100th IECEx Personnel Competence Certificate Issued

IECEx Certification Body, CSA-Sira (UK), has recently issued its 100th certificate under the IECEx Competence of Personnel Scheme.

This now puts the number of people certified under the Scheme to 144 in total, with 3 other IECEx CBs appointed under the scheme, between them certifying 44 people in addition to the 100 certified by CSA-Sira.

It is a requirement in the European Union and throughout the world that personnel working in potentially explosive atmospheres are competent. One of the most rigorous ways to demonstrate this is through a thorough assessment of knowledge and skills.

Developed by the IEC to meet demand from the oil and gas industries for a global competence standard, the IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence (CoPC) provides companies with globally recognised certification that a person has the knowledge and skills necessary to implement international standards relating to equipment, services and personnel operating in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The IECEx CoPC initiative introduces an internationally-accepted scheme to certify competence of personnel working in potentially explosive atmospheres. Candidates are required to complete a rigorous application process, where work experience is assessed to demonstrate practical application of IEC standards in hazardous area applications, as well as complete knowledge examinations and practical demonstration of skills. The scheme comprises 10 units of competence to meet the varied needs of different functions in this highly specialised area, details can be found at www.siraenvironmental.com

CSA-Sira (a CSA Group company) has worked with the IEC and industry to progress the scheme since its inception in 2010, when CSA-Sira issued the world’s first IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence. Speaking about the milestone achievement, Bob Cooper, Director of the Scheme for CSA-Sira said:

“This achievement highlights the growth of the scheme since it was introduced in July 2010. We have particularly seen expansion of the scheme in 2012 and expect 2013 to continue this trend as acceptance of the scheme increases across the globe.”

Cooper also states, “In June 2012 Sira was granted the full scope of assessment modules under the scheme, and this in turn will lead to many more people being certified in line with the various skills that mirror their job function in the field, such as installation and inspection of Ex equipment.”