Introduction
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers to assess the risks of fires and explosions that may be caused by dangerous substances in the workplace and then eliminate or reduce these risks as far as is reasonably practicable. The Regulations clarify the existing requirements to manage fire and explosion risks which are set out in the Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
What is DSEAR ?
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere 2002. (DSEAR) is principally concerned, with the safe use of substances that can create thermal radiation effects
(burns) and over-pressure effects (blast injuries). DSEAR has replaced a number of older regulations dealing with flammable substance safety. DSEAR applies to workplaces where dangerous substances are present, used or produced. Dangerous substances are substances or mixtures of substances that could create risks to people’s safety from fires, explosions or similar events. In summary, a dangerous substance is any natural or artificial substance, which is explosive, extremely flammable, highly flammable or flammable, including liquids, vapours, gases, dust; and equipment that might leak or generate a dangerous substance. Such substances that are bought in commercially will be recognised by the standard pictograms on the container.
What is Dangerous Substances ?
Dangerous substances or mixtures that could create risks to people’s safety from fires and explosions or similar events such as chemical Exothermic reaction, liquids, gases, vapours and dust that may be found in the workplace can all be dangerous substances.

Substances or mixtures of substances classified as Explosive, Oxidising,
Flammable, Highly Flammable or Extremely Flammable come under the CHIP
Regulations.

Any kind of dust that when spread in air to form a cloud can explode e.g. dust from milling and sanding operations

Any substances or mixtures of substances, which because of their physical properties if present in the workplace can create a risk to safety and explosions, but which may not be covered by CHIP. For example high flashpoint liquids present in the workplace at elevated temperatures.
Dangerous substances can be found in varying quantities in most workplaces.

What is Explosive Atmosphere ?
An explosive atmosphere is an accumulation of gas, mist, dust or vapour , mixed with air, which has the potential to catch fire or explode. An explosive atmosphere does not always result in an explosion, but it catches fire the flames would quickly travel through it and if this happened in a confined space (e.g in plant or equipment) the rapid spread of flames or rise in pressure could also cause an explosion
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Types of activities, plant, equipment and locations likely to present an explosion hazard include:
Using explosives, flammable liquids or flammable gases
Flammable liquid or flammable gas stores
Pouring or handling flammable liquids such as solvents (including wastes)
Paint spraying
Flammable vapour extraction
Dust extraction (e.g. from woodworking)
Hot work on tanks that have contained flammables
Activities that could release naturally occurring methane
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Duty holders must classify where explosive atmospheres may occur into defined zones and mark the zones where necessary, and carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous substances (regardless of the quantity) taking account of such matters as:
•
The hazardous properties of the substances, preparations or articles
• The way they are stored or used
The possibility of explosive atmospheres occurring
All potential ignition sources
Non-routine activities such as maintenance work
Adverse conditions and unplanned events such as accidental releases or exceeding the limits of temperature or other control settings
Measures to eliminate or reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable
Provision of equipment and procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies
• Provision of information, instruction and training
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (the Management
Regulations).

The Management Regulations require employers, amongst other things, to:

assess the general risks to health and safety arising from their work activity

identify the preventive and protective measures that need to be taken to control the identified risks

introduce procedures for serious and imminent danger

to provide information and training for employees.
Where dangerous substances are present or used at the workplace the more specific provisions of DSEAR will apply to work with those substances. For example, an assessment of the risks from dangerous substances carried out under DSEAR will not need to be repeated for The Management regulations, and in many cases will be incorporated into the more general MHSW assessment. Similarly, the provisions in
DSEAR concerning arrangements for emergencies involving dangerous substances will generally be sufficient to fulfil the corresponding general requirements for such procedures in the Management regulations.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Health risks from substances are controlled primarily by the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
The definitions of “dangerous substance” and “substance hazardous to health” contained in DSEAR and COSHH respectively, cover a wide range of substances. As a result, some substances that may be dangerous to safety could also present a health risk.
For example, certain gases (e.g. hydrogen, methane, propane, etc) are extremely flammable and come within the scope of DSEAR. However, the gases themselves can also act as asphyxiants, reducing the quantity of oxygen present in a workplace to the extent that life can be put at risk. As a result, they will also satisfy the definition of a substance hazardous to health for the purposes of COSHH. Therefore, where substances that could result in a risk to both safety and health are present, employers have duties to control the risks from those substances under both sets of Regulations.
As most, but not all, dangerous substances present a health risk as well as a safety risk most of them will have already been identified and will be dealt with in the usual
COSHH risk assessment for hazardous substances. It may therefore be prudent and less time consuming to address the hazards of fire and explosion at the same time as undertaking the COSHH risk assessment, by completing the DSEAR Pre
Assessment Form (Appendix 1) . Where hazard of fire and or explosion risk has been identified, it will be necessary to complete the full DSEAR Risk Assessment form. (Appendix 2)

When Does DSEAR Apply?

When a dangerous substance is present (or is liable to be present) at the workplace;

the dangerous substance could be a risk to the safety of people as a result of fires, explosions or similar energetic events.
Fires and explosions create harmful physical effects - thermal radiation, overpressure effects and oxygen depletion. These effects can also be caused by other energetic events such as runaway exothermic reactions involving chemicals or decomposition of unstable substances such as peroxides.
The following examples illustrate the type of activities covered by DSEAR:

Storage of petrol and LPG as a fuel for cars, boats, horticultural machinery etc.;

Use of flammable gases, such as acetylene, for welding;

Handling and storage of waste dusts in woodworking shops;

Handling and storage of flammable wastes including fuel oils;

Hot work on tanks or drums that have contained flammable material;

Work activities that could release naturally occurring flammable substances such as methane

Use of flammable solvents in laboratories

Storage of flammable goods, such as paints, solvents, reagents;

Storage, use and handling of flammable gases, including LPG;

Transport of flammable liquids in containers around the workplace;

Chemical or gas manufacture resulting from research or teaching
DSEAR applies to workplaces where dangerous substances are present, used, or produced. Workplaces are any premises or parts of premises used for work. This includes places such as industrial and commercial premises, land-based and offshore installations, mines and quarries, construction sites, vehicles and vessels, etc. Places such as the common parts of shared buildings, private roads and paths on industrial estates and road works on public roads are also premises, as are houses and other domestic premises, if people are at work there.
How to I comply with DSEAR?
When working in any industry DSEAR places duties on the employers to assess and eliminate or reduce risks from dangerous substances and to comply with DSEAR, means the employer needs to assess any risks thereby preventing or controlling risks using;

You must:

carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous substances;

provide measures to eliminate or reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable;

provide equipment and procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies;

provide information and training to employees;

classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones and mark the zones where necessary
Assessing risks
Before work is carried out, the fire and explosion risks that may be caused by dangerous substances must be assessed. This should be an identification and careful examination of:

the dangerous substances in the workplace;

the work activities involving those substances; and

the ways in which those substances and work activities could harm people.
The purpose is to help employers to decide what they need to do to eliminate or reduce the risks from dangerous substances.
If there is no risk to safety from fires and explosions, or the risk is trivial, no further action is needed. If there are risks then employers must consider what else needs to be done to comply fully with the requirements of DSEAR. If an employer has five or more employees, the employer must record the significant findings of the risk assessment.
Preventing or controlling risks
Control measures must be put in place to eliminate risks from dangerous substances, or reduce them as far as is reasonably practicable. Where it is not possible to eliminate the risk completely, measures must be taken to control risks and reduce the severity
(mitigate) the effects of any fire or explosion
The best solution is to eliminate the risk completely by replacing the dangerous substance with another substance, or using a different work process. For example, replacing a low flashpoint liquid with a high flashpoint one.

Control measures
Where the risk cannot be eliminated, DSEAR requires control measures to be applied
Eliminating a hazardous operation, material or condition

Substituting non-flammable for flammable solvent

reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum;

avoid or minimise releases of dangerous substances e.g. via the use of fully contained systems such as welded pipework;

control releases of dangerous substances at source;

prevent the formation of a dangerous atmosphere e.g. operating below flashpoint of a dangerous substance;

collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place (for example, through ventilation);

avoid ignition sources;

avoid adverse conditions (for example, exceeding the limits of temperature or control settings) that could lead to danger;

keep incompatible substances apart.

Providing clothing that does not create risk of electrostatic discharge

Local exhaust ventilation – this must meet HSE recommended air flow rates and have various safety features such as explosion relief venting and earth bonding (applicable to dust or vapour)
 “Explosion proof” equipment – the level of protection will depend on the zoning;
DSEAR specifies which types of protection are acceptable for which level of zoning

Safe systems of work, including Hot Work permits

Separating fuels from sources of heat and ignition

Controlling releases at source, and collecting, containing and removing them

Avoiding adverse conditions that could lead to danger

Information, instruction and training
These control measures should be consistent with the risk assessment and appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation.
Mitigation
In addition to control measures, DSEAR requires mitigation measures to be put in place. These measures should be consistent with the risk assessment and appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation and include:

reducing the number of employees exposed to the risk;

providing plant that is explosion resistant;


providing explosion suppression or explosion relief equipment;

taking measures to control or minimise the spread of fires or explosions; e.g. firefighting equipment

providing suitable personal protective equipment.
Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies
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DSEAR requires that employers make arrangements to protect employees (and others who are at the workplace) in the event of accidents etc. The provisions build on existing requirements in Regulation 8 of the Management Regulations and require employers to make arrangements including:
• Suitable warning (including visual and audible alarms) and communication systems
Escape facilities - if required by the risk assessment
Emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency
Equipment and clothing for essential personnel dealing with the incident
Practice drills
Making information on the emergency procedures available to employees
Contacting the emergency services to advise them that information on emergency procedures is available (and providing them with any information they consider necessary)
The scale and nature of the emergency arrangements should be proportionate to the risks.
However it should be noted that these requirements clarify what already needs to be done in relation to the safety management of dangerous/hazardous substances in existing legislation e.g. the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999, the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the Fire
Precautions (Workplace) Regulations1997/99, the regulatory reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005, and the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and associated Codes of Practice, and therefore should not require any additional duties to those already present in complying with this existing legislation.

Information, instruction and training
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Employers are required to provide employees and other people at the workplace who might be at risk with suitable information, instruction and training on precautions and actions they need to take to safeguard themselves and others, including:
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Names of the substances in use and risks they present
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Access to any relevant safety data sheet
• Details of legislation that applies to the hazardous properties of those substances
The significant findings of the risk assessment
Suitable information, instruction and training on precautions and actions to be taken by employees to safeguard themselves and others.
Employers should also make information available to employee representatives.
Information, instruction and training need only be provided to non-employees where it is required to ensure their safety. Where it is provided, it should be in proportion to the level and type of risk.
Recording the significant findings of the risk assessment
DSEAR requires that the significant findings of the risk assessment are recorded. The detail should include:
• risk,
The measures (technical and organisational) taken to eliminate and/or reduce
• Sufficient information to show that the workplace and work equipment will be safe during operation and maintenance including: i details of any hazardous zones ii
• any special measures taken to ensure co-ordination of safety measures and procedures, when employers share a workplace
Measures taken to inform, instruct and train employees.
DSEAR is enforced by:
HSE or local authorities depending on the allocation of premises under the Health and
Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998. In the main, HSE will enforce at industrial premises and local authorities (environmental health officers) elsewhere eg in retail premises;

fire authorities at most premises subject to DSEAR in relation to general fire precautions such as means of escape.
Places where explosive atmospheres may occur (‘ATEX’ requirements)
DSEAR places additional duties on employers where potentially explosive atmospheres may occur in the workplace. These duties include:

identifying and classifying (zoning) areas where potentially explosive atmospheres may occur in accordance with Schedule 2 to the Regulations;

controlling ignition sources in zoned areas, in particular those from electrical and mechanical equipment

where necessary, identifying the entrances to zoned areas;

providing appropriate anti-static clothing for employees
Once zoned, an area must be protected from sources of ignition. The points of entry to zoned areas should be marked with a specified “EX” sign where necessary for safety and employees working in zoned areas must be provided with appropriate anti-static clothing.
New electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems used in a zoned area must comply with the DTI’s EPS Regulations (although equipment already in use prior to July 2003 can continue to be used so long as it is safe to do so, i.e. explosion protected). Before areas zoned under DSEAR are brought into operation the effectiveness of the overall explosion protection measures to each areas must be formally verified
Ex zoning
Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency of the occurrence of an explosive Atmosphere created by gases, vapours, mists and dusts.
For gases, vapour and mist the zones classifications are:
Zone 0 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods.
Zone 1 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 2 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
Dusts zones:
Zone 20 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
Zone 21 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
Zone 22 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Appendix 1
This form may be considered an addendum to the University COSHH risk assessment
Name of Substance(s) / Process.
Location of substance /process
Faculty /
Department
Building / room no.
Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet(s) available
Yes
☐
No
☐
(substance is produced as a result of an in house process, or as a bi-product of such a process) is the substance
(X in box):-
Flammable
☐
Highly Flammable
☐
Extremely Flammable
☐
Explosive
☐
Oxidising
☐
If one of the above applies is the substance;
Gas
☐
Liquid
☐
Powder
☐
Solid
☐
Substance has a flash point below 32 o C
Yes
☐
No
☐
If NONE of the above applies, you may finish at this point. Otherwise Please Complete the full
DSEAR RA
Name of assessor
Signature
Date

Appendix 2
This form may be considered an addendum to the University COSHH risk assessment form or a stand-alone DSEAR risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1999.
Name of Substance(s) / Process.
Location of substance /process
Faculty /
Department
Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet(s) available
Yes
☐
Building / room no.
No
☐
(substance is produced as a result of an in house process, or as a bi-product of such a process)
Are any of the substance(s)
(X in box):-
Flammable
☐
Highly Flammable
☐
Extremely Flammable
☐
Explosive
☐
Oxidising
☐
If one of the above applies is the substance;
Gas
☐
Liquid
☐
Powder
☐
Solid
☐
Substance has a flash point below 32 o C
Yes
☐
No
☐

Note here how a system of work, or activity could fail and give rise to fire or explosion. Also note any sources of ignition
Control Measures (mark X as appropriate)
Has the quantity of the substance been reduced to a minimum?
Have steps been taken to avoid or minimise releases (intentional or unintentional)?
Have steps been taken to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere?
Have steps been taken to collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place
(e.g. ventilation)?
Have steps been taken to avoid adverse conditions (e.g. exceeding temperature limits or other control settings)?
Are incompatible substances kept apart in storage and, so far as is practicable, in use
(e.g. oxidisers and combustibles)?
Has the number of people exposed to the substances or the explosive atmosphere been reduced to a minimum?
Have adequate measures been taken to control or minimise the spread of fire or explosion?
Has suitable personal protective equipment been provided and have staff been trained how to wear it properly?
Have appropriate safe systems of work or other required procedural systems of organising work been developed and communicated to all persons who might need to know, either by way of this form or another document?
Is a permit to work scheme required for working with the substance(s) or in the work area, and are these strictly enforced?
Emergency Procedures
Yes No N/A
Yes No N/A
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with adverse process conditions (e.g. exceeding limits of temperature, or other control settings)?
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with fire and evacuation?
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the spillage of dangerous substances?
Waste Disposal
Yes No
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the safe transport and disposal of dangerous substances?
Information, Instruction and Training
Yes
Has appropriate information, instruction and training commensurate with the hazard potential of the dangerous substances, or process, been provided to personnel with regard to product detail, hazard, risk reduction methods to be employed, management systems to be followed, emergency systems etc.?
Where any questions relevant to a dangerous substance being used, produced handled or stored has a ‘No’ response, the subject area should be revisited to ensure that all required and reasonably practicable risk reducing methods have been implemented.
No

Conclusion
The risk(s) from the hazard potential of the dangerous substances and/or explosive atmospheres identified in this risk assessment must be reduced to the lowest possible level reasonably practicable.
Is this the case?
☐
Yes
☐
No
Name of assessor
Signature
Date
Date review required
Safe System of Work (DSEAR)
List the substances within your procedure/ experiment that require a SSOW to comply DSEAR regulations
Describe the SSOW that would ensure compliance with the regulations, (including handling, storage and their potential to produce an explosive atmosphere).
(Continue on another sheet if required)

In the event of an emergency, actions laid out in the safe system of work that are designed to minimise damage to equipment or property should be undertaken only if this does not put yourself or others at risk: personal safety and that of others must take priority.
I have read and understood the above safe system of work.
Signature Date

Appendix 3
This form may be considered an addendum to the University COSHH risk assessment form or a stand-alone DSEAR risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1999.
Name of Substance(s) / Process.
A study of oxidation-reduction reactions
Location of substance /process
Faculty /
Department
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE & THE
ENVIRONMENT
Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet(s) available
Yes
☒
Building / room no.
T605
No
☐
(substance is produced as a result of an in house process, or as a bi-product of such a process)
Are any of the substance(s)
(X in box):-
Flammable
☐
Highly Flammable
☐
Extremely Flammable
☐
Explosive
☐
Oxidising
☒
If one of the above applies is the substance;
Gas
☐
Liquid
☐
Powder
☐
Solid
☒
Substance has a flash point below 32 o C
Yes
☐
No
☒
If NONE of the above applies, you may finish at this point. Otherwise Please Continue.

Note here how a system of work, or activity could fail and give rise to fire or explosion. Also note any sources of ignition
Contact with combustible material may cause fire
Control Measures (mark X as appropriate)
Has the quantity of the substance been reduced to a minimum?
Have steps been taken to avoid or minimise releases (intentional or unintentional)?
Have steps been taken to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere?
Have steps been taken to collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place
(e.g. ventilation)?
Have steps been taken to avoid adverse conditions (e.g. exceeding temperature limits or other control settings)?
Are incompatible substances kept apart in storage and, so far as is practicable, in use
(e.g. oxidisers and combustibles)?
Has the number of people exposed to the substances or the explosive atmosphere been reduced to a minimum?
Have adequate measures been taken to control or minimise the spread of fire or explosion?
Has suitable personal protective equipment been provided and have staff been trained how to wear it properly?
Have appropriate safe systems of work or other required procedural systems of organising work been developed and communicated to all persons who might need to know, either by way of this form or another document?
Is a permit to work scheme required for working with the substance(s) or in the work area, and are these strictly enforced?
Yes








No

N/A


Emergency Procedures
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with adverse process conditions (e.g. exceeding limits of temperature, or other control settings)?
Yes

Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with fire and evacuation?
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the spillage of dangerous substances?
Waste Disposal
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the safe transport and disposal of dangerous substances?
Information, Instruction and Training


No
Yes

N/A
No
Has appropriate information, instruction and training commensurate with the hazard potential of the dangerous substances, or process, been provided to personnel with regard to product detail, hazard, risk reduction methods to be employed, management systems to be followed, emergency systems etc.?
Yes

Where any questions relevant to a dangerous substance being used, produced handled or stored has a ‘No’ response, the subject area should be revisited to ensure that all required and reasonably practicable risk reducing methods have been implemented.
No

Conclusion
The risk(s) from the hazard potential of the dangerous substances and/or explosive atmospheres identified in this risk assessment must be reduced to the lowest possible level reasonably practicable.
Is this the case?
☒
Yes
☐
No
Name of assessor
Signature
Date
Date review required
Safe System of Work (DSEAR)
List the substances within your procedure/ experiment that require a SSOW to comply with DSEAR regulations.
Ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate
Cerium (III) nitrate (hexahydrate)
Describe the SSOW that would ensure compliance with the regulations, (including handling, storage and their potential to produce an explosive atmosphere).
Retrieve and return chemicals to appropriate storage location
Quantities are clearly specified and minimised to comply with DESEAR
Regulations
Attached methodology has been considered and constructed in line with the
DSEAR Regulations
(Continue on another sheet if required)

In the event of an emergency, actions laid out in the safe system of work that are designed to minimise damage to equipment or property should be undertaken only if this does not put yourself or others at risk: personal safety and that of others must take priority.
I have read and understood the above safe system of work.
Signature Date
16/06/2014

Appendix 4
This form may be considered an addendum to the University COSHH risk assessment form or a stand-alone DSEAR risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1999.
Faculty /
Department names of the products being handled, stored or produced.
Building
If a proprietary product, does the Material Safety Data Sheet or labelling on the product packaging indicate that it is
(X in box):-
Explosive
Oxidising
Extremely Flammable
(Or has a flash point lower than 32 0 C. Or that release of vapour or gas may produce an explosive atmosphere)
Highly Flammable
Flammable
If the substance is produced as a result of an in house process, or as a bi-product of such a process, is that substance
(X in box):-
Explosive
Oxidising
Extremely Flammable
(Or has a flash point lower than 32 0 C. Or that release of vapour or gas may produce an explosive atmosphere)
Highly Flammable
Flammable

Note here how a system of work, or activity could fail and give rise to fire or explosion. Also note any sources of ignition
Control Measures (mark X as appropriate)
Has the quantity of the dangerous substance held or used been reduced to a minimum?
Have steps been taken to avoid or minimise releases (intentional or unintentional)?
Have steps been taken to control release at source?
Have steps been taken to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere?
Have steps been taken to collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place
(e.g. ventilation)?
Have steps been taken to avoid adverse conditions (e.g. exceeding temperature limits or other control settings)?
Are incompatible substances kept apart in storage and, so far as is practicable, in use
(e.g. oxidisers and combustibles)?
Has the number of people exposed to the dangerous substances or the explosive atmosphere been reduced to a minimum?
Is plant in use that is explosion resistant?
Yes No
Is explosion suppression or relief provided on equipment?
Have adequate measures been taken to control or minimise the spread of fire or explosion?
Has suitable personal protective equipment been provided and have staff been trained how to wear it properly?
Workplace or process and management systems, where appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation.
Yes
Is the workplace designed, constructed and maintained so as to provide adequate fire resistance and/or explosion relief?
Is any assembly, construction, installation, rig, plant, equipment, protection system etc. designed in such a manner as to minimise the risk of fire and/or explosion?
Is any assembly, construction, installation, rig, plant, equipment, protection system etc. used in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire and/or explosion?
Have appropriate safe systems of work or other required procedural systems of organising work been developed and communicated to all persons who might need to know, either by way of this form or another document?
Is a permit to work scheme required for working with the substance(s) or in the work area, and are these strictly enforced?
Zoning and control of explosive atmospheres (if not applicable, mark X here and proceed to next section)
Yes No
Have all such areas been classified into zones in accordance with schedule 2 of the regulations?
Where necessary, have such classified zones been marked at their entry points with the specified ‘EX’ hazard warning signs?
Are all classified zones appropriately protected from sources of ignition, through the selection of equipment and protective systems compliant with the Equipment and
Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
Regulations 1996?
Are people working in zoned areas provided with clothing that does not create a risk of electrostatic discharge?
Before their first operation, have areas where explosive areas may be present been verified as being safe by a competent person?
N/A
No
N/A

Storage
Are all flammable substances kept in suitable fire resistant storage?
Are all quantities of flammable substances in excess of 50L kept in dedicated and appropriately protected flammable stores?
Are incompatible substances stored apart (e.g. flammables, oxidisers, combustibles, flammable gases and LPG)?
Where appropriate, have storage areas been designed to provide explosion relief or resistance?
Emergency Procedures
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with adverse process conditions (e.g. exceeding limits of temperature, or other control settings)?
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with fire and evacuation?
Yes
Yes
No
No
N/A
N/A
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the spillage of dangerous substances?
Waste Disposal
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to personnel to deal with the safe transport and disposal of dangerous substances?
Information, Instruction and Training
Yes No
Has appropriate information, instruction and training commensurate with the hazard potential of the dangerous substances, or process, been provided to personnel with regard to product detail, hazard, risk reduction methods to be employed, management systems to be followed, emergency systems etc.?
Yes No
Where any questions relevant to a dangerous substance being used, produced handled or stored has a ‘No’ response, the subject area should be revisited to ensure that all required and reasonably practicable risk reducing methods have been implemented.
Conclusion
The risk(s) from the hazard potential of the dangerous substances and/or explosive atmospheres identified in this risk assessment must be reduced to the lowest possible level reasonably practicable.
Is this the case?
Yes
No
Name of assessor
Signature
Date
Date review required

Safe System of Work (DSEAR)
As a result of the risk assessment under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations of the work process involving the following dangerous substance(s).
This includes their handling, storage and ability, in the form they present in the work situation, to result in an explosive atmosphere, the following safe system of work (rules of work) must be observed and adhered to at all times.
(Continue on another sheet if required)
In the event of an emergency, actions laid out in the safe system of work that are designed to minimise damage to equipment or property should be undertaken only if this does not put yourself or others at risk: personal safety and that of others must take priority.
I have read and understood the above safe system of work.
Signature Date