DSEAR vs COSHH
DSEAR and COSHH ask different questions. DSEAR focuses on harmful physical effects from fire, explosion and similar events. COSHH focuses on health risks from exposure to hazardous substances.
Check my situationAsk two different harm questions
For DSEAR, ask how the substance could cause a fire, explosion, pressure event or other harmful physical effect. For COSHH, ask how exposure through breathing, skin, eyes or ingestion could damage health.
- Does the substance or process create both physical-hazard and health-hazard information?
- Are release, ignition and emergency controls covered as well as exposure controls?
- Do the records clearly show which risk assessment answers which duty?
What to do next: If a document discusses only PPE, exposure limits and health effects, do not assume it answers DSEAR. If it discusses only fire and explosion, do not assume it answers COSHH.
The same substance can appear in both assessments
A solvent may create inhalation or skin-exposure risk under COSHH and fire or explosion risk under DSEAR. Fine dust may similarly present both respiratory and combustible-dust hazards.
The substance inventory and safety data can support both assessments, but the routes to harm, people at risk and control reasoning differ. Completing one assessment does not automatically complete the other.
Controls can overlap without being interchangeable
Substitution, containment, local exhaust ventilation, housekeeping and maintenance may help both health and safety outcomes. Their design basis and evidence of effectiveness still need to match the particular risk.
For example, extraction selected to control worker exposure is not automatically demonstrated to control an explosive atmosphere, and explosion-risk controls do not by themselves establish adequate exposure control.
A useful document check
Look for distinct consideration of substance health hazards, physical hazards, exposure routes, releases, ignition sources, fire and explosion controls, and emergency arrangements.
- Health effects and routes of exposure
- Physical hazards and credible release scenarios
- Exposure-control measures and their performance
- Ignition prevention and consequence mitigation
- Separate findings, actions and review triggers