Do I need a DSEAR assessment?
You are likely to need to assess DSEAR risks when a dangerous substance is or could be present at a workplace. The exact answer depends on the substance, quantity, process, potential release and possible consequences.
Check my situationUse a three-part threshold
Ask whether work is being carried out, whether a dangerous substance is present or could be present, and whether it could put people at risk through fire, explosion, another energetic event, a gas under pressure or corrosion to metal.
- Check what is created by the process as well as what arrives in a labelled container.
- Include cleaning, maintenance, charging, waste, breakdown and foreseeable abnormal conditions.
- Do not use quantity alone as the answer: release conditions, confinement and ignition sources also matter.
What to do next: A clear yes to the three-part threshold means the risk should be assessed. If substance properties or release conditions are uncertain, treat that as a scoping question rather than a reason to answer no.
Strong indicators
Common indicators include flammable liquids or gases, solvent use, fuels, potentially explosive dust clouds, gases under pressure and substances capable of energetic thermal events.
A product classification or safety data sheet helps identify intrinsic hazards, but the assessment must also consider the way the material is stored and used. A sealed small container and an open heated transfer are not equivalent situations.
- Spraying or coating with solvent-borne products
- Decanting or transferring fuel or flammable liquid
- Producing or extracting fine wood, food, plastic or metal dust
- Using LPG or another flammable or pressurised gas
- Introducing or materially changing plant involving these hazards
What Regulation 5 asks you to consider
The legal list includes hazardous properties, supplier safety information, work processes, amounts, combinations of substances, storage and transport, maintenance, existing controls, explosive atmospheres, ignition sources and the anticipated effects of fire or explosion.
It also requires review when there is reason to suspect the assessment is no longer valid or a significant change affects the workplace, process or organisation of work. An old report is therefore evidence to review, not proof that the current operation is covered.
When a simple screen is not enough
Escalate early where there are multiple release points, combustible dust, uncertain material data, new plant design, occupied areas close to the process or a possibility that hazardous area classification is needed.
A competent person should be able to state what information is missing and whether a proportionate desktop review, site survey, testing or more specialist engineering work is required.