DSEAR & ATEX

What do DSEAR and ATEX stand for?

DSEAR

DSEAR is an abbreviation for the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Dangerous substances can put peoples’ safety at risk from fire and explosion. DSEAR puts duties on employers and the self-employed to protect people from risks to their safety from fires, explosions and similar events in the workplace, this includes members of the public who may be put at risk by work activity.

ATEX

There are two EU Directives ATEX 95 (94/9/EC) and ATEX 137 (1999/92/EC) concerning, respectively, the supply and the use of equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. The term ‘ATEX’ is an acronym, derived from the French title of the 94/9/EC Directive.

ATEX is also the name commonly given to the legal requirements for controlling explosive atmospheres and the suitability of equipment and protective systems used in them.  The user Directive, ATEX 137, is implemented by HSE under The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). ATEX 137 concerns worker health and safety in those workplaces where potentially explosive atmospheres may be present.

Who does ATEX & DSEAR affect?

The ATEX directives and DSEAR regulations are most applicable to industries where potentially explosive atmospheres can form. These include chemical manufacturing, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, manufacture and the storage of bulk powders and flammable liquids or gas.

Mining industries that hold high risk rates in relation to danger from fire, explosive atmospheres and exothermic reactions etc will also need to comply with these directives and regulations.