RISK ASSESSMENT
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres
Activity:
Department and Location:
Assessor:
Date:
Signed:
Date of Next Review:
Evaluation of Risk and Identification of Measures to Control Significant Hazards
Hazard Evaluation
Existing Control Measures
- List dangerous substances
- Describe nature of hazard (e.g. fire,
explosive)
- Briefly describe activities involving the
dangerous substance(s)
If the hazard cannot be eliminated or substituted what
measures are in place to control the hazard?
Consider engineering controls such as fume
cupboards / safety cabinets, safety procedures /
instructions / training, and personal protective
equipment.
Residual
Risk Level
- Effectively zero
- Low
- Medium
- High
Hazardous
Area
Classification:
(See Appendix 1)
- Non-hazardous
- Zone 0
- Zone 1
- Zone 2
Additional Control Measures?
(List any further controls that are
considered necessary to control the
risk)
Action
When?
- Long term
- Short term
- Immediate
Evaluation of Risk and Identification of Measures to Control Significant Hazards (continued)
Hazard Evaluation
Existing Control Measures
- List dangerous substances
- Describe nature of hazard (e.g. fire,
explosive)
- Briefly describe activities involving the
dangerous substance(s)
If the hazard cannot be eliminated or substituted what
measures are in place to control the hazard?
Consider engineering controls such as fume
cupboards / safety cabinets, safety procedures /
instructions / training, and personal protective
equipment.
Residual
Risk Level
- Effectively zero
- Low
- Medium
- High
Hazardous
Area
Classification:
(See Appendix 1)
- Non-hazardous
- Zone 0
- Zone 1
- Zone 2
Additional Control Measures?
(List any further controls that are
considered necessary to control risk)
Action
When?
- Long term
- Short term
- Immediate
Appendix 1
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES EXPLOSIVE ATMOSHPERES REGULATIONS: RISK MATRIX
DSEAR defines a ‘hazardous place’ as a place where an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities that require special precautions to protect
the health and safety of workers. 'Special precautions' means precautions to control potential ignition sources within the hazardous area,
particularly in relation to construction, installation and use of equipment.
No.
1
Likelihood
3
Extremely unlikely:
could not occur from foreseeable incident
Unlikely:
could occur but only through unlikely events
Likely
4
Very likely
5
Certain
2
Persistence
Transient:
a few seconds – 1 minute
Low persistence:
1 – 15 minutes
Persistent:
15 minutes – 1 hour
Very persistent:
hours
Continuous
Likelihood X Persistence =
Likelihood
1
2
3
4
5
1
1
2
3
4
5
2
2
4
6
8
10
Persistence
3
3
6
9
12
15
4
4
8
12
16
20
Classification of Zones
Non-hazardous zone
Zone 2
Zone 1
Zone 0
A place in which an explosive atmosphere will not / very unlikely to occur
in the normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for short period
only. N.B. Assigning places as ‘non-hazardous’ implies that no
special precautions are required to control ignition sources.
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air
of dangerous substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is not likely
to occur in the normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short
period only.
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air
of dangerous substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is likely to
occur in normal operation occasionally.
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air
of dangerous substances in the form of a gas, vapour or mist is present
continuously or for long periods or frequently.
5
5
10
15
20
25