The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR 2002)

The DSEAR 2002 was first introduced in 2003 to ensure the safe storage and use of potentially explosive substances for workplaces that were either built or modified after the 30th June 2003. The legislation puts duties on employers and the self-employed to reduce the risks from fires, explosions and other similar events for any individual in the workplace (e.g. employee, visitor etc). The legislation identifies numerous dangerous substances in the workplace including petrol, paint, varnishes, solvents, LPG and welding gas.

On the 1st of July this year (2006) the second implementation date came into force - this has seen the DSEAR 2002 become effective for all businesses within the UK

(there are some exemptions for mining and offshore oil and gas production - see www.hse.gov.uk for further details).

When does DSEAR 2002 apply?

Apart from certain activities involving ships (see www.hse.gov.uk for details) the DSEAR legislation applies :

• To work carried out by an employer (or the self employed)
• Where a dangerous substance is present in the workplace
• The dangerous substance could be a risk to the safety of any person (employee, visitor, customer etc) in the workplace

Examples (but not the full list) of activities and items included with the DSEAR are:

• Storage and display of flammable goods, such as paints
• Filling, storing and handling aerosols with flammable propellants, such as LPG
• Storage of petrol as a fuel for cars, boats etc
• Handling and storage of flammable wastes such as fuel oils
• Use of flammable gases for welding
• Use of flammable solvents in laboratories

What does DSEAR require?

The DSEAR places duties on employers (and the self-employed) to assess and eliminate or reduce risks from dangerous substances. To comply with the legislation companies will need to:

Assess and eliminate or reduce risks

• Identify dangerous substances
• Identify those activities that involve the dangerous substances
• Assess the ways in which those substances and current work practices could harm people in the workplace
• If the employer has 5 or more employees they must record the significant findings of the risk assessment

Click here for details on Setons risk assessment software that is designed to be used in any risk assessment situation

Prevent and control risks

Employers must put control measures in place to eliminate or reduce risks (as far as is reasonably practicable) from dangerous substances. This can done by:

• Replacing dangerous substances with another substance, or by changing a work process to eliminate the risk is often the best solution
• Where it is not practical to eliminate the risk, it may be possible to reduce it. For example, replacing a low flashpoint liquid with a high flashpoint one.

Control measures

Where the risk cannot be eliminated DSEAR requires control measures to be applied in the following priority order:

• Reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum
• Avoid or minimise releases of dangerous substances
• Control releases of dangerous substances at source
• Prevent the formation of a dangerous atmosphere
• Collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place (for example, through ventilation)
• Avoid ignition sources, e.g. use ATEX approved torches (click here to view our range of Peli ATEX torches)
• Avoid adverse conditions (for example, exceeding the limits of temperature or control settings) that could lead to danger
• Keep incompatible substances apart, e.g. use lockable COSHH cabinets to separate dangerous substances (click here to view our range of COSHH cabinets.)

Mitigation

These measures should be consistent with your risk assessment and appropriate to the activity or operation and include:

• Reducing the number of employees exposed to the risk
• Providing explosion suppression or explosion relief equipment
• Taking measures to control or minimise the spread of fires or explosions (click here to view our range of fire extinguishers)
• Providing suitable personal protective equipment (click here to view our range of PPE including protective gloves, chemical clothing and safety footwear )

Emergency Plans

Plans and procedures should be in place and cover safety drills and suitable communication and warning systems (click here for details on our emergency escape route planner ). If an emergency occurs, workers who carry out the repairs or other work must be provided with the appropriate equipment to allow them to carry out this work safely.
The information in the emergency plans and procedures must be made available to the emergency services. One of the ways of doing this is storing copies in an holder that is easily recognised in an emergency (click here for details on our fire safety document holder )

Providing information, instruction and training

Employees must be informed, instructed and trained on the dangerous substances present in the workplace and the risks they present (click here for details on our COSHH training video ). Safety data sheets must be available as should any other information on other legislation that may apply to that dangerous substance. The same applies for the risk assessment findings, control measures and the emergency procedures that are in place.

Places where explosive atmospheres may occur (ATEX requirements)

• Identify and classify (zoning) areas where potentially explosive atmospheres may occur.
• Where necessary, identify the entrances to zoned areas
  • There is some confusion over which symbol should be displayed in order to conform to DSEAR 2002. The symbol displayed in the DSEAR regulations is the "EX" symbol as shown below.
    Click here to view our full range of "EX" signs.
    

    However, this symbol does not comply with current British Standards, and there is the possibility that DSEAR will be amended to align with British Standards. In order to promote best practice, and ensure full compliance with ISO 7010 and BS5499 Part 5 2002, we advise you use the symbol shown below which is the recognised British Standard symbol for an explosive hazard (supported by proven comprehension testing).
    Click here to view our full range of BS Standard symbol signs.
    
    

• Provide appropriate anti-static clothing for employees (click here for our anti-static D-Ring Boot)
• Before they come into operation, verifying the overall explosion protection safety of areas where explosive atmospheres may occur

Where can I find further information on DSEAR?

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/dsear.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2003/e03223.htm

Click here for details on our DSEAR 2002 poster that covers 'what causes a explosive atmosphere', 'activities affected' and a 'checklist of requirements'.

This article is aimed to assist with the understanding of the DSEAR legislation - to ensure compliance with the legislation it is recommended that you review the full DSEAR document http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022776.htm and conduct your own review of the legislation and the appropriate risk assessment.