DSEAR Regulations: All You Need to Know

DSEAR Regulations: All You Need to Know

Wednesday 14 June

DSEAR requirements affect a huge variety of businesses sector-wide, particularly those with hazardous areas, and are ultimately in place to protect employees and members of the public. Although their purpose is straightforward, some aspects of DSEAR such as which substances are covered, can be confusing.

Luckily, we’re here to break down DSEAR regulations and offer you advice on how to keep your workplace compliant.

What exactly is DSEAR?

DSEAR is the abbreviation for the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. The regulations feature a set of requirements for business owners to reduce the risks of harm to people that could result from dangerous substances.

One of the biggest questions surrounding DSEAR is, are they a legal requirement? And the answer is yes, businesses have a legal obligation to assess and control risks in their workplace. 

What is considered a dangerous substance?

Simply put, dangerous substances cover any substances or mixtures of substances which could cause danger in the form of fires, thermal runaway or metal corrosion. This includes:

• Flammable gases (such as LPG)
• Pressurised gases
• Solvents
• Paints
• Dusts (from machining, sanding and food production)
• Substances corrosive to metal

If a substance in your workplace has physical properties such as a high flash point, that could lead to a fire or explosion, then this must be covered by DSEAR regulations. 

Which industries fall under DSEAR?

As previously mentioned, DSEAR regulations affect many businesses due to the wide amount of substances that can potentially cause fire or explosions. In our experience, the most prevalent industries are:

• Petrochemical sites
• Businesses that store fuel
• Manufacturers that handle waste dusts
• Laboratories that use flammable solvents
• Retailers who stock flammable goods

How do I comply with DSEAR?

There are 6 key measures you must put in place to reduce the risks concerned with DSEAR:

1. Assess the risks

You must assess the risks of the dangerous substances that surround your work. This includes the examination of the dangerous substances present, the activities surrounding them and how these factors can cause potential harm.

2. Prevent or control known risks

Once risks are identified, measures have to be put in place to either completely eliminate the risks or lessen them as much as possible. In some cases, this can mean swapping out substances or finding new working methods (substitution). 

3. Put control measures in place

If there is no way of eliminating the identified dangerous substance, the next best thing is to put control measures in place. For example, avoiding ignition sources and controlling the release of dangerous substances.

4. Have a plan set

In the unfortunate event of an emergency, plans and procedures must be in place which include:

• Safety drills
• Communication and warning systems
• Equipment for repair workers

These measures must be proportionate to the risk and these emergency plans must be made available to the emergency services.

5. Keep employees informed 

DSEAR regulations are in place to protect employees, and so they must be kept informed with the appropriate information and training. Employees need to be told about the dangerous substances present and their risks, assessment findings, control measures and emergency procedures.

6. Identify areas of risk

This measure pertains particularly to explosive atmospheres, and if they are present at your property, then they must be identified and correctly classified to reduce the dangers surrounding ignition sources.

We have previously shared a helpful guide on classifying ATEX areas, read further in-depth here.

How can I get a DSEAR assessment?

It’s noted that a DSEAR assessment must be completed by a ‘competent person’, and though there are no solid qualifiers for this definition, the individual must have detailed knowledge of the regulations and the experience to support this.

Due to the nature of DSEAR and the risks surrounding dangerous substances, it is always a good idea to rely on the advice of a professional. 

The next steps

Here at SR Electrical Services, we can take the stress of getting your head around this legislation away! We carry out in-depth inspections and assessments of your workplace to ensure that they comply with DSEAR regulations.

Our team are experts in hazardous areas with accreditations from CompEx, ECA and NICEIC. If you require advice on the mentioned regulations, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here.