Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres
(DSEAR) Risk Assessment
Company Name
Company Address
Location of Process
Description of Process
Enter name(s) of substances being used, handled or stored
Using information on the Material Safety Data Sheet, or other sources, tick the boxes
that apply to the products:
Explosive
Oxidising
Extremely flammable
Highly Flammable
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
Flammable
Flashpoint <32°C
Release may produce explosion
If you have ticked one or more boxes, the DSEAR will apply and control or mitigation
measures are required. If not, no further risk assessment with regard DSEAR is
required.
Control and Mitigation Measures (tick as
appropriate)
Has quantity been reduced to a minimum?
Yes
No
Have steps been taken to avoid/minimise release?
Have steps been taken to control release?
Have steps been taken to prevent explosion?
Cope Safety Management Ltd : 0844 800 4266
CSM020/01
www.jwcope.co.uk
email: copesafety@jwcope.co.uk
Control and Mitigation Measures (tick as
appropriate)
Have steps been taken to control explosion?
Yes
No
Are incompatible substances kept apart?
Is the number of employees exposed the minimum?
Have steps been taken to minimise fire spread?
Is suitable personal protective equipment provided?
Is a Safe System of Work provided/required?
Is a Permit to Work system provided/required?
Is zoning provided/required?
Give details
Is signage (EX) provided/required?
Give details
Are sources of ignition adequately controlled?
Are flammable substances stored appropriately?
Cope Safety Management Ltd : 0844 800 4266
CSM020/01
www.jwcope.co.uk
email: copesafety@jwcope.co.uk
Control and Mitigation Measures (tick as
appropriate)
Have emergency procedures been developed?
Give details
Yes
No
Yes
No
Have emergency procedures been communicated?
Give details
Are employees suitably trained?
Give details
Conclusion (tick as appropriate)
The risk should be reduced to the lowest level
reasonably practicable. Is this the case?
Recommendations
Ensure a copy of related documents, i.e. the safe system of work, emergency
procedures are attached and communicated with this risk assessment.
Signature of Assessor
Cope Safety Management Ltd : 0844 800 4266
CSM020/01
Date of Assessment
www.jwcope.co.uk
email: copesafety@jwcope.co.uk
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres
(DSEAR) Risk Assessment
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) came
into force on 9 December 2002. They set minimum requirements to protect workers, and
other who may be exposed, from fire and explosion risks. In summary, employers and the
self-employed must carry out a risk assessment of work activities involving dangerous
substances and eliminate or adequately control any identified risks.
DSEAR applies to any substance or preparation with the potential to cause fires, explosions,
thermal runaway or exothermic reactions. Such substances include petrol, LPG, paints,
varnishes and certain types of combustible and explosive dusts. The following are examples
of affected workplaces:
a) Handling, storage and transportation of flammable gases, i.e. acetylene for welding;
b) Handling and storage of flammable or explosive dusts, i.e. flour or wood dust;
c) Handling, storage and transportation of flammable liquids, i.e. petrol for cars or
machines;
d) Hot work on vessels that contain, or have contained, flammable materials; and
e) Chemical manufacturing, processing and warehousing.
When determining whether a substance is dangerous, make a check on the Material Safety
Data Sheet or the HSE Approved Supply List, to see if it is classified as explosive, oxidising or
flammable. Assess the physical properties of the substance, and the nature of the work, to
determine if there is a risk to persons.
Elimination of the dangerous substances is not always possible, however, it may be possible
to substitute with the less hazardous and this should always be considered in the first
instance. Next, control and mitigation measures are to be applied. The format of the risk
assessment gives priority to the order in which these measures are to be considered, i.e. first,
reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum.
It is necessary to classify areas where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones based on
the likelihood and persistence of an explosion. Areas classified into zones must only contain
equipment and safety devices that are categorised for use in such areas.
Substance
Gases/vapours/mists
Zone
Zone 0
Dusts
Zone 20
Gases/vapours/mists
Zone 1
Dusts
Zone 21
Gases/vapours/mists
Zone 2
Dusts
Zone 22
Description
Explosive atmosphere present
continuously, for long periods or
frequently
Category
Category 1
Explosive atmosphere likely to
occur occasionally
Category 2
Explosive atmosphere unlikely to
occur, or for a short period only
Category 3
Where necessary, areas classified into zones must be marked with an ‘EX’ sign at their points
of entry. Arrangements should be in place to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies,
such as: suitable warning and communication systems; suitable escape facilities; written
emergency procedures and the training of personal (i.e. practice drills); and contact with the
emergency services.
Cope Safety Management Ltd : 0844 800 4266
CSM020/01
www.jwcope.co.uk
email: copesafety@jwcope.co.uk