Hazardous Area Inspections:

1. Who can perform the inspection

  • The work in a hazardous area is considered “prescribed electrical work” and must be inspected by a person authorised by their registration/licence and who has not carried out or supervised the work.

  • For an inspector to be registered as an “Electrical Inspector (Endorsed Hazardous Areas)” via the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), requirements include:

    • Having held registration as an Electrical Inspector for at least 2 years.

    • Having at least 2 years of practical experience in the prescribed electrical work of an Electrical Inspector.

    • Having at least 1 year (or ~2,000 hours) of practical experience in a hazardous area or substantially similar.

    • Have knowledge/skills in control of explosion hazards; use of explosion-protected equipment; risk management; safety functions for hazardous areas.

2. What standards and regulations apply to the inspection

  • Regulation 14 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations states: for work in hazardous areas, inspection must be in accordance with the standard AS/NZS 60079.17 (“Explosive atmospheres – Part 17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance”).

  • The Reg 70/72 of the Regulations specify that work in hazardous areas must be inspected.

  • Periodic verification is required: According to WorkSafe New Zealand, installations in hazardous areas fall under “in-service safety verification” and must be inspected periodically by a competent person.

3. Documentation and records needed

  • A key document is a Record of Inspection (RoI) or a “Statement of Periodic Verification” for hazardous areas. HRE Inspections can supply these.

  • For hazardous-area installations, the inspector/owner must maintain a verification dossier including all explosion-protected electrical equipment and inspection reports (e.g., from 4-yearly inspections). (Link to WorkSafe)

  • For new or modified installations: a Certificate of Compliance + Record of Inspection + Electrical Safety Certificate (or equivalent depending on situation) must accompany the connection.

4. Scope and frequency of inspection

  • For a new installation or when work has been done: inspection must occur before connection to supply (high-risk work) so the installation is safe and meets Act/Regulations.

  • For in-service hazardous-area installations: periodic inspection at least every 4 years is common practice according to guidance.

  • The inspection must cover both low-voltage and extra-low voltage parts of the installation when in hazardous area context.

5. What to inspect / check

The inspector must verify that:

  • All equipment installed in the hazardous area is zone-rated (i.e., suitable for the explosion risk zone: Zone 0, 1, 2 or Zone 20, 21, 22) and marked accordingly.

  • The installation has been designed and installed in accordance with the relevant standards: for general wiring, AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules); for hazardous area installations, AS/NZS 60079-series (explosive atmospheres) including 60079.17 for inspection.

  • The protective systems (explosion protection techniques) are functioning: e.g., flameproof enclosures, intrinsic safety, purged/pressurised systems, dust-exclusion, etc.

  • The documentation (verification dossier, inspection records, certificates) is complete, accurate, and matches the equipment on site.

  • Any deficiencies found are documented and there is a plan for remediation (the periodic inspection is a report, not just a “pass/fail”).

6. Owner/operator responsibilities

While not strictly the inspector’s role, owners/operators must ensure:

  • The hazardous-area installation is maintained, remains electrically safe, and they must not allow use if unsafe.

  • The documentation (verification dossier, RoI, etc) is available for inspection.

  • They engage an appropriately registered and competent inspector when needed.

Summary:

In short: For an electrical inspection in a hazardous area in New Zealand, the inspector must be appropriately registered/endorsed, follow the required standards (especially AS/NZS 60079.17 and AS/NZS 3000), inspect both new works and periodic in-service installations, produce the necessary documentation (RoI, verification dossier), check that equipment is rated for the zone and safe, and ensure that any deficiencies are captured.

Hazardous area inspection services ensure you meet compliance requirements for electrical installations in potentially explosive atmospheres, saving you time and money, and more importantly ensuring the safety of yourself and others.

Dust Environments:

  • Grain Stores

  • Flour mills

  • Wheat sheds

  • Palm kernel processing and associated storage sheds

  • Dairy Factories

The following Areas are deemed to be Hazardous areas:

to name a few

Chemicals:

  • Processing plants

  • Bromide storage facilities

  • Resin processing plants

  • Food manufacturing

  • Paint manufactuting

  • Spray booths and tint mixing rooms

  • Dangerous goods storage

Petroleum & Fuels

  • Bulk fuel storage terminals

  • Fuel storage terminals

  • Service stations

  • LPG Installation

Contact Us

hreinspections@gmail.com

022 108 5729

Heinrich Oberholzer

Director