What is DSEAR? | A Complete Guide
What Does DSEAR Stand For?
DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) is UK legislation that requires employers to assess and control the risks (primarily fire and explosion) posed by dangerous substances in the workplace. It is a piece of UK legislation which is derived from European Union (EU) Directives - it takes fire and explosion safety requirements from the ATEX Workplace Directive 99/92/EC (sometimes known as ATEX 137), but it also incorporates parts of the Chemical Agents Directive 98/24/EC relating to physical safety (this is why DSEAR considers energy releasing events and corrosion, whereas ATEX does not).
The objective of DSEAR is to ensure that risks to people from dangerous substances - including fires, explosions, energy releasing events, and corrosion - are properly assessed and eliminated or mitigated.
When Does DSEAR Apply?
DSEAR applies wherever dangerous substances are present in the workplace and is a legal requirement in the UK. There are some exceptions - ships and offshore activities, areas used for medical treatment of patients, domestic gas pipework and appliances, manufacture and storage or transport of explosives or chemically unstable substances, and any activities at quarries or boreholes covered by their respective regulations.
What is a DSEAR Dangerous Substance?
A DSEAR dangerous substance is defined as “any substance or preparation which, because of its properties or the way it is used, could cause harm to people from fires and explosions”. Dangerous substances also include those with the potential energy for releasing events, corrosion, and exothermic thermal runaway reactions. Dangerous substances are typically:
Flammable gases (e.g. natural gas, hydrogen, propane)
Flammable liquids and vapours (e.g. alcohol, petrol, solvents)
Flammable mists (e.g. diesel or kerosene released under pressure)
Combustible dusts (e.g. wood, metal, plastic, grain, and most organic dusts)
Batteries (incl. Li-ion and Ni-Cd due to thermal runaway of the electrolyte, and Lead-Acid due to battery gassing during charging)
Pressurised inert gases (e.g. carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon)
Substances corrosive to metal (e.g. acids, bases, oxidisers)
Does DSEAR Apply to Small Quantities?
There is no minimum quantity of dangerous substance in the regulations under which DSEAR does not apply; however, the risk assessment should be proportionate to the hazards present.
Guidance for hazardous area classification published by the Energy Institute (EI 15) is sometimes cited to avoid hazardous area classification as it states thresholds above which area classification is required (implying it is not required below these levels) - for example, it states that a capacity of 25 L of flammable liquid at a temperature above its flash point is required for area classification. However, this guidance is designed for the petrochemical industries, so may not be applicable to a solvent store for a paint booth, and should be used with caution.
What Does DSEAR Require?
DSEAR requires the following steps to be taken:
Conduct a risk assessment wherever a dangerous substance could be present, and eliminate or reduce the risks to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)
Record the findings of the risk assessment if there are five or more employees
Determine where explosive atmospheres could occur and the likelihood of their presence and duration - these are known as hazardous zones, and the process of determining these is known as Hazardous Area Classification (HAC)
Mark places where explosive atmospheres could occur with appropriate Ex signage
Select equipment and protective systems which are suitable for use in the designated hazardous zones (i.e. ATEX rated equipment and fire or explosion protection devices), and ensure personnel have appropriate anti-static clothing and PPE
Verify the explosion safety of the workplace before it is used for the first time - known as DSEAR Verification
Implement suitable emergency response plans
Provide employees with suitable information and training on the hazards they might encounter
Identify pipes and containers in line with relevant legislation (e.g. CLP legislation)
Where there is a shared workplace, employers must co-ordinate the implementation of all requirements of DSEAR
Do I Need An Explosion Protection Document (EPD)?
It is not a requirement of DSEAR to create an Explosion Protection Document (EPD). An EPD is a centralised document which describes the explosion hazards at a workplace and how they are controlled. An EPD is a requirement of the ATEX Workplace Directive 99/92/EC, but is sometimes adopted by companies in the UK as it can be a useful way to record and demonstrate both the technical and organisational safety measures which have been assessed and implemented.
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