DSEAR Risk Assessment
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002
OTECSA are here to help you comply with your legal obligations under the DSEAR Regulations 2002.
With extensive experience gained from Hazardous Area Classification and DSEAR Risk Assessment in all industries, your risk assessments are in safe hands.
If you are new to handling flammable materials, or simply need an update for your site get in touch to discuss how we can assist by providing a cost effective DSEAR and HAC study, this can also include assessment of mechanical equipment for use in ATEX areas (MEIRA studies). We can support you with all aspects of DSEAR compliance, from hazardous area classification and preparing risk assessments, to selection of equipment and design of engineering solutions. We can also provide ongoing support after completion of your study if required.
Looking for details of typical projects? Take a look at our list of example DSEAR Case Studies here.
Looking for DSEAR Training? We can offer public or on site training courses, please see our training information here.
DSEAR and Hazardous area classification
OTECSA Consulting have built up an expertise in the areas of DSEAR Risk Assessment and Hazardous Area Classification. With experience across many high hazard industries we are in a position to help clients comply with latest industry standards, sector guidance and legislative requirements. See below for more information on each key area you need to consider as well as some recent examples of projects we have undertaken.
Our Approach to DSEAR
We know undertaking a DSEAR Risk Assessment can be daunting. Our approach is to work with you to simplify the assessment and provide understandable, clear outcomes which allow you to prioritise your resources. We can also support you in closing out any gaps identified and be a sounding board for ideas for improvement if that is what you need.
Our extensive experience of DSEAR over many years and across many industries means we have probably come across similar challenges before, and found was to minimise risk and help clients with compliance.
Call us on 0131 250 8826 or email info@otecsaconsulting.com today to start the process of DSEAR compliance with OTECSA.
DSEAR Regulations
DSEAR stands for the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. DSEAR Regulations apply to any place of work where “dangerous” substances may be present. A dangerous substance is one which if not properly controlled could cause harm to people by fire, explosion or corrosion of metal. Dangerous substances occur in many workplaces and include materials such as paints, solvents, flammable gases, combustible dusts (for example machining dust, food dusts, wood dusts), pressurised gases and substances corrosive to metal.
DSEAR Regulations state that employers must assess all potential risks to employees and others whose safety may be affected by the use or presence of a dangerous substance at the workplace and a written record of the significant findings is required. OTECSA Consulting offer many specialist services to help clients comply with their obligations relating to DSEAR, depending on your needs:
DSEAR Risk Assessments, in line with guidelines in the DSEAR Regulations 2002 and the most up to date additions,
DSEAR compliance reviews and gap analyses,
Hazardous Area Classification, including production of drawings for existing, modified or new plant,
Mechanical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessments (MEIRA)
HAZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICATION
In order to help clients comply with the ATEX “workplace” directive (Directive 99/92/EC) which requires that employers must classify areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur into zones, OTECSA Consulting can carry out Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) to the most relevant industry standards, depending on the applicability to the industrial sector being studied. This includes:
The British Standards for gases, liquids and dusts, which can cover all situations and flammable/ combustible materials,
The Energy Institute standards, relating to oil, gas and petrochemical derived materials,
The Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers, relating to natural gas installations,
The Scotch Whisky Association "purple book", relating to the distilled spirits sector.
Our work is based on years of experience across all process sectors, we have therefore tailored our documentation and assessment methods to be the most cost effective and comprehensive to ensure you can comply with your obligations and be the "intelligent customer" that the HSE is looking for.
what counts as an ignition source?
The full list of ignition sources considered by the HSE in the UK is as follows:
Flames;
Direct fired space and process heating;
Use of cigarettes/matches etc;
Cutting and welding flames;
Hot surfaces;
Heated process vessels such as dryers and furnaces;
Hot process vessels;
Space heating equipment;
Mechanical machinery;
Electrical equipment and lights
Spontaneous heating;
Friction heating or sparks;
Impact sparks;
Sparks from electrical equipment;
Stray currents from electrical equipment
Electrostatic discharge sparks:
Lightning strikes.
Electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths
Vehicles, unless specially designed or modified are likely to contain a range of potential ignition sources
OTECSA Consulting have a method for assessing most of these ignition sources, including MEIRA for mechanical equipment.
Recent DSEAR and HAC Projects
We are continually carrying out DSEAR and HAC studies for clients, with several per month across all industrial sectors.
In the past few years OTECSA, a sample of the DSEAR and HAC studies OTECSA have undertaken is provided below (this list is in no way exhaustive):
DSEAR study for a metal component manufacturing facility (Mahle Engine Systems)
HAC and DSEAR study for a medical filter manufacturing facility (Pall Corporation)
HAC and DSEAR for a new build craft rum distillery (Mutley Rum)
HAC and DSEAR for a new flammable solvent storage and processing operation in a warehouse facility (HCI)
HAC and DSEAR study for a wood laminate product manufacturing facility (Lam Art)
HAC and DSEAR study for offshore oil and gas waste handling facilities (Augean NSSL)
HAC and DSEAR study for a grain handling and milling operation (Moorhead McGavin)
HAC and DSEAR study for a biscuit manufacturing facility in Central Scotland (Edinburgh Shortbread)
DSEAR study for a ozone generator room for a COMAH facility
HAC and DSEAR study for a new build malt whisky distillation facility (Falkirk Distillery)
HAC and DSEAR study for a new still operation and bottling line (Brewdog Distilling)
HAC and DSEAR update for a wood pellet manufacturer (Land Energy Girvan)
HAC update for an offshore North Sea production platform (EnQuest)
HAC and DSEAR study for a metal pigment manufacturing plant (Metaflake)
HAC and DSEAR study for a large whisky distillery expansion project (Glenfiddich, William Grant and Sons Distillers)
HAC and DSEAR study for a large whisky bottling and vatting site (SBP, William Grant and Sons Distillers)
HAC and DSEAR study for a new tank farm project (Balvenie, William Grant and Sons Distillers)
HAC and DSEAR study for a major distillery site with multiple still houses and tank farm/ vat hall operations.
HAC and DSEAR study for a joiners shop and timber yard (Ochil Timber)
Conceptual HAC study for a new spirit supply building and cooperage (William Grant and Sons Distillers)
HAC and DSEAR study for a mining facility using hazardous chemicals at detail design and as-built status.
For legacy equipment (Pre ATEX), risks of mechanical ignition sources can be assessed using Mechanical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessments in line with British Standard BSEN 80079-36 2016. Find out more about MEIRA on our dedicated page here.