SWANSEA UNIVERSITY – Document Ref: H&S/P20 Issue 002
Health and Safety Policy Arrangements
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres
Relevant Legislation
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure staff and students remain safe and healthy
in the working environment by the control of fire and explosion risks arising from
the use of dangerous substances.
Policy Statement
Swansea University recognises its duty under the Dangerous Substances and
Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002.
This policy shall apply to all Swansea University workplace activities including
research, teaching and operational activities.
DSEAR applies if:
1. a dangerous substance is present (or is liable to be present) at the
workplace and;
2. the dangerous substance could be a risk to the safety of people as
a result of fires, explosions or similar energetic events.
DSEAR is intended to protect not only employees at the workplace, but also any
other person whether at work or not who may be put at risk by dangerous
substances. This includes employees working for other employers, students,
visitors to the site and members of the public. However, when considering
arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies and the
provision of information, instruction and training, employers only have duties to
persons who are at their workplace.
Implementation
In order to ensure compliance University Colleges/Colleges and Support
Departments are required to:
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Carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous
substances. This should include the classification of explosive
atmospheres as per schedule 2 of the regulations:
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SWANSEA UNIVERSITY – Document Ref: H&S/P20 Issue 002
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Zone 0 – An explosive atmosphere (gas, vapour or mist) is present
continuously or for long periods
Zone 1 - An explosive atmosphere (gas, vapour or mist) is likely to occur
in normal operations occasionally
Zone 2 - An explosive atmosphere (gas, vapour or mist) is not likely to
occur in normal operations, but if it does, will persist for short periods only
Zone 20 - An explosive atmosphere in the form of combustible dust in air
is present continuously or for long periods
Zone 21 - An explosive atmosphere in the form of combustible dust in air
is likely to occur in normal operations occasionally
Zone 22 - An explosive atmosphere in the form of combustible dust in air
is not likely to occur in normal operations, but if it does, will persist for
short periods only
Provide technical and organisational measures to eliminate or reduce as
far as is reasonably practicable the identified risks;
Provide equipment and procedures to deal with accident and
emergencies;
Provide information and training to employees;
Classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones, and
mark the zones where necessary.
N.B.
The impact of DSEAR should be small, as the risks to safety from fire and
explosion will in many cases have been addressed by a general risk assessment
of work activities in compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1999, and by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
in respect of proper and sufficient escape routes, provision of fire fighting
equipment, etc, as undertaken by the Safety Office and the Estates Department.
Duty Holders
Heads of Colleges/Colleges/Heads of Support Departments
Head of Colleges/Colleges/Heads of Support Departments have responsibility for
ensuring compliance with the Regulations in general but in particular that:
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risk assessment is undertaken
any required risk reducing measures, emergency arrangements, etc, are
implemented
sufficient information and training is provided,
While responsibility lies with the duty holder, the task may be delegated to a
supervisor, technical manager, or other designated responsible person within the
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SWANSEA UNIVERSITY – Document Ref: H&S/P20 Issue 002
College/College/Support Department. Where this occurs it should be made
explicit in the College/College/Support Department safety policy.
Safety Office
The Safety Office has responsibility for:
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providing advice to all parties at their request concerning fire risks arising
from processes and use of buildings.
providing advice to all parties at their request concerning suitable
emergency arrangements.
providing fire training as appropriate
Monitoring compliance with this policy
Reviewing and amending the DSEAR policy
Liaising with regulators such as the Petroleum Licensing Officer, HSE,
Environment Agency and Fire and Rescue Service
Further Information
For further information please refer to:
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Safe Working Guidelines.
Risk Assessment manual
Health and Safety website: http://www.swan.ac.uk/estates/SafetyOffice/
Quality Control Data: Document H&S/P20
Issue
Author
Date
001 Draft A
GJ
26/04/2010
001
GJ
20/04/2011
002 Draft
GJ
28/03/2014
002
GJ
01/11/2014
3