Introduction

Buckinghamshire Council recognises its duty under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002 to provide a safe and healthy working environment by the control of fire and explosion risks arising from use of dangerous substances.

DSEAR puts into effect the requirements of two European Directives:

The Chemical Agents Directive (98/24/EC)

The Explosive Atmospheres Directive (99/92/EC)

It is the policy of Buckinghamshire Council that all work operations under its control or carried out on its premises should comply with this legislation.

The Regulations set minimum standards for the protection of workers from fire and explosion risks related to dangerous substances and potentially explosive atmospheres.

The Regulations apply to employers and employees at most workplaces in Great Britain where a dangerous substance could be present, for example, petrol, hydrogen peroxide or wood dusts.

The key requirements of DSEAR are that the risks from dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres are assessed, eliminated or reduced.

1.1      Scope

• DSEAR applies if:

1. a dangerous substance is present (or is liable to be present) at the workplace and;
2. the dangerous substance could be a risk to the safety of people as a result of fires, explosions or similar energetic events

• DSEAR is intended to protect not only employees at the workplace, but also any other person whether at work or not who may be put at risk by dangerous substances. This includes employees, students, visitors to the site, and members of the public. However, when considering arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies and the provision of information, instruction and training, employers only have duties to persons who are at their workplace.

1.2      Key legislative requirements

In order to ensure compliance your establishment is required to:

• Carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving dangerous substances;
• Provide technical and organisational measures to eliminate or reduce as far as is reasonably practicable the identified risks;
• Provide equipment and procedures to deal with accident and emergencies;
• Provide information and training to employees;
• Classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones and mark the zones where necessary.