Certified
Specialist
The Updated ISO 14001:2026 Standard | Sign Up Now
An essential introduction for working safely in Ex-rated zones The CompEx Foundation (ExF) Explosive Atmospheres course is a theory-based programme designed to build a fundamental understanding of hazardous environments where explosive gases, vapours or dust may be present. It offers insight into the legislation, classifications, and safe working principles associated with such high-risk zones.
This course equips learners with essential awareness needed to work safely in explosive atmospheres, supporting progression into more advanced CompEx qualifications. It is suitable for both technical and non-technical personnel across sectors such as pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing, and other industries with Ex-rated areas.
This course is designed for:
It is suitable for anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of hazardous areas before moving into technical compliance roles.
On successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
This awareness will enable learners to engage confidently in Ex environments and pursue further specialist training.
This theory-based course provides a structured introduction to explosive atmospheres and applicable standards.
EU Legislation
ATEX 99/92/EU : Explosive Atmospheres at Work
Irish Legislation
The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work
(General Application) Regulations, 2007
Part 8: Explosive Atmospheres at Places of Work.
EU Legislation
ATEX 2014/34/EU: Equipment & Protective Systems.
Irish Legislation
S.I. No 230 of 2017, equipment & protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres regulations 2017.
Core topics include:
This course is delivered by highly experienced tutors with specialist knowledge in hazardous environments.
Each tutor brings real-world experience, sector-specific insights, and a passion for practical training. Their focus is on building learner confidence through engaging, hands-on exercises and personalised support.
Tutors include:
Tutors provide real-time support, mentoring and insight throughout the programme.
All learners, both new and existing CompEx candidates, must complete registration with the CompEx system prior to confirmation of booking. https://registration.
English Language Competency
A good standard of written and spoken English is important to engage effectively with this programme. While formal certification (e.g. IELTS) is not required, learners whose first language is not English should have a self-assessed proficiency equivalent to IELTS 5.5–6.0 or CEFR level B2.
This level of competence will support learners in understanding course materials, contributing to discussions, and completing assessments where applicable.
Learners will need a laptop for the examination which is remotely invigilated in line with CompEx requirements. Study time is built into the second day. Additional revision between Day 1 and Day 2 is strongly recommended to support successful completion.
Successful learners will receive the internationally recognised CompEx Foundation in Hazardous Awareness certificate.
Our training approach is practical, highly interactive, and discussion-based, with flexibility to meet organisational needs:
Class sizes are generally limited to 10 to support personalised learning and individual support.
The CompEx Foundation (ExF) course is accredited by the CompEx Certification Body. CompEx is a globally recognised scheme for validating core competency in explosive atmospheres.
This accreditation ensures learners are trained to the highest safety and compliance standards recognised by employers worldwide.
On completion of this course, learners may progress to the Ex 14 responsible person course, provided they meet the engineering knowledge requirements outlined for that course
This foundation supports further professional development within high-risk industries.
Further progression supports deeper auditing capability and cross-standard expertise.
Check out our public course dates below.
Good course content and well delivered.
Positive experience and Peter is a great tutor.
Peter was a very good tutor, his experience on the subject added an extra layer that helped understand the most difficult concepts. The contents could be hard to understand at times, but Peter went back and ensured we were clear before moving on.
Very well presented.
Found the course easy to understand and everything was explained well
Very good delivery & nice pace to the course.
Good delivery and made interesting. Good presentation, interesting with relevant examples. Lots of interaction
Elizabeth Walker
Senior QEHS Consultant, and proficient management system expert, Elizabeth has exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with over 20 years’ industry experience specialising across five disciplines including Health & Safety, Environment, Energy, Quality and Food Safety. Areas of expertise to support these management systems incorporate risk management, change management and lean manufacturing techniques.
Elizabeth has worked as a consultant developing and implementing integrated management systems for global organisations both nationally and internationally, in Ireland, the UK, Belgium, France, Croatia and Hungary. Elizabeth is also a competent lead auditor with extensive experience carrying out and managing audit programmes and is also a expert trainer delivering wide-ranging management system courses.
Finbar Stapleton
Senior QEHS Consultant, Lead Tutor, and a highly qualified and experienced consultant and trainer. He joined Antaris in 1994 and since then, has successfully assisted a large number of companies in implementing health and safety, environment, energy and quality management systems and achieving certification to ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and ISO 9001. Finbarr is an excellent tutor and has designed, developed and delivered numerous training courses in the area of Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Systems and Auditing. Finbarr acts as an agreement support manager/mentor with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the public and private sector.
Sarah Liddy
Sarah Liddy is an experienced EHS consultant and tutor with over 10 years of expertise in health and safety, environmental management, quality management, and risk management. Throughout her career, she has delivered tailored training and educational programmes to a wide range of industries, helping organisations strengthen their safety culture, improve compliance, and enhance risk awareness. Sarah has extensive experience developing and delivering engaging training sessions, workshops, and practical learning programmes aligned with internationally recognised standards, including ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Her training approach is focused on providing practical, real-world knowledge that supports both organisational objectives and regulatory compliance.
Bruce Harper
Bruce is an Environmental and Sustainability Consultant with over 15 years of experience in environmental regulation, policy and management. A specialist in industrial emissions, Bruce has worked across both regulatory and consultancy roles – from setting licence conditions as a Licensing Inspector with the Environmental Protection Agency to developing environmental regulations and guidance as a Policy Advisor for the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland. At Antaris Consulting, he supports organisations through environmental impact assessments, sustainability certifications, circular economy business models, greenhouse gas reporting and climate risk management. Bruce holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and a BSc in Manufacturing Engineering with Management from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Transport and Mobility from TU Dublin.
Pat Kane
Pat Kane is an ESG educator and strategist whose background combines academic study with hands-on professional experience across environmental, social, and governance issues. Over nearly a decade she has worked across ESG strategy, DEI, supply chain transparency, and sustainability marketing and storytelling – giving her a holistic perspective that is rare in a field that often siloes these disciplines. Pat believes deeply in the power of individual impact: organisations don’t change on their own – people within them do, and her role as a tutor is to equip those people with the knowledge and confidence to lead that change.
Liam Regan
Liam is an experienced energy engineer, consultant and quality practitioner with over a decade of expertise in management systems, energy performance, and continuous improvement. At Antaris Consulting, he works as a consultant, trainer and auditor, specialising in ISO standards including ISO 50001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001. Liam has developed and delivered numerous accredited training programmes, such as the SEAI LWES Implementation and Maintenance Programme and Ireland’s first CQI IRCA ISO 9001 Foundation e-learning course. A registered SEAI Energy Auditor and EXEED Expert, he also manages relationships for SEAI’s Large Industry Energy Network and Public Sector Partnership, supporting organisations in achieving sustainability and energy targets. Liam holds an MSc in Lean Sigma Systems from the University of Limerick and is recognised for his adaptability, attention to detail and commitment to improving operational effectiveness across sectors.
Aurora Leyton
Aurora is a sustainability consultant and trainer with a background in chemical engineering from the University of Chile and a master’s degree in environmental leadership from the University of Galway. With extensive experience in environmental regulations and sustainability strategy development, she has worked across Chile and Ireland, bringing a global perspective to regulatory and sustainability challenges. Aurora has a strong track record in training and facilitation, designing and delivering workshops on sustainability, climate action, and corporate environmental responsibility. She has led tailored training programs for businesses and stakeholders, including Enterprise Ireland’s Kickstarter Workshops and Business Navigator’s Sustainability Masterclass, EcoVadis training, and sustainable packaging workshops, helping organisations embed sustainability into their operations. She also facilitated the 2023 and 2024 National Stakeholder Forums on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). Aurora is a practitioner member of ISEP and a has QQI Level 6 Training Delivery and Evaluation certification.
Gerry Higgins
Gerard was educated in the University of Limerick and has worked in the technical services sector for over 30 years, with a background in engineering and general management. He is a Fellow of ISEP (FISEP), a Fellow of Engineers Ireland (FIEI), and a chartered environmentalist and chartered engineer. He is an expert in environment and sustainability, has consulted on life cycle analysis, green tenders, resource efficiency, circular economy, carbon footprint management and reporting, sustainability strategies and action plans, environmental impacts assessment, technical advice, incident review, sustainable packaging, sustainable logistics, ERG, eco-design, and energy efficiency design.
Peter Fleming
Peter is an accomplished safety professional with credible technical insight coupled with best-in-class interpersonal and communication skills. In the last 20 years, he has specialised in the areas of HAZOP, risk assessment, process safety, fire safety and industrial loss prevention. Peter has worked with over 300 organisations in Europe, China, Middle East, America, Central America primarily focusing on HAZOP studies and Risk Assessment. He has co-ordinated a number of HAZOP and SIL studies in Jubail and Saudi Arabia. He has also worked as a safety expert responsible for assessing the safety of Ma’aden operations and processes and preparing a safety risk register for Ma’aden Phosphate Company. He has also completed HAZOP studies in Ireland, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for a number of clients.
Our training expertise has supported teams across a broad range of industries. Here you’ll find some of the organisations who have benefited from Antaris’ guidance and education.
If you have questions about our courses or need support in determining the best pathway for your training objectives, please contact us.
Explore other courses that complement this training and support your professional development.
This Ex Awareness training course introduces essential knowledge needed to understand the risks, hazards, and safety measures for working in environments where explosive atmospheres may be present. Ex A has been developed to support safety, compliance, and informed decision-making in hazardous areas and helps to build awareness of:
CompEx Ex Awareness Award (ExA) (Half Day)
This Ex Awareness training course introduces essential knowledge needed to understand the risks, hazards, and safety measures for working in environments where explosive atmospheres may be present. Ex A has been developed to support safety, compliance, and informed decision-making in hazardous areas and helps to build awareness of:
Working in confined spaces presents significantly higher risks than most other workplace environments. The enclosed nature of such spaces amplifies hazards, increasing the potential for serious or even fatal accidents. This course is designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work safely and effectively in confined spaces.
Delivered as a one-day, practical training experience, this programme empowers individuals and teams to identify risks, apply appropriate safety systems, and respond efficiently to emergencies. It is tailored to meet the unique needs of each organisation, with a strong focus on real-world applicability.
Confined Space Entry (1 Day)
Working in confined spaces presents significantly higher risks than most other workplace environments. The enclosed nature of such spaces amplifies hazards, increasing the potential for serious or even fatal accidents. This course is designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work safely and effectively in confined spaces.
Delivered as a one-day, practical training experience, this programme empowers individuals and teams to identify risks, apply appropriate safety systems, and respond efficiently to emergencies. It is tailored to meet the unique needs of each organisation, with a strong focus on real-world applicability.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 introduced significant changes to how construction safety is managed in Ireland. These regulations affect all construction projects and place clear legal obligations on duty-holders including clients, designers, contractors, and project supervisors.
This focused half-day course offers a concise overview of the key roles and responsibilities under the legislation. Learners will gain essential knowledge of compliance requirements and practical guidance on how to meet them in real construction scenarios. This course equips participants with clarity, confidence, and compliance strategies.
Overview of Safety Health Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (Half Day)
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 introduced significant changes to how construction safety is managed in Ireland. These regulations affect all construction projects and place clear legal obligations on duty-holders including clients, designers, contractors, and project supervisors.
This focused half-day course offers a concise overview of the key roles and responsibilities under the legislation. Learners will gain essential knowledge of compliance requirements and practical guidance on how to meet them in real construction scenarios. This course equips participants with clarity, confidence, and compliance strategies.
Certified
Specialist
© Antaris 2026 | All Rights Reserved
Registered number: 701016.
Designed & Developed by Rooftop Twenty Two
Sustainability is no longer a choice, it’s a business imperative.
5 Pery Square, Limerick,
V94 EV1F, Ireland
Request Company Quote
Need In-Company Training? Please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with a company quote.
"*" indicates required fields
Need In-Company Training? Please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with a company quote.