Dangerous Substances and Explosive
Atmospheres Code of Practice
Effective from 23 March 2011
Version Number: 1.1
Author: Health and Safety Coordinator
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
te
University of Salford
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
Document Control Information
Status and reason for development
Status:
Revised to update previous version
Reason for
development:
This document was developed to ensure compliance with associated legislation and standards,
and University requirements.
Revision History
Date
January 2015
Author
Claire Whittaker
Summary of changes
Document transferred to new template
Dave Lamb
Document developed
March 2011
Version No.
V1.1
V1.0
Code of Practice Management and Responsibilities
Owner:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Others with responsibilities
(please specify):
The owner has delegated responsibility for day to day management of the
Code to the Safety/Fire Safety Officer
All subjects of the Code will be responsible for engaging with and adhering
to this policy.
Assessment
Cross relevant assessments
Cross if not applicable
Equality Analysis
Legal
Information Governance
Academic Governance
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
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


Author:
Consultation
Cross relevant consultations
Staff Trades Unions via HR
Students via USSU
Any relevant external bodies
(please specify)
N/A
…………………………………..
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Authorised by:
March 2011
Date authorised:
March 2011
Effective from:
2 years from date authorised
Review due:
Document location:
www.salford.ac.uk/hr
www.salford.ac.uk/university/governance/policies-and-procedures
Document dissemination and communications plan
The Safety/Fire Safety Officer will circulate to the Health and Safety Coordinators for the Colleges and Professional
Services to enable promotion throughout their area of responsibility.
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University of Salford
1.0
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
Purpose
In order to comply with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
(DSEAR) the University must identify substances or processes which may cause fire or explosion and put
in place adequate control measures. To do this a risk assessment for each substance / process is
required.
2.0
Scope
DSEAR applies when there is work being carried out by an employer which involves or is likely to involve
a dangerous substance, that is any substance which may explode, cause fire or create an explosive
atmosphere. This applies to workplaces where the substances are used, produced or stored. For the
University this will apply all occasions / processes where dangerous substances are present.
A dangerous substance for the purposes of this legislation is any substance or mixture of substances
(known as preparations under DSEAR) which may;
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3.0
be classified as explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable or flammable under
current CHIP legislation
be a dust which when spread in air to form a cloud may explode
be a substance or preparation whose properties constitute a risk to safety from fire or explosion
(these may not be covered by CHIP).
Code of Practice Statements
Certain duties are placed upon employers under DSEAR requiring them to assess, eliminate or reduce
risks from dangerous substances. Any assessment must take into account the workplace, the activity or
process and the harm those work activities could cause to employees, emergency services and members
of the public.
If there is no or trivial risk identified at this stage no further action is required.
If risks are identified then further action must be taken to eliminate or reduce these to a reasonably
practicable level.
The aim should be to eliminate the risk by either changing the substance for a safer alternative or
changing the process to a safer one. If this is not an option then control measures need to be put in place
to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
3.1 Control measures
Where risks are identified control measures need to be put in place to control these. These should be
chosen in the following order;
3.2 Eliminate
This is the preferable control measure when safer substitutes are available. Elimination may not require
an alternative substance but may be possible by altering the process for example stopping dusts escaping
from the work area.
3.3 Reduce
Reduce the quantities of dangerous substances in a process and reducing stock of these substances
limiting the potential risk from them. Reducing the frequency of processes is another option to consider.
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University of Salford
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
3.4 Isolate
Using specifically designed storage away from ignition sources with restricted access reduces the chance
of a fire or explosion occurring.
3.5 Control
Ventilation, containment and segregation are all examples of controls which can be implemented to
reduce the likelihood of a fire or explosion happening. Detection and warning systems such as fire alarms
and gas monitors may also be used.
3.6 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Once all the above options have been examined and implemented then personal protective equipment
can be chosen and provided. Where DSEAR is deemed to apply and greater hazards are involved it is
insufficient that PPE be used as a primary control measure.
4.0
Code of Practice Monitoring and Performance
The application of this code of practice will be monitored as part of the external health and safety
management systems audit.
5.0 Related Documentation
Not applicable
6.0 Training and Support
Support can be obtained from Health, Safety & Wellbeing.
7.0 Appendices
DSEAR Assessment form
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University of Salford
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
R1 to R19
Explosive Chemicals
that explode
Explosive, self
reactive, organic
peroxide
Oxidising Chemicals
that react
exothermically with
other chemicals
Oxidising gases,
oxidising liquids,
oxidising solids
Extremely flammable
Chemicals that have
an extremely low
flash point and boiling
point, and gases that
catch fire in contact
with air or highly
flammable Chemicals
that may catch fire in
contact with air, only
need brief contact
with an ignition
source, have a very
low flash point or
evolve highly
flammable gases in
contact with water
Flammable gasses,
flammable liquids,
flammable solids,
flammable aerosols,
organic peroxides,
self-reactive,
pyrophoric, selfheating, contact with
water emits
flammable gas
R1: Explosive when dry
R2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of
ignition
R3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources
of ignition
R4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
R5: Heating may cause an explosion
R6: Explosive with or without contact with air
R7: May cause fire
R8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material
R10: Flammable
R11: Highly flammable
R12: Extremely flammable
R14: Reacts violently with water
R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
R16: Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
R17: Spontaneously flammable in air
R18: In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
R19: May form explosive peroxides
R30
Can become highly flammable in use
R44
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
R14/15
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely
flammable gases
R15/29
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely
flammable gases
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University of Salford
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
DSEAR (2002) RISK ASSESSMENT.
Substance(s) / Process:
Location:
(Building and room no)
Assessors Name:
Supervisors Name (where
applicable):
Manufacturers Safety Data
Sheet(s) available?
SDS stored:
Does the substance / process
match any of the Risk Phrases
mentioned above
Is the substance:
Liquid
Gas
Solid
Powder
Flashpoint below 32oc
Yes
No
Electronically
Paper copy
Yes
No
Flammable
Highly flammable
Extremely flammable
Explosive
Oxidising
Yes
No
If any of the risk phrases / symbols, flammability or flashpoint below 32 oc tick boxes are
ticked then please fill in the next section;
Approximate quantity to be used?
Storage and handling
arrangements (including any
waste).
Measures in place to stop explosive
atmosphere forming.
Ignition sources.
Measures in place to stop ignition
of substances / atmospheres.
Likelihood of fire or explosion (A).
Anticipated scale of accidental fire
or explosion after control measures
have been implemented (B).
Risk level (A x B)
(see column A below)
(see column B below)
If greater than 7, identify additional
actions to reduce risk further
Additional control measures
required.
Likelihood and scale after additional
controls are in place. (A x B)
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University of Salford
DSEAR Code of Practice V1.1
Completed by;
Date:
Increasing Consequence
Risk Rating:
5
10
15
20
25
4
8
12
16
20
3
6
9
12
15
2
4
6
8
10
1
2
3
4
5
Increasing Likelihood
17-25 Unacceptable – Stop activity and make
immediate improvements/seek further advice
10-16 Tolerable – look to improve within specified
timescale
5-9 Adequate – Look to improve at next review
1-4 Acceptable - No further action, but ensure controls
are maintained
Guide to using the risk rating table:
Consequences
1 Insignificant – No or very little impact
2 Minor – Business interruption
3 Moderate – Property damage
4 Major – Significant financial loss/ valuable
equipment/Minimum number of people at risk
5 Catastrophic – Significant numbers of people at
risk/high risk impact e.g. affect on surrounding
area
Likelihood
1 Very unlikely – 1 in a million chance of it happening
2 Unlikely – 1 in 100,000 chance of it happening
3 Fairly likely – 1 in 10,000 chance of it happening
4 Likely – 1 in 1,000 chance of it happening
5 Very likely – 1 in 100 chance of it happening
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