Paterson Simons recently invested in specialist hazardous area training to further strengthen its ability to support customers operating in high-risk industrial environments.
On 22 April 2026, members of the company’s sales and service teams participated in Ex Awareness Training – Lifting Equipment, delivered online by EXSOLUTIONS®, part of Pyroban, and led by process safety consultant Craig Nutty, who brings more than 25 years of international oil and gas industry experience.
The theory-based programme provided participants with a comprehensive introduction to the regulations, standards and technical considerations surrounding lifting equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres. Key topics included hazardous area classifications, ATEX and IECEx certification requirements, equipment protection levels, ignition risks and the process of developing compliant lifting equipment specifications.
The course also examined the commercial and operational implications of hazardous area compliance, highlighting the importance of selecting equipment that is both safe and appropriate for the operating environment. Participants gained a clearer understanding of how to interpret hazardous area classification information and ensure equipment specifications align with customer requirements while meeting relevant safety standards.
A key message from the training was that compliance is not solely an engineering responsibility.
Effective hazardous area management requires collaboration between customers, sales teams, engineers and certification specialists. The programme reinforced the importance of understanding ATEX zone classifications and clarified the distinction of responsibilities, with customers defining hazardous areas and suppliers ensuring that equipment is correctly specified for those conditions.
By enhancing knowledge across both sales and service functions, Paterson Simons continues to strengthen its capability to support customers in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, ports and industrial processing, where safety, compliance and operational reliability remain critical.