Common questions, answered.
A few of the things people ask us most often: what we do, how hazardous area compliance works, and who we work with. If your question isn’t here, we’re happy to talk it through.
What services does HazardProof offer?
We provide hazardous area and electrical engineering services, including hazardous area classification, inspections, design, auditing and compliance, for industrial and mining operations.
What industries do you work with?
Mining and resources are at our core, including underground coal and metalliferous operations. We also work across oil and gas, distilleries, manufacturing, spray booths, workshops, and other environments where hazardous atmospheres are a concern.
Do you only work with mining operations?
No. While mining is where much of our experience sits, the principles of hazardous area compliance apply anywhere flammable gases, vapours or dusts are present. We work with a growing range of industrial and commercial sites, from distilleries and breweries to manufacturing facilities and spray booths.
Do you certify equipment for hazardous areas?
No, we don’t certify machinery. What we do is assess compliance and confirm that equipment meets the relevant regulatory standards for the area it operates in.
What are hazardous areas?
Hazardous areas are environments where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dusts may be present. They require specific equipment and design standards to manage the risk of ignition to keep people and operations safe.
How often should hazardous area inspections be conducted?
It depends on the classification of the area, but periodic inspections are generally required under industry regulations to maintain ongoing compliance. An inspection may also be needed whenever equipment changes or the area itself is modified.
What is a hazardous area dossier, and why do I need one?
A hazardous area dossier is a detailed record of the compliance information for the equipment and systems in your hazardous area. It demonstrates regulatory compliance and supports safe operation. Keeping it current makes every future audit, inspection or site change far simpler to manage.
Our site has changed since it was first classified. Does that matter?
It can matter a great deal. New equipment, process changes, or an expanded footprint can all shift a site’s risk profile, sometimes without anyone updating the original classification. If your site has evolved beyond its initial assumptions, it’s worth having the classification reviewed.
We’re a distillery / brewery / spray booth – is this relevant to us?
Yes. Sites like distilleries, breweries and spray booths handle flammable vapours as part of normal operation, which means hazardous area requirements apply. We help these operations understand their obligations and put practical, compliant solutions in place.
We’re a smaller facility – is hazardous area compliance still worth it?
Compliance obligations don’t scale away with size. If a hazardous atmosphere is present, the requirements apply. The advantage of working with a specialist firm like ours is that the advice is proportionate: we focus on what genuinely matters for your site rather than over-engineering the solution.
