DSEAR Consultants:
DSEAR Assessments, DSEAR Compliance & HAC
What is a DSEAR Assessment?
Dangerous substances can put people’s safety at risk from fires and explosions. DSEAR legislation requires employers and the self-employed to protect employees from these risks to their safety in the workplace, and to members of the general public who may be put at risk by work activity.
How can Sigma-HSE support you with a DSEAR assessment?
Our consultants undertake DSEAR assessments and Hazardous Area Classification studies in a holistic way to eliminate fire and explosion risks that cover employees and non-employees across UK sites.
By implementing best practices by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), our actionable insights determine what practicable control measures and recommendations should be made for your company to optimise safety and introduce suitable control measures to reduce the level of risk to people, business, workplace and environment.
If you find yourself asking ‘Do I need a DSEAR risk assessment?’, you can find out by taking our quick DSEAR compliance quiz.
Our DSEAR assessments include:
-
Full site inspection and risk assessment from our qualified consultants
-
Identification of dangerous substances that may apply under DSEAR
-
Hazardous Area Classification drawings (if required)
-
Advice on area signage, labelling requirements and control measures
-
Guidance on equipment and protective systems intended to adhere with potentially explosive atmospheres regulations
-
Basis of Safety for each site process
-
A prioritised & realistic action plan to mitigate any risks
-
Follow-on support such as bespoke DSEAR training courses
The Sigma-HSE Advantage
Sigma-HSE is your single solution provider for DSEAR assessments and DSEAR compliance. Whether it’s a new design, a review of existing processes during normal operation or a plan to deal with future emergencies or incidents involving dangerous substances, our dedicated team of specialist engineers and process consultants are committed to helping you ensure and maintain compliance without the exorbitant fees and delay to your operations.
We can also aid you in complying with the following explosive atmospheres regulations:
- HAC Study (Hazardous Area Classification)
- Dust Hazard Analysis
- Electrostatic Hazard Analysis
- Emergency Relief Sizing
- Basis of Safety
- Emergency Procedures
- Testing for the explosivity/flammability of a potentially dangerous substances or chemicals
- DSEAR management systems – maintenance & competence
- Permit to work
- Management of Change
- SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures)
- DSEAR Risk Assessment Training
- Relevant Safety Data Sheet Guidance
Get a Free DSEAR Consultation
Fill out the form below and one of our DSEAR experts will be in touch to discuss your project
Adhere with explosive atmosphere regulations via a DSEAR assessment
Let us guide you towards DSEAR compliance by identifying, mitigating and eliminating the hazards associated with explosive atmospheres. Learn more about how we can assist you with a DSEAR assessment today to keep your people, business and the environment safe from fire and explosions.
Communal DSEAR Assessment by Sigma-HSE
Food Industry Brand Made Significant Savings When Sigma-HSE Re-Evaluated an Internal HAC
“Sigma-HSE completed DSEAR assessments for multiple chemical inventory sites around the UK with flawless execution.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the focus of the DSEAR assessment and DSEAR Regulations?
DSEAR is, in effect, a risk assessment. As part of these assessments of risks, DSEAR requires that a hazard must be present – this is usually the presence of an explosive atmosphere and an effective source of ignition.
The key requirements for complying with the regulations revolve around the completion of a thorough risk assessment and the undertaking of a Hazardous Area Classification (HAC).
Ultimatley, the assessment aims to provide a coherent focus for the identification and mitigation from:
- flammable substances with explosive and oxidising properties alongside substances corrosive to metal
- substances that can create explosive atmospheres
- work activities involving other substances that could create a fire, explosion or similar energetic (energy releasing) event e.g. runaway exothermic reactions, decomposition of unstable substances, dust explosions.
- the occurrence of industrial incidents caused by fires and explosions
What dangerous substances are included under DSEAR?
Dangerous substances include a wide variety of materials present in the workplace that can be classified as flammable, explosive or corrosive to metals. This can include gases, mists, vapours and other combustible materials such as dust and powders.
Examples of potentially dangerous substances found at work include:
-
bulk powders
-
chemical manufacturing by-products
-
flammable gases
-
flammable liquids
-
dust from machining and sanding operations
-
pressurised gases
-
flammable propellants
-
liquid petroleum gas
We offer testing services for a variety of potentially flammable substances and other chemicals including combustible dust & powder testing, flammable gases & vapour testing and electrostatic testing.
The testing of these dangerous substances will aid in characterising, preventing, protecting and mitigating workplace hazards to help you comply with DSEAR regulations.
What specific areas are considered under DSEAR?
DSEAR defines hazardous zones as a place where a potentially explosive atmospheres may or may not occur.
By defining an explosive atmosphere as a hazardous zone, special safeguards can be created in order to protect businesses, equipment, people, workplace and the environment.
A Hazardous Area Classification is used to identify risks in the places and areas of operation whereby control measures must be put in place i.e. intrinsically safe electrical equipment that conforms with the ATEX equipment directive (if necessary). These classifications make up an integral part of the DSEAR risk assessment and is required by law – see DSEAR Regulation 7.
How will I know if I need a DSEAR assessment?
Dangerous substances, as defined by DSEAR, is any substance in the workplace that could, if not properly controlled, lead to potential hazards when present in explosive atmospheres.
Compliance with DSEAR regulations, therefore, requires that the risks posed by such dangerous substances be removed or controlled to protect people from explosions and fire.
You will need a DSEAR if you deal with dangerous substances in the workplace.
How often should a DSEAR be undertaken?
A DSEAR assessment should always be reviewed if you believe your current DSEAR may be invalid.
Although this could include the standardised 3-5 year time frame, it is recommended that a risk assessment review should occur if you have recently had a near miss or if you have made a minor change to your process.
How much does a DSEAR assessment cost?
The cost of a DSEAR assessment with Sigma-HSE will range depending on factors such as:
- Size of plant or facility
- Type of DSEAR assessment (i.e., Review/Desktop/On-Site)
- Specific compliance needs
- Nature of your hazardous materials
You can get a free quote by filling in a form. Our team will get back to you asking for a couple of details and you will receive a quote in just a few days.