Hazardous areas

A hazardous area is a three-dimensional space in which an explosive atmosphere is or may be expected to be present or form. Electrical equipment within the hazardous area must be suitably rated and effectively earthed to ensure that any ignition risks are adequately controlled.

Special precautions are required for the construction, installation and use of potential ignition sources, as fire and explosion can result in catastrophic consequences for people and property.

The first step to identifying the fire and explosion risk of an installation is to conduct a hazardous area classification to determine whether any zones where an explosive atmosphere exists or may be expected to be present will affect the level of protection for electrical equipment.

Wherever flammable liquids, vapours, gases and combustible dusts are used, stored, handled or generated, a hazardous area classification is required to assess the risk of fire and explosion. Any person with management or control for an installation with an explosive atmosphere risk has a duty to ensure such a classification has been made.

Further information on hazardous area classification, fire and explosion prevention, or how to find a hazardous area classification specialist can be found on the fire and explosion prevention page.

Where electrical equipment is located within a hazardous area classification zone, specific requirements are mandated in AS/NZS 60079.14 Design selection, erection and initial inspection for the selection and installation of the electrical equipment.

Section 221 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 requires that an accredited auditor inspect electrical installations in hazardous areas prior to connection for the first time or reconnection, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, to a source of electricity.

Note: there are exemptions to this requirement for inspection by an accredited auditor where hazardous area electrical installations are connected or reconnected following the replacement of similar 'like for like' electrical equipment (excluding switchboards, cables and wires) in prescribed circumstances, section 222 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026.

Workplace self-assessment

Manage the fire and explosion risks by conducting a self-assessment (DOCX, 0.14 MB) of your workplace with the self-assessment tool to ensure that explosive atmospheres are effectively controlled.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) and the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) inspectors may request to view a completed copy of the self-assessment during site inspections.

Industry compliance management

The ESO supported by WHSQ conduct workplace visits to ensure that the risks of fire and explosion have been identified, assessed and controlled. Key focus areas are:

• compliance with the relevant work health and safety, and electrical safety requirements
• adequate controls are implemented to reduce the fire and explosion risk at their workplace
• engagement of a hazardous area classification specialist to determine zone requirements for electrical equipment in a hazardous area.

Inspectors will take enforcement actions if unmanaged risks relating to fire and explosion are identified. This may include compliance notices immediately prohibiting the use of electrical equipment in hazardous areas until risk controls are implemented and verified.

Common industries with hazardous areas

This is a selection of industries that may have hazardous areas.

Flammable liquids, vapours and gases

• biogas and fuel plants
• bitumen storage tanks (heated >100°C)
• cement manufacturers
• chemical plants
• coal seam gas wells and plants
• fiberglass and glass manufacturers
• fuel dispensaries and refineries
• fuel storage tanks
• fuel tanker filling plant
• gas manufacturing and processing plants
• gas storage and dispensary
• glue/resin batch plants
• hospital operating theatres
• hydrocarbon dewatering plants
• hydrogen generation plant
• laboratories
• landfill gas recovery plants
• landfill sites
• mineral refinery
• oil recycling facility.
• paint mixing and tinting plants
• paint warehouses and manufacturers
• petrol stations
• pharmaceutical manufacturer
• printing plants
• sewage treatment plants
• spray booths
• treated water dosing stations.

Combustible dusts

• breweries
• coal conveyor transfer chute
• coal stockyards
• distillery
• fertilizer manufacturing and storage.
• flour mill
• food manufacturing (industrial scale)
• grain storage silo
• industrial bakeries
• milk manufacturing plant
• plasterboard manufacturer
• saw mills
• sugar refinery
• sugar storage silo.

Resources

• Developing an electrical installation improvement plan for a new hazardous area
• Become a hazardous areas accredited auditor
• Find a hazardous area installation accredited auditor
• 'Like for like' replacement of electrical equipment
• Hazardous area and high voltage accredited auditor operational requirements (PDF, 0.77 MB)
• Hazardous area accredited auditor inspection summary (PDF, 2.83 MB)
• Conditions of Office – High Voltage Accredited Auditors (PDF, 0.22 MB)