In the business world, some locations are appropriate for residential construction, some for industrial and some for retail, but in each case, appropriate classification of the location is critical to success. In an industrial setting, appropriate classification of a work area is critical to worker safety. Some work processes involve materials that can be potentially explosive in high enough concentrations.
More specifically, an area where fire or explosion hazards exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings is called a Hazardous Classified Location (HazLoc). Typically, these materials are also respiratory hazards. Because of this, proper selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) is particularly critical to protecting the worker from both respiratory hazards and from explosions. This article will provide an overview of HazLoc work areas with specific regard to those where powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) are employed.