Safer jobs for electrical workers with ‘Explosive Atmospheres’ course

Workplace safety is not an admin tick box for Electrical and Instrumentation Hazardous Area inspector and WITT tutor Peter Lind. He knows too well that some work sites are hazardous enough to kill if employees are not properly trained in how to avoid or mitigate danger.

Peter, who teaches the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres (Level 4) at WITT, witnessed first-hand how ‘hazardous’ can turn into ‘deadly’ when he worked on an upgrade project for Australian gas processing company Santos on their Moomba site in South Australia.

A massive explosion at the plant would have cost lives but for the fact it was New Year’s Eve in 2004, and all staff had the night off, he says. The destruction from the blast crippled the site’s production and impacted on gas supplies to several states in Australia.

It was a close call. One that prompted Peter to focus on the next chapter of his career. He’s been educating management and employees about safety in hazardous worksites around Aotearoa and Australia for the past 15 years.

He’s pleased that new standards for risk management mandated by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) regarding licensing and registration of electrical workers employed in hazardous areas comes into force on September 1.

Although officially retired after several decades in oil and gas, petrochemical, and dairy industries, Peter’s committed to continuing to educate those at the frontline of danger.

His students are electricians, instrument technicians, mechanical and process workers employed in the oil, gas and petrochemical, dairy and other industries with gases, vapours, dusts, or flammable products on site.

Milk powder and dangerous dust

‘Explosive atmospheres’ sounds a dramatic mouthful when it comes to naming a qualification. But it is a fitting description for the environments where Peter’s students work.

Explosive milk powder – who knew? Milk powder explosions, while not frequent, are a recognized hazard in New Zealand's dairy industry, particularly within spray drying plants, says Peter. These explosions occur when milk powder dust, suspended in the air, ignites due to a heat source, often in drying or handling equipment. 

This means workers in potentially ‘explosive atmospheres’ – from large-scale dairy factories to electricians re-wiring residential houses and buildings – are legally required to have met the new safety qualifications to keep their professional registration. While many employers are on board and making sure their workers are certified, others are lagging, Peter says.

Raising awareness around safety

The qualification is an updated version of the course WITT last delivered in 2018. It was paused while it went through a review to ensure delivery continued to meet updated standards for explosive atmospheres, the needs of stakeholders, and for learners to meet industry requirements. 

Jill Warner, WITT deputy director, says; “WITT is proud to offer this essential training in response to strong demand, supporting the safety of workers across vital industries.”

Available uniquely through WITT, the level 4 programme involves three weeks of pre-course reading, five days of face-to-face training, and self-directed learning involving evidence gathered from the student’s own workplace.

Participants will gain knowledge on understanding the theory of hazardous materials, how to apply mitigation techniques – such as measuring and monitoring gas or chemical levels – as well as apply safety principles and procedures, and statutory requirements to safely enter, maintain and operate equipment on site.

The next intakes in New Plymouth are in August and October. WITT can deliver this training in-house at a company anywhere in New Zealand for a minimum of 10 students.

WITT also offers the one-day Explosive Atmospheres / Hazardous Areas course which is designed to give people the essential knowledge of explosive atmospheres and hazardous areas while covering NZQA unit standard 5929.  “It’s an ideal course for anyone working in a classified zone or hazardous area site that has not done any previous training or requires a refresher,” says Jill. 

This course can also be delivered in-house anywhere in New Zealand to a minimum of 12 participants. 

Peter says these qualifications is extremely important for raising standards, awareness, and knowledge. “Without training and understanding people working in these potentially explosive environments can be a danger to themselves and others.”

Pictured: Peter Lind and three students on the course earlier this year.