DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES & EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES REGULATIONS (dsear) / ATEX directive 137

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) were created in the UK to implement EU Directive 1999/92/EC (The Atex 137 Directive). Although the UK is no longer part of the European Union, DSEAR continues to apply in the UK, with requirements unchanged as compared to pre-January 2021.

The requirements for assessment of hazardous from Explosive Atmospheres for operators based in EU Member states are essentially the same as those for DSEAR compliance

‍

The primary purpose of DSEAR / ATEX 137 is to protect the safety of workers and others who may be at risk from dangerous substances that can cause a fire, explosion, or similar energy-releasing event, such as a runaway exothermic reaction.

As such it is important to note that DSEAR / ATEX 137 relates to risk to people as opposed to risk to business assets or consequential (financial) loss.

In simple terms the Regulations impose three key duties on owners of sites where dangerous substances are handled :

1. To complete a risk assessment of the operations in which the dangerous substances are handled, with a view to demonstrating an acceptable degree of fire and explosion safety in light of potential threat to people
2. To classify areas in the workplace where explosive atmospheres could arise in terms of the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere becoming present (area classification)
3. To employ suitable safety management systems to ensure acceptable levels of explosion safety

Explosion Protection Document - Reasoned Demonstration for Why Risk is ALARP

Based on the findings of a detailed, systematic, assessment, the Regulations require that a formal record is made of the potential hazards associated with operations at a given site and the controls in place to ensure that risk to personnel from these hazards is at a level that can be considered As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). The information making the case for safety at the site is normally collated in an Explosion protection Document.

The Area Classification element of DSEAR / ATEX 137 requires that places where explosive atmosphere can arise and their likelihood, in order to determine what, if any, ignition control measures are necessary within a workplace.

Assessment Needed before a Workplace is brought into Service

The Regulations require that, before a workplace containing places where explosive atmospheres may occur is brought into service its overall explosion safety should be verified, with the verification carried out by persons competent in the field of explosion protection as a result of their experience and / or professional training.

‍

Phoenix Loss Prevention Limited have consultants who provide this expertise.

Our consultants possess the in depth knowledge to undertake calculations for verification of explosion safety measures, thereby ensuring that the Explosion Protection Document makes a robust case for safety.