As part of our case study series, we had the opportunity to speak with Max Koen, an established CompEx instructor and assessor since 2010 who owns Hazardous Location Consultants & Training (HAZLOC), to find out more about his career journey and the most rewarding parts of his role.
What is your experience in the industry?
I grew up in Sasolburg, a city located in Free State (South African province). I did my electrical apprenticeship at the chemical company Sasol and worked my way up to the role of Master Electrical Artisan / Specialist. I was later promoted becoming the first Explosion Prevention Consultant (Level 6) at the Sasol Group. As part of this role, I also helped establish a new Sasol business unit to ensure legal compliance and governance throughout the company, this was a first for petrochemical companies in Southern Africa.
After 18 years with Sasol, I decided to start my own business and pursue my passion for training and consultancy in hazardous locations.
HAZLOC was founded in the autumn of 2009 and it became a well-known hazardous location specialist company in South Africa with a focus on providing professional and legally compliant services to clients. We did this by delivering international and national accredited training, consultation services and third-party verification audits to companies working in potentially hazardous environments. As part of our commitment to providing an international offering, I completed the CompEx Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04) and CompEx Dust (Ex05 – Ex06) qualifications in 2010.
What made you want to become a CompEx instructor/assessor? How long have you been one?
Based on my experiences in hazardous areas, I recognised the importance of competency and completing work correctly in the first instance without compromising on safety measures. I came across CompEx’s instructor and assessor training when I visited the UK in 2007 on a business trip. I decided to complete the course as it mirrors my passion for training and ensuring a safe and legal compliance industry for those working in potentially hazardous locations.
What geographical areas do you operate in?
We operate in Sub Sahara Africa, primarily in South Africa as well as the countries neighbouring Southern Africa, such as Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Angola, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
What are the most popular qualifications in your opinion? And why do you think they are the most sought-after?
Based on the number of enquiries we receive at HAZLOC, the most popular qualification we deliver is the CompEx Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04). The reason this course is sought-after is due to the various oil and gas companies operating in and around the Sub-Sahara region. These companies work both onshore and offshore and require internationally recognised competency accreditations to ensure the competence of their workforce which leads to safe operations.
What would you say are the most rewarding parts of your role?
I find it fulfilling to help people excel and gain new skills that they can apply to their work. Delivering training is especially rewarding because it prepares candidates to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
What are your personal highlights or successes that you’ve experienced in the role?
A personal highlight of mine is seeing the practitioners at the start of the course develop self-confidence as they better understand the theory and practical application of the qualification requirements. It’s also satisfying to see practitioners be able to fully interpret the various markings found on explosion protected equipment and have the knowledge to install and inspect the equipment correctly. Moreover, it brings me great joy when candidates reach out to me after the course to clarify information regarding complex installations they come across, showcasing the quality standards they have gained during the course.
What would you say to someone looking to become a new CompEx instructor and assessor?
I would recommend becoming a CompEx instructor and assessor to people with a passion for training, who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with practitioners, as well as enhance their own learning. From my experience, becoming an instructor and assessor will give them a chance to excel and meet all their expectations.
What would you say are the main factors that set CompEx apart from other accreditation bodies?
CompEx offers internationally recognised qualifications for individuals working in hazardous locations, which is in line with the IEC 60079 series of international standards. In my opinion, CompEx is the only competency validation scheme where candidates’ theoretical and practical skills (installation & Inspection) are assessed to ensure that workforce competency is upheld when working in potentially explosive atmospheres. This is crucial for maintaining workforce competency and safety across various industries.
Find out more about becoming a CompEx instructor and assessor here.