Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations

4 Square has extensive experience in assisting clients achieve compliance with DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations).

DSEAR is the UK implementation of two key EU directives: ATEX 137 and CAD (Chemical Agents Directive). Both directives are fundamental to the safety, health and welfare of workers and fall under the "Framework Directive" 89/391/EC.

The key requirements of DSEAR are listed below.

Employers must :

• Determine whether dangerous substances or flammable atmospheres are present in the workplace.
• Assess the risk associated with those materials.
• Eliminate or reduce that risk to tolerable levels.
• Classify work areas into zones.
• Mark hazardous areas with ATEX-approved signage.
• Verify the site explosion safety prior to first use.
• Provide suitable PPE to employees.
• Provide arrangements to handle incidents, accidents and emergencies.
• Provide information, instruction and training to employees.
• Mark, label or identify the hazardous contents of all containment systems.
• Provide a duty of co-ordination for all activities being carried out.
• To regularly review all safety procedures and systems.

4 Square Engineering Consultancy Limited can provide all services associated with DSEAR compliance. Our DSEAR and ATEX consultancy services are listed below:

• DSEAR gap analysis / verification audits.
  This is often one of the first activities to be carried out in the compliance process. We will provide a consultant on-site to examine the site safety management and documentation systems and also to carry out a preliminary assessment of the type and quantity of equipment installed. The outcome of the gap analysis is a report that clearly demonstrates the extent of the compliance activities required. The report addresses all regulations of DSEAR makes clear and unambiguous recommendations to the client.
• Hazardous area classification studies.
  As part of the compliance process we can carry out area classification studies for gas/vapour flammable atmospheres and dust atmospheres. We use the latest EN standards (e.g. BS EN 60079-10, BS EN 61241-10) in addition to sector standards where these are more appropriate (e.g. IP-15, SR/25, BAMA, etc.). It is sometimes necessary to revert to calculation of area hazardous extents using numeric methods where generic and sector standards may not provide adequate coverage.
• Equipment inspection and auditing.
  4 Square can provide inspection services through fully competent and approved inspectors. Our inspectors are experienced in a wide variety of industry sectors including gas / vapour and dust explosive atmospheres. Our inspection activities in hazardous areas are carried out strictly in accordance with BS EN 60079-17.
• Equipment specification.
  4 Square can specify new equipment and systems for use in hazardous areas using all explosion protection equipment types available. Whilst ensuring maximum value with uncompromising compliance, we are able to minimise costs by using realistic area classification analysis and assessing the most suitable protection types for the hazards involved. Our specification includes consideration of initial costs and also the whole life cycle costs associated with the equipment. In addition to equipment specification we can also provide detailed design of intrinsically safe systems and provide all associated design documentation, testing and analysis as required for such systems.
• Provision of key safety policies, procedures.
  Through our experience in a wide variety of industry sectors 4 Square can provide or assist in providing the key policies and safety management systems necessary for compliance with DSEAR. 4 Square can provide tailored safety policies such as equipment inspection, inadvertent ignition prevention, etc. We can also provide risk assessments, personnel competency assessment systems and any other documentation systems essential for DSEAR compliance. 4 Square can also assist in provision of emergency procedures to the satisfaction of external agencies such as the fire service. We can create emergency training and table exercise scenarios and assist in planning for such essential training events.
• Explosion protection documents.
  DSEAR does not specifically require an explosion protection document to be created but 4 Square recommends that its clients produce one. The objectives of Article 8 of the ATEX 137 directive clearly state what information should be in the EPD as shown below.
  • Assessment of explosion risks.
  • All measures in place with which to achieve safety.
  • Area classification documentation.
  • Maintenance / inspection systems necessary to maintain safety of equipment and personnel in the hazardous areas.
  • Explosion protected equipment inventory.
  • Safety management systems documentation and policies.
  • Duty of co-ordination procedures, e.g. PtW, CoW procedures, etc.
  • Personnel training and competency systems and records.
  • Safe provision and use of work equipment.
  Most clients already have a significant number of DSEAR compliant systems and processes in place that mean creation of an EPD is often simply a documentation search and referencing exercise. The integrity and robustness of existing safety management systems must be sufficient to meet the requirements of DSEAR. 4 Square can audit all such systems.
• DSEAR risk assessment.
  4 Square can provide the expertise necessary with which to carry out the formal assessment of risk in your workplace in accordance with the requirements of DSEAR. It is essential that the client is involved in this process to ensure that a full assessment of all materials and activities is carried out. This inclusive method of assessment adds much value to the process as client personnel will become more knowledgeable in the requirements of DSEAR and their individual responsibilities under these regulations.
• DSEAR Training.
  4 Square can provide a range of ATEX / DSEAR training courses to suit the individual requirements of each client. We can provide introductory courses from a half day through to detailed courses lasting several days. Courses can be provided at the venue of your choice.