What is DSEAR?

DSEAR stands for Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, which requires employers to keep workers safe from the risks of fire, explosions and substances corrosive to metals.

DSEAR ensures that people are protected from these risks to their safety in the workplace, and to any members of the public that are in proximity of the working activities.

Both fire and health and safety assessments can be carried out to highlight where DSEAR regulations need to come into place, where the assessments find any issues involving dangerous substances and explosives that aren’t properly managed and controlled.

If a fire assessment was to flag a potential fire or explosion risk due to dangerous substances, DSEAR regulations can then be put in place to control and prevent an incident from taking place.

Fires and explosions create harmful physical effects, such as thermal radiation, oxygen depletion and overpressure effects. Substances that are corrosive to metal may cause damage to structures containing metal, which can reduce structural integrity.

Employers must:

• Find out what dangerous substances are in their workplace and what the risks are.
• Put control measures in place to either remove those risks or control them.
• Reduce the effects of any incidents involving dangerous substances by introducing control measures.
• Prepare plans and procedures to deal with any accidents and emergencies involving dangerous substances.
• Inform employees and train them to control or deal with the risks from the dangerous substances.
• Identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources in those areas.

Contact us if you require further information.