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Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres (DSEAR)

Two European Directives (ATEX 137 and ATEX 95) came into force at the end of 2002. In the UK these regulations are implemented through the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation 2002 (DSEAR). Together these regulations address an employer’s responsibilities towards workers and the public in relation to hazardous areas in the workplace. Following a transition period, all workplaces are now required to meet the requirements of the DSEAR Regulation.

The regulations apply to almost every business, and importantly to both electrical and non-electrical ignition sources. They stipulate that, as far as practical, the risks associated with hazardous substances should be eliminated; where it is not possible to eleiminate the risks, they should be reduced as far as possible and appropriate measures put in place to mitigate their effects. Furthermore, staff should be trained, and suitable equipment provided, to deal with forseeable incidents, accidents and emergency situations.

Requirements

The DSEAR Regulations state that Employers must:

  • Carry out risk assessments for any activities that involove dangerous susbstances.
  • Eliminate or reduce that risk to tolerable levels, through the use of appropriate equipment, procedures, personal protection equipment (PPE) and medical screening as appropriate.
  • Provide information about the potential risks and train employees in the use of equipment.
  • Classify areas where explosive atmospheres can occur into zones, produce hazardoius area drawings identifying the extent of these zones, and mark the areas with ATEX-approved signage.
  • Ensure that correctly rated electrical and mechanical equipment is specified and used within the hazard zones, and that the equipment is correctly maintained such that it remains suitable for use in the hazardous area.
  • Provide arrangements to handle accidents and emergencies, and have controls in place to mitigate the efects of any incidents involving dangerous substances.
  • Mark, label or identify the hazardous contents of all containment systems.
  • Where the workplace is shared with others, they must co-ordinate explosion and fire protection measures.
  • All safety procedures and systems must be regularly reviewed.


Vectra Capability

Vectra’s extensive experience in providing safety and risk consultancy to the oil and gas, process chemical and power (fossil and nuclear) industries has provided us with the knowledge and tools to allow us to rapidly evaluate and deliver DSEAR / ATEX assessments and demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Our recommended approach to the demonstration of compliance with DSEAR is to complete a risk assessment and gap analysis.  This allows an action plan to be developed and costed, which is comensurate with the level of risk presented by your activities, and will lead to full compliance with the legislation.

Vectra can provide all services associated with DSEAR compliance including:

  • Classification of hazardous areas (zoning) based on BS EN 60079-10, BS EN 61241-10, as well as industry specific guidelines such as IP-15, or where appropriate by use of numerical methods to calculate the extent of zones
  • Preparation (or audit) of DSEAR / ATEX risk assessments (including both electrical and mechanical equipment)
  • Specification of criteria for selection of equipment and protective systems (development of performance standards)
  • Advice on the elimination, reduction or mitigation of risks associated with hazardous substances
  • Advice on the provision and position of warning signs and marking of containers and pipes
  • Development of written schemes of examination / verification to ensure equipment remains appropriate for use in hazardous areas, and ongoing compliance with the DSEAR regulations (BS EN 60079-17), using risk based methodologies based on API580 to optimise inspection expenditure and prioritise those areas presentingthe greatest risk exposure.
  • DSEAR gap analysis and Action Plan development providing costed and prioritised plans leading to full regulatory compliance
  • Audit of facilities to Carry out risk assessments for any activities that involove dangerous susbstances.
  • Eliminate or reduce that risk to tolerable levels, through the use of appropriate equipment, procedures, personal protection equipment (PPE) and medical screening as appropriate.

Download DSEAR / ATEX Compliance Flier