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Achieving DSEAR compliance

DSEAR regulations ensure fire and explosion hazard control. Compliance involves risk assessments, verification, and measures like explosion protection design. Read more in Marsh Advisory’s blog.
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By Michael Merritt , 

Process Safety Specialist, Workforce Strategies, Marsh Advisory

01/03/2024 · 2 minute read

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) ensures that employers effectively identify and control potential fire and explosion hazards in the workplace. It is crucial that all organisations handling, storing, manufacturing, or producing flammable substances adhere to these regulations. 

DSEAR should be considered in all operational aspects from design, specification, construction, and commissioning. This will ensure that the risks posed to personnel from fires, explosions, and dangerous substances are fully understood, effectively managed, and controlled. 

Despite DSEAR coming into effect over 20 years ago, some plants and processes may still be running with unsatisfactory risk assessments or no risk assessment at all. Consequently, these plants, and the businesses that manage them, are operating at an unknown level of risk.

Globally, fires and explosions continue to occur in workplaces involving combustible dusts, gases, and vapours. Unfortunately, many incidents result in human injury and fatality. It is, therefore, vitally important that a comprehensive and up to date DSEAR assessment has been carried out to help negate these risks. 

All assessment findings should be actioned and the assessment itself regularly reviewed. Reviews are particularly important when design changes or amendments to either plants or processes are being explored.

Effective measures for DSEAR compliance and risk mitigation include:

  • DSEAR gap assessment 
    This is a screening tool that provides visibility into current compliance against regulatory requirements. A ranking system is used to identify gaps and highlight where improvement measures are required.
  • DSEAR risk assessment
    DSEAR Regulation 5 requires an assessment of many key risk areas, such as identification of flammable atmospheres, a defined Basis of Safety, a detailed ignition source assessment, effective mitigation measures, and the formulation of a Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) with due consideration to natural or mechanical ventilation. All key areas must be satisfied for DSEAR compliance.
  • DSEAR verification assessment 
    As required by DSEAR Regulation 7(4), new plant or processes must ensure the proposed Basis of Safety is being upheld. A verification assessment must be completed prior to first time operation.
  • Explosion protection design and validation 
    Organisations must use empirical formulae from both national and international standards to allow for the correct design of new and validation of existing explosion relief measures. 
  • Non-Electrical (Mechanical) Ignition Hazard Assessments (NEEIRA) 
    Organisations must assess existing non-ATEX (ATmosphères EXplosibles) compliant mechanical equipment within a hazardous zone or of zones inside relevant equipment to ensure suitability.
  • Electrostatic assessments 
    These assessments can help identify potential electrostatic ignition concerns in plant and processes, while providing guidance on how these risks should be controlled or mitigated.

DSEAR regulations should be followed and complied with throughout the lifecycle of a plant or process to keep your people, property, and business safe and resilient. 

For further information and assistance on assessing your risk and complying with DSEAR regulations, reach out to your Marsh Advisory contacts. 

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