Tracerco staff achieve IECEX competence certification

14 members of Tracerco, part of the Johnson Matthey group, have successfully achieved certification under the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence Scheme (CoPC) through Sira Certification Service.

It is a requirement of IECEx that personnel working in potentially explosive atmospheres are competent. One of the most rigorous ways to demonstrate this is through training and assessment. Developed by the IEC to meet demand from the oil and gas industries for a global competence standard, IECExCoPC 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.

Headquartered in Billingham, UK, Tracerco, is a world leading technology company providing unique and specialised detection, diagnostic and measurement solutions to customers in petroleum and associated industries.

The introduction of the IECExCoPC initiative introduces, for the first time, 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.

Andy Hurst, Tracerco’s Managing Director commented “Tracerco is committed to ensuring staff receive expert training and support. We saw IECEx competence as an opportunity to ensure that our employees who work in potentially explosive atmospheres throughout the world comply with international standards. We chose Sira because of its long standing relationship with Tracerco coupled with its knowledge and experience to provide a comprehensive range of hazardous area competence and training schemes. We are delighted to be world leaders in training and continued personal development”.

Sira (a CSA International company) is a leading IECEx Certification Body and has been a founding member of the IECExCoPC scheme since its inception in July 2010. Sira has to date issued the most IECEx competence certificates worldwide.

Bob Cooper, Director of Sira Certification Service commented, “The CoPC scheme is now gathering momentum as industry recognizes the benefits of one scheme for personnel certification. With organizations such as Tracerco embracing and adopting the IECEx as part of their commitment to staff professional development and safety, it shows a clear indication of the progress of the scheme since its launch in 2010.”