Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) We have over 16 years’ experience of completing DSEAR assessments in a diverse range of workplace environments. All five of our DSEAR consultants are qualified with SGS BASEEFA and have many years individual experience in completing assessments of industrial processes.
DSEAR compliments the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) as it’s concerned with the assessment and control of physical risks, whereas COSHH focuses on health risks. Quite often processes will involve the use or storage of hazardous substances which are not only harmful to health, but also create potentially explosive atmospheres and we can also offer an integrated approach to assessing both (with a potential cost saving to you), since many of our DSEAR experts are also qualified occupational hygienists with chemical industry expertise. We also make sure that the noise and air monitoring equipment we use for hygiene work is ATEX/IEC rated for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Dsear Zones
DSEAR has two important components to get to grips with. The Dangerous Substances part usually requires the recognition and control of substances which can cause a hazardous reaction or other physical event, and often involves scrutiny of the chemical & physical properties of substances followed by an evaluation of segregation practices, chemical mixing methods, temperature controls and storage conditions where relevant.
The Explosive Atmosphere part of DSEAR involves a careful examination of any situation where dusts, mists, vapours and gases can mix with air to form a potentially explosive atmosphere. Once these have been identified and their extent defined through a process known as Hazardous Area Classification (referred to as Classification of Hazardous Places in DSEAR and described as Zones), it is then necessary to look at electrical and non-electrical equipment within these zones and whether this equipment is adequately protected to avoid ignition. The assessment of explosive atmosphere risks in a multi-process environment often requires very careful consideration of risk factors and controls.
The following is an example of the kind of industrial installations and the processes we regularly assess:
| Type Of Environment | Type of DS or EA |
|---|---|
| Warehousing of aerosols | Butane gas propellant release |
| Plastics granulation | Explosive dust release |
| Polyurethane moulding | Isocyanate hazardous reaction |
| GRP Moulding | Solvent vapour releases |
| Storage & dispensing of LPG | Propane gas release |
| Storage & dispensing of petrol | Petrol vapour release |
| Paint storage, mixing and spraying | Solvent vapour releases |
| Wood and MDF machining | Wood and MDF machining |
| Printing | Flammable vapour releases |
| Aerospace machining of carbon fibres | Explosive dust release |
| Titanium, steel & aluminium foundries | Molten metal hazardous reaction |
| Aluminium grinding and sanding | Explosive dust release |
| Alcoholic drinks manufacture | Ethanol vapour release |
| Covid-19 hand sanitiser storage | Ethanol/isopropanol vapour release |
| Food mixing (human and animal feed) | Explosive dust releases |
| Electroplating & surface finishing | Hazardous reactions (various) & hydrogen release |
| Pharmaceutical manufacture | Explosive dust release |
| Battery charging | Hydrogen gas release |
| Effluent treatment | Use of corrosive water treatment chemicals |
| Industrial gasses storage and use | Pressurised gas release & segregation/danger class |
| Laboratories | Flammable solvents and hazardous reactions |
| Heat treatment | Endo gas generation |
| Celluloid film storage & screening of film | Degeneration hazardous reaction |
All our DSEAR assessments are carried out in line with DSEAR Regulation 5, Schedule 1 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and DSEAR ACoP L138.
