DSEAR Risk Assessment and Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) are both huge subjects in their own right, and it’s common for me to be approached by companies who aren’t sure where to begin, or even if it applies to their gas systems.
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) apply where a dangerous substance is present or could be present, it puts duties on employers to protect people from these risks to their safety in the workplace, and to members of the public who may be put at risk by work activity.
A specific suitable and sufficient risk assessment is required under DSEAR for all gases that are within the workplace under pressure. The extent of the DSEAR risk assessment is dependent upon the flammability, oxidising, or corrosive properties of the gases and the risk of explosion, or the potential for structural damage, for example, if these gases are released to the atmosphere.
When gases under pressure are in the workplace and no flammable, oxidising or corrosive risks exists, then the DSEAR risk assessment can record this and be completed. Employers need take no additional action to comply with DSEAR.
When flammable, oxidising or corrosive gasses are in the workplace the Employer is responsible for ensuring a comprehensive DSEAR risk assessment is carried out and documented. A suitable and sufficient task orientated workplace risk assessment, including elements pertinent to DSEAR, shall be carried out for all activities, including maintenance.
The requirements of DSEAR are:
- Regulation 5 – Assess the risks from the dangerous substances – included in GTP Ltd DSEAR RA
- Regulation 6 – Eliminate or reduce the risks – included in GTP Ltd DSEAR RA
- Regulation 7 – Identify where explosive atmospheres may exist – HAC provided by GTP Ltd
- Regulation 8 – Arrangements to deal with incidents – this is the user responsibility
- Regulation 9 – Instruction and Training – can be provided by GTP Ltd (see Training Workshops)
*There are, of course, a total of 17 regulations under DSEAR. Regulations 5-9 cover a typical DSEAR Assessment that enables us to: understand the hazards, assess the risks, and reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) (Regulation 7), should be used when the risk cannot be removed or managed in another way. And places where a flammable atmosphere may occur should be classified and zoned.
Gas Technology Partnership can carry out DSEAR Risk Assessment and Hazardous Area Classification Studies for gas/vapour flammable atmospheres. I use the latest BCGA & EN standards(BCGA GN13 Rev 1: 2021 & BS EN IEC 60079-10: 2021), and Hazcalc HAC software tool which fully complies with BS EN IEC 60079-10: 2021, and have attended all relevant HSE training courses.
