DSEAR ASSESSMENT
A DSEAR Risk Assessment is required where flammable gases, vapours, liquids or combustible dusts may create a fire or explosion risk.
Established in 2016, we are specialists in DSEAR Assessments, and have developed a strong reputation for delivering practical DSEAR risk assessments that identify hazardous areas, assess ignition sources and help clients implement effective solutions to achieve compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
01656 470 044
DSEAR RISK ASSESSMENT
A DSEAR Risk Assessment is required where flammable gases, vapours, liquids or combustible dusts may create a fire or explosion risk.
Established in 2016, we are specialists in DSEAR Assessments, and have developed a strong reputation for delivering practical DSEAR risk assessments that identify hazardous areas, assess ignition sources and help clients implement effective solutions to achieve compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
01656 470 044
What is a DSEAR Risk Assessment?
A DSEAR assessment meaning can sometimes be a complicated answer. We have tried to simplify it for you here.
A DSEAR Assessment is a systematic review of a process and substances against strict criteria to determine, first of all if it is explosive, then how to eliminate ignition sources to prevent fire and / or explosions. It also considers the impact and severity of explosions such as the overpressure release and explosion suppression or venting to safe areas.
Furthermore, it identifies the zones which are explosive and defines them into a classification based on likelihood and composition if it is a Powder / Dust or if it is a Gas / Vapor. This is the Hazardous Area Classification (HAC).
The next bit is the most important. What to do with the information from the assessment. We pride our service on a very thorough assessment followed through with all practical and easy to understand recommendations and actions to become compliant.
A DSEAR risk assessment will identify any risks associated with your facility and substances so we can take steps to reduce them together – We will not just give you a list of things to do yourself!
You may see a DSEAR Assessment Example or DSEAR Assessment Template online, but the devil is in the detail. We are happy to give advice on doing the assessment for anyone wanting some pointers. Afterall, our business is about building relationships, not just doing odd jobs.
Please see our Free Resources for a redacted DSEAR Assessment example pdf report and other free documents.
What is ATEX and DSEAR?
ATEX is the term derived from “AT”mosphere and “EX”plosive which is a European Union directive that sets the expected safety requirements and standards for workplace explosive atmospheres.
The definition of explosive atmosphere can be summarised as the mixture of a flammable or combustible substance (gas, fume, vapour, dust, or powder), that in significant amount of concentration and suspended in air, may ignite when introduced to a source of ignition.
The DSEAR regulations and DSEAR Assessments are the UK implementation of EU standards:
What are duty holders required to do under DSEAR?
The DSEAR Regulations 2002 outline specific for those with responsibility of managing workplaces where potentially explosive atmospheres exist to risk assess the facility, implement suitable control measures and arrangements to be deemed acceptable risk and compliant.
A DSEAR Risk Assessment is a legal requirement for any workplaces that handle, store, and use dangerous substances.
The main regulations outlined by the HSE within the DSEAR Regulations 2002 documentation include the following:
What is a Dangerous Substance?
The DSEAR regulations explain the main characteristics for what is deemed a dangerous substance, but for simplicity, if a substance is classified as flammable (below 60 Degrees Celsius flashpoint) or stored at a temperature of within 60 degrees of its flashpoint (I.E., heated oils), this is classified as a dangerous substance.
The regulations also apply to higher flashpoint substances stored under high pressure – for example, Glycol is a refrigerant substance and has a flashpoint of 100 to 110 Degrees Celsius, however if used under pressure of over 10barg and a leak occurs, this creates a spray and atomises the substance significantly increasing the flammability.
It is important to consider the flashpoint if it is suspended in air AND the pressure it is contained under.
The most effective means to do this is through a DSEAR risk assessment.
Sometimes this can be done as a desktop exercise to determine if it is classified as a Dangerous substance or not – Please contact us for information if this may be the case.
As a general rule and industry standards, the below is a list of the most commonly known industry substances and processes (this is a common list and not a complete list):
Download our DSEAR risk assessment template to help you understand what a good DSEAR assessment should include and when specialist support may be needed. If you need any help using the DSEAR Assessment template, please get in touch with us.
Here is a link to our Contact Us page, or our specialists Ryan ( rldavies@orbisenvironmental.com ) and Dan ( d.moisey@orbisenvironmental.com).
Download our DSEAR risk assessment template to help you understand what a good DSEAR assessment should include and when specialist support may be needed. If you need any help using the DSEAR Assessment template, please get in touch with us.
Here is a link to our Contact Us page, or our specialists Ryan ( rldavies@orbisenvironmental.com ) and Dan ( d.moisey@orbisenvironmental.com).
DSEAR Assessment
We are Orbis Environmental. Our team are experts in DSEAR assessments. We have built an unrivalled reputation for delivering practical risk assessments that identify hazardous areas and assess ignition sources. Speak to us about how we can help to you stay compliant with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
We are Orbis Environmental. Our team are experts in DSEAR assessments. We have built an unrivalled reputation for delivering practical risk assessments that identify hazardous areas and assess ignition sources. Speak to us about how we can help to you stay compliant with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
Really good training delivered these past few days. Ryan’s knowledge and experience really comes through and explains things on a different subject very well. Very approachable and helpful. Would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants an overview into the world of DSEAR.
Network Rail
Network Rail
As a Business, we where recommended the course delivered by Orbis. Having received the training from Ed, I can honestly say we (the attendees) are better placed to support our respective contracts with DSEAR aspects.
Babcock International
Babcock International
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Orbis Environmental and Safety for many years as strategic partners, and the experience has been consistently outstanding. Their customer service is second to none—always responsive, professional, and genuinely committed to client success.
RMS
RMS
DSEAR ASSESSMENT
Established in 2016, Orbis Environmental are specialists in DSEAR risk assessments and have developed a strong reputation for delivering practical solutions across a wide range of industries and sectors.
We work with clients in manufacturing, chemicals, laboratories, engineering, food production, energy, storage and logistics and many other environments where flammable substances and dusts may be present.
Our approach is unique. We do more than provide a report. We work with you to implement practical solutions and guide you through your DSEAR Assessments, not simply give you a list of things to do yourself.
Hazardous area classifications are developed using standards such as Energy Institute and BS EN 60079-10 and engineering judgement, ensuring zones are accurate and proportionate to the risk. We avoid over protecting, creating operational or equipment challenges for your site.
01656 470 044
DSEAR ASSESSMENT
Established in 2016, Orbis Environmental are specialists in DSEAR risk assessments and have developed a strong reputation for delivering practical solutions across a wide range of industries and sectors.
We work with clients in manufacturing, chemicals, laboratories, engineering, food production, energy, storage and logistics and many other environments where flammable substances and dusts may be present.
Our approach is unique. We do more than provide a report. We work with you to implement practical solutions and guide you through your DSEAR Assessments, not simply give you a list of things to do yourself.
Hazardous area classifications are developed using standards such as Energy Institute and BS EN 60079-10 and engineering judgement, ensuring zones are accurate and proportionate to the risk. We avoid over protecting, creating operational or equipment challenges for your site.
01656 470 044
What is NOT a Dangerous Substance under DSEAR?
Although the below list has the potential to explode, they are either not relatable to a dangerous substance, or are covered by other regulations and so a DSEAR assessment is not needed for:
NOTE – These may be possible ignition sources to other DSEAR Zones and so should be considered as part of the scope, but not the reason for a DSEAR Assessment.
Why do we need to do a DSEAR Risk Assessment?
The DSEAR regulations identifies the minimum legal requirements to managing the risk of fire and explosion for hazardous substances and this sets the legal objective to complete a DSEAR Risk Assessment in the first instance. Within the DSEAR regulations, the health, and Safety Executive (HSE) expect the following:
How Much Does a DSEAR Assessment Cost?
The DSEAR Assessment Cost does vary depending on the size and complexity of any particular project.
A typical cost for the DSEAR Assessment will be in the region of £2200 to £3400 depending on size and complexity.
This includes a full site inspection and DSEAR risk assessment, Hazardous area classification and detailed action plan. We also provide a detailed handover by revisiting site or via videocall, and wherever needed, ongoing support to implement control measures.
A full report will be issued within 10 to 15 working days of the site inspection.
Please get in touch to chat through the exact details of your project – our specialist Health and Safety support experts will walk you through the full process.
What are the benefits of a DSEAR Assessment?
A DSEAR risk assessment will identify the risks associated with your workplace in regard to the substances and the process, to allow appropriate action to be taken. Also, achieving compliance to the DSEAR regulations will demonstrate that the business is managing risk and adopting safe management systems and arrangements.
While working with our clients, we commonly look for the most effective control measures and solutions to achieve compliance, but we also work with clients to ensure we have followed the hierarchy of control as well as the most cost-effective solutions.
What is included within a DSEAR Risk Assessment?
The DSEAR assessment typically involves a 1–2-day site visit, where are a specialist consultant will review all management arrangements and walk the whole site looking at storage, handling, and use of dangerous substances to determine a true picture of all activities and risk profile.
We create a register of the substances and review any material safety documentation and any previous or published explosion data. We sometimes have much of this to hand for similar substances from experience with other similar projects.
From there we review the potential ignition sources, release rates and concentrations, temperatures, ventilation, and other control arrangements to determine the risk profile and create the risk assessment and Hazardous area classification.
We review all documentation and arrangements such as fire risk management, training, electrical inspection, and testing etc and make recommendation on the most effective options to achieve compliance and manage risk.
We model our services around our main goal which is to help the client. We have a strict process to make sure we are representing you, the client and not just causing more hassle to add to your existing ever-long list of things to do.
We achieve this by having a very detailed but VERY clear Risk Assessment template, which includes a fully descriptive and detailed action plan explaining exactly what action to take in order to achieve compliance and acceptable risk levels.
Our Chartered consultants will lead all DSEAR projects and combined with a very detailed understanding of your industry, we undertake an in-depth review of the following:
Please see our Free Resources for a redacted a DSEAR Assessment example report.
Who can do a DSEAR Assessment?
DSEAR Risk Assessment competency is a very important question.
To be able to complete a DSEAR Assessment, the HSE have stated within their DSEAR ACOP that someone “Competent” must complete the assessment.
This does not really shed much light on the required competency, however having a detailed knowledge of the DSEAR regulations combined with years of experience in high-risk sectors sure will go a long way.
With DSEAR assessor trained staff and over 10 years working in industries with explosive atmospheres, we have time and time again satisfied the HSE of our competence to complete DSEAR Assessments for our clients, so not only will you get a great service and a service that flows through with all identified actions, but you will also be in very confident and competent safe hands.
How often should a DSEAR Assessment be carried out?
As with all other risk assessments and inspections, the DSEAR assessment should be regularly reviewed and updated. Depending on the risk levels of the operations, the HSE generally recommends that DSEAR be updated every 3-5 years.
Normally a DSEAR Assessment should be completed as soon as any potential explosive atmospheres are identified. Ideally in a design sage but more often than not, it is after things are already in place.
If you do have a facility that has a high risk or large volumes of substances, the DSEAR assessment could be reviewed as soon as 6 months after the initial assessment.
That said, however 1 year review after the assessment is most common, and when all actions are closed and compliant, 3-5 years can be very acceptable from there on.
Of course, if things change or you introduce new substances, this will trigger a review, however, if it is a continuation of the initial DSEAR Assessment, the cost is significantly reduced for small changes. A full redo is not needed.
DSEAR Conclusion
The Dangerous substance and Explosive atmosphere regulations identifies the legal requirements to ensure a safe workplace and to manage the risk from potential fires and explosions.
DSEAR assessments are a significant part of the risk assessment approach to identify hazards and implement appropriate control measures and arrangements.
DSEAR Assessments should be robust, cover all processes and substances and also be undertaken by someone with very good industry and DSEAR expertise.
The aim is to be compliant, have safe operations and to adopt pragmatic and cost-effective solutions.
We keep you up to date and in the know regarding complance and legislation, in all areas of health and safety.
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01656 470 044
