Hi Grant,

My opinion is that it is not compulsory to have COMPEx certification to work on petrol forecourts. However, practically all petrol forecourt companies would vet the electrical contractor and are likely to be chosen if they are approved contractors such as the NICEIC, ECA, or NAPIT. In past experience, to work in any hazardous environment as an electrician under NICEIC, required an additional approval on top of 'approved contractor', and in order to satisfy their requirements, that means formal training in hazardous atmospheres. COMPEx is away of achieving that requirement.

Having COMPEx certification shows any potential employer that the person has proved competency to work in a defined hazardous atmosphere such as dust or gas depending on what their certification covers. It demonstrates that an individual has some knowledge of BS EN 60079, ATEX 94/9/EC, ATEX 137, additional to BS7671. All that said and done though does not prevent someone from working on petrol forecourts under training.