Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR)

We have over fifty years experience in providing testing and consultancy services for the powder processing, and other industries. Our extensive knowledge allows us to quickly evaluate and deliver DSEAR (ATEX) risk assessments to help you comply with the DSEAR regulations 2002 and the European Directive 1999/92/EC. The DSEAR legislation came into force on 9 December 2002 and demonstrates compliance with the ATEX directive 99/92/EC. It sets minimum requirements for the protection of workers from fire and explosion risks related to dangerous substances and potentially explosive atmospheres.

In the UK the DSEAR regulations implement two European Directives:

  • Explosive Atmospheres Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX 137)
  • The safety aspects of the Chemical Agents Directive (CAD)

To comply with the DSEAR(ATEX) regulations employers must:

  • Undertake a DSEAR (UK) or ATEX (Europe) risk assessment of all operations involving potentially dangerous substances.
  • Take actions to eliminate or reduce the risks presented by dangerous substances.
  • Undertake a hazardous area classification or hazardous area zoning
  • Ensure correctly rated electrical and mechanical equipment is used within the hazardous areas or zones
  • Produce hazardous area zoning drawings showing where the dangerous substances produce the explosive atmosphere
  • Provide assessments and arrangements to deal with accidents and emergencies
  • Provide information and DSEAR (ATEX) training to employees
  • Identify pipes and containers where these contain dangerous substances
  • Co-ordinate explosion protection measures where employers share the same workplace

We are able to provide the following services:

  • DSEAR consultancy to demonstrate compliance with UK or European legislation on explosive atmospheres
  • DSEAR (ATEX) risk assessments
  • DSEAR (ATEX) hazardous area zoning
  • DSEAR (ATEX) staff training in fire and explosion awareness
  • DSEAR (ATEX) advice on correct rating of equipment used in hazardous areas
  • Third party verification of in-house DSEAR (ATEX) risk assessment and zoning for compliance with regulations
  • General advice on explosion prevention and protection
  • Explosion incident investigation
  • Expert witness in explosion and fire incidents
  • HAZOPs

The following list are just some examples of the commonly used dangerous substances which may require a risk assessment under the DSEAR or ATEX regulations depending on the manufacturing processes and the means of handling and storage.

Examples of typical dangerous substances in the workplace

Acrylic Polymer  Hydroxy-methyl-phenylpyraolidone 
Aluminium Dust Leather Dust
Amino Alcohol Liquorice Powder
Bronze Powder Melamine Dust
Carbon Black Paper Dust
Carbon Fibre Dust Paraformaldehyde
Coal Dust Pharmaceutical Powders
Coke Dust Phenolic Resin
Composite Dust Phenylpyrazolidone (PHN)
Curry Powder Pigment Powder
Dimethyl-phenylpyrazolidone (DPP) Plastic Dust
Dried Sewage Sludge Polyelectrolyte Powder
Fibre Insulation Potato Starch
Flour Refined Sugar
Glass Fibre Polyurethane Resin Dust
Grain Dusts Sodium Flurbiprofen
Gum Arabic  Sulfuramide
HDPE Tea
  Wood