ISO Updated Mining Explosion Protection Standards
The new edition provides updated safety requirements for mining machinery and equipment.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Current Conditions
The International Organization for Standardization has released the second edition of the ISO/IEC 80079-38 standard. This document outlines explosion protection requirements for mining machinery and components, replacing the 2016 first edition.
Why it matters
The standard ensures that mining equipment operates safely within hazardous environments by establishing construction, testing, and marking requirements. It clarifies how equipment should function under specific atmospheric conditions to prevent accidents in underground mines.
The standard defines atmospheric conditions for equipment operation, including an operating pressure range of 80 kPa to 110 kPa and a typical oxygen content of 21 %. Equipment is rated for operating temperatures between -20 °C and +60 °C.
The players
International Organization for Standardization
This is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant international standards.
The details
This dual logo standard applies to Group I Ex equipment, specifically those with Explosion Protection Levels Ma and Mb. It modifies general requirements found in IEC 60079-0 to provide specific guidance for mining machinery and permits use in non-Group I mines, such as tunnels.
Timeline
The first edition of the standard was published in 2016.
The second edition of the standard was published on September 27, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
This standard updates the safety protocols defined by the IEC 60079-0 standard to ensure specialized compliance for mining machinery. It reflects the ongoing effort to align global industrial safety requirements with the specific atmospheric challenges found in underground mining environments.
Manufacturers and mining operators should review the updated construction and marking requirements to ensure continued compliance. The new specifications provide clearer safety guidelines for equipment operating in underground environments where explosive risks exist.
The takeaway
The second edition of this standard provides a critical framework for maintaining safety in high-risk mining environments. Proper implementation of these updated guidelines is essential for operators to prevent equipment failure and protect personnel in volatile underground conditions.
Further reading
For more information on industrial safety standards, visit our /weather-disaster/current-conditions/ section.
More information
View the technical details on the ISO/IEC 80079-38 standard publication page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iec.
