Brian Jacoby
Moderator
HazlocIQ
Welcome to HazLocIQ
An industry platform dedicated to advancing knowledge, safety, and informed decision-making in industry hazardous work environments.
Industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, energy, mining, and manufacturing operate in environments where risk is inherent and the margin for error is small. At the same time, these industries are rapidly evolving through the introduction of digital technologies, mobile connected devices, and data-driven operations. The intersection of safety, technology, and operational performance requires thoughtful dialogue, credible information, and practical experience.
Hazardous Locations 101
The Educational Foundation.
This section serves as the primary knowledge base for the HazLoc workforce. It provides a standardized breakdown of Zone and Division classifications, North American vs. International standards (NEC vs. IEC), and fundamental safety definitions. Upon launch, users will find modular guides designed to onboard new safety officers and refresh veteran field workers on essential compliance requirements.
What are Hazardous Locations?
Zone/Division 101
Certification Basics
OSHA, NRTL, NEC
Class vs Zone
The differences and similarities between ATEX & IECEx.
Featured
Industry Content
The Critical Value of Third-Party Certification for Mobile Devices
In hazardous environments, assuming a “certified” label is sufficient can lead to dangerous procurement gaps. This featured article by Bryan Huhn, Sr. Product / Regulatory Manager at The Joy Factory, highlights the risks of self-certification and explains why mobile devices must be evaluated as a complete, third-party verified assembly. By prioritizing independent verification over simple assumptions, organizations can ensure their technology remains safe, traceable, and compliant throughout its entire operational lifecycle.
Industry Specifics
Vertical-Level Intelligence.
Hazardous location requirements are never ‘one size fits all.’ This section delivers granular data tailored to specific sectors, including Oil & Gas, Chemical, Energy, and Pharmaceutical. Mobile workers can access industry-specific safety protocols, equipment requirements, and environmental risk assessments unique to their specific operational vertical.
Oil & Gas
Agriculture
Chemical
Pharmaceutical
Energy
Manufacturing
Verify & Research
The Technical Data Hub→
The core ‘IQ’ of the platform, this section provides a robust toolkit for the research and validation of HazLoc certifications. When live, it will offer a centralized interface to verify ATEX, IECEx, and NRTL certifications, helping safety managers and procurement teams validate the compliance of mobile hardware and components before they reach the field.
Resources & Documentation
The Functional Toolkit
A central repository for technical assets. This section provides a comprehensive HazLoc Glossary to standardize communication across teams, alongside high-resolution technical diagrams and infographics illustrating complex wiring and containment standards. All resources—including safety checklists and downloadable PDF whitepapers—are optimized for mobile access by field workers.
Articles, Blogs, and White papers
Articles
Resource & Links for Hazardous Locations Info
Resource Links
Documentation and links to 3rd party documents
Documentation
Contributre your expertise? Contributor Checklist
Download Checklist
Contact Us
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any inquires, content contributions, or information about hazlociq.com