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Now, some of these electricians have moved east in search of work. Electrical contracting companies are hiring them with the intention of offering hazardous area (Ex) inspection or installation services. While these electricians may hold the required qualifications, concerns arise about their real-world inspection experience. This lack of experience can lead to safety issues being overlooked—issues that seasoned Ex inspectors would likely catch.

Even more concerning is the growing trend of companies enrolling their in-house electricians into Ex training courses with no prior experience. These businesses might only undertake one or two hazardous area jobs per month, while the majority of their work is commercial or residential. Despite this, they often promote themselves as industrial electrical contractors.

A true Ex inspector within an electrical contracting company should have substantial hands-on experience—not just in a single sector like coal mining, but across a range of industries including LNG gas plants and food and beverage facilities. This breadth of experience ensures that inspections are thorough and safety risks are identified promptly and accurately.Just because an electrician completes a short course and receives a certificate doesn’t automatically make them competent to inspect hazardous areas. It’s no different from assuming every engineer with a degree or every electrician with a licence is equally skilled. There are excellent professionals in every field—and others who may be poorly suited to specific tasks.

That doesn’t make them bad at their jobs; it simply means their expertise might lie elsewhere—whether that’s in high voltage systems, switchboard construction, or general factory or residential wiring. Hazardous area work is a specialised discipline, and it deserves to be treated as such.