HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
AND EXPLOSIVE AREAS

Hazardous substances are a significant contributor to the estimated 750-900 deaths and 5,000-6,000 hospitalisations from work-related diseases each year in New Zealand. In Australia, 195 work-related fatalities were recorded in 2022, with many linked to hazardous substances and environments. 

Many of these hazardous substances and flammable and even some non-hazardous dusts can cause fire and explosions. 

Where these fire and explosion hazards exists is called a hazardous area.

Ensuring your workplace isn’t contributing to these overwhelming statistics requires an in-depth risk assessment. Strict and complex governance exists around hazardous areas. 

TEG Risk provides best practice advice based on years of experience and a deep understanding of the relevant regulations and risks involved

Download our informative guide now: TEG Risk’s Guide to Combustible Dusts

Risk Management
Risk Management hazardous substances

Hazardous Areas are where explosive atmospheres exist from  flammable substances (defined under the Hazardous Substances regulations) and certain powders or dusts (e.g. flour, starch, milk powder) that are not usually hazardous but can be an explosion risk in certain circumstances.

Risk Management hazardous substances

How We Help You Ensure Safety: Hazardous Areas

We work with you to identify operational improvements for compliance and reduce personnel and property risks associated with these substances.

After extensively reviewing your operations and any flammable substances used, we can provide a formal hazardous areas classification to AS/NZS 60079.10 or a more comprehensive risk assessment listing what needs to be done to mitigate the risk associated with any hazardous areas.

We take into account:

  • Type of substance
  • What it is used for
  • How it is handled
  • Who is using it (and how they are trained)
  • Inventory
  • Storage
  • Signage
  • Hazardous area classifications
  • Secondary containment

Concerned About Hazardous Areas Hazardous Substances and Combustible Dusts? 

Partner With TEG Risk To Ensure Safety For Your Team

We are qualified, with proven experience on premiere client sites, in the risk management of hazardous substances and areas, particularly in the chemical and food and beverage industries. 

We have a deep understanding of how different substances impact explosive atmospheres. For over a decade we have accurately classified hazardous areas and provided clear, effective solutions to our clients to mitigate risks in these environments.

Our explosive atmosphere projects include:

  • Characterisation of multiple specialty chemicals and liquids where no safety data existed, which meant we could then accurately classify a hazardous area.
  • Characterisation of variable, complex mixtures of combustible dust ingredients to allow hazardous area classification of flavour and ingredient handling and extraction systems.
  • Identified best practice for multi-stage powder handling, transferring, processing and storage systems with a risk assessment for all ignition sources (not just electrical ones!) against AS/NZS 4745

Regulations require that areas with potentially explosive atmospheres must be assessed by competent individuals to ensure there are no electrical devices or ignition sources with inadequate protection present.

Call Hamish now: +64 21 910 939, and set up an assessment with our experienced team.

 

Experts In Hazardous Areas

Leading the Hazardous Substances Team is TEG Risk Director Hamish Baker. He has extensive experience as the Environment, Safety, and Health Manager for an international chemical and food additives company in the UK. His background underscores his expertise in managing complex safety and environmental challenges

Hamish Baker has managed Major Accident Hazard sites and their COMAH/SEVESO regulatory requirements, overseeing process safety and occupational health and safety for the storage, processing, and handling of a wide range of hazardous substances according to international best practices. 

His background in process engineering further enhances his ability to understand how hazardous substances and explosive atmospheres may impact operations. Additionally, Hamish has completed formal Hazardous Area Classification training through BASEEFA in the UK and holds Unit Standard Certification to Australian standards for hazardous area classification.

  • AS/NZS 60079.10.1-2009 Explosive atmospheres – Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres
  • AS/NZS 60079.10.2-2016 Explosive atmospheres – Classification of areas – Combustible dust atmospheres

As well as an experienced inhouse team, TEG Risk also has a network of supporting partners and associates who can provide additional related services e.g. detailed design of electrical systems, verification of designs and complete final inspection services.

Other TEG Risk Hazardous Areas experts include Keshawa (KC) Senaratne, and Jason Carter. Meet the TEG Team. 

Risk Management explosive areas

Contact our hazardous substances and explosive area experts using the short form here:

Meet The Hazardous Areas and Substances Team

Keshawa (KC) Senaratne - TEG Risk Team

Hamish Baker

TEG Risk Director +

Hazardous Substances Team Leader

Keshawa (KC) Senaratne - TEG Risk Team

Keshawa (KC) Senaratne

Senior Safety Engineer +

Hazardous Substances Expert

Jason Carter

Safety Engineer +

Hazardous Substances Expert