This is a specialist area for which many businesses do not have the in-house resources to achieve compliance in full.
What is ATEX/DSEAR?
DSEAR stands for The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and is UK legislation. ATEX stands for Explosive Atmospheres Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX 137) and is EU legislation.
These regulations are designed to protect people and property from fires and explosive events due to use of dangerous substances (i.e. with potential to cause fire, explosion or other energy releasing scenarios) in the workplace. These typically include; flammable liquids, vapours, powders or dusts.
Do I need ATEX/DSEAR compliance?
If your business stores, handles and transports dangerous Substances, there is a good chance you will need compliance.
Industries that most commonly require DSEAR/ATEX include petrochemical and chemical manufacturers, food processors and pharmaceuticals.
Who enforces ATEX/DSEAR?
Primarily the HSE with some degree of involvement from Local Authorities, Fire Brigades and Petroleum Licensing Authorities. Non-compliant ATEX/DSEAR business have been issued with prohibition notices from the HSE and forced to achieve compliance before being granted permission to operate.
How can R B Plant help?
R B Plant has an engineering team who are not only fully versed in this area but also have the required experience to interpret and apply ATEX/DSEAR requirements pragmatically, leaving clients 100% reassured they have a compliant process. We can either retrospectively assess ATEX/DSEAR for an existing process or as part of a project for a new process.
Our systematic and effective approach to help you achieve compliance:
Stage 1 – Review/Gap Analysis
We carry out a:
- Full site survey of existing processes and dangerous substances.
- Review of all available DSEAR/ATEX related documentation and records.
We will then provide you with a report detailing what actions need to be carried out and what documentation/records need to be produced in Stage 2 to achieve compliance.
Stage 2 – Report
Here we give you reports and recommendations that are value for money, practical and compliant, this includes:
- Risk Assessments to eliminate and mitigate risks.
- Hazardous Area Classification and Drawings.
- Identification of ignition sources
- Review and selection of Equipment to comply with the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 (EPS).
- Advice on Elimination and Mitigation of Risks.
- Design and Implementation of Explosion Prevention and Prevention Measures.
- Definition of the Basis for Safety for Potentially Dangerous Processes plus workplace Risk assessments to conform to the management of Health and Safety Work Regulations 1999.
Stage 3 – ATEX/DSEAR Operating Procedures
Stage 2 is about helping you achieve ATEX/DSEAR compliance, stage 3 is about keeping your processes compliant going forward. We then provide you with:
- Safety training programmes to deal effectively with accidents, incidents and emergencies.
- Operating and maintenance procedures.
- Emergency plans.
- Action plan including reviews and audits.