunction with other parts of IEC 60079 that address technical requirements, installation, inspection and repair.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Explosive atmospheres, hazardous areas, Ex competence, competency management, training, assessment, inspection, maintenance, area classification.