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In safe hands? Marcus Rees advises how businesses should manage risks related to DSEAR materials and what can happen if regulations are not followed


are running risks. These are all too evident in the case studies featured in this article of instances in which Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) have not been applied, resulting in a fire or explosion event, with lessons learnt also covered. Part one of this series (see ‘Be aware’, F&RM March 2020, pp40-45) briefly gave an introduction to DSEAR and covered approved codes of practice; legal requirements and scope of DSEAR legislation; activities and substances; relevant regulations; determining the presence of a dangerous substance in the workplace; risk assessment; sources/grades of release; where explosive atmospheres occur; and equipment for use in hazardous areas. It also looked at the CLP (Classifi cation, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation and how to identify the presence of fl ammable liquids at the workplace, which are defi ned as: • category 1: fl ashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point ≤35 °C


E 46 MAY 2020 www.frmjournal.com


ACH DAY, businesses that store, handle and use hazardous and fl ammable materials as part of their daily business operation


• category 2: fl ashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point >35 °C


• category 3 fl ammable liquids (under CLP) fl ashpoint ≥23 °C and ≤60 °C; and combustible liquids with a fl ashpoint above 60 °C


Analysis of materials


Following the identifi cation of these materials at the workplace, we must begin to build a risk profi le for each material individually and where material composition and mixtures exist. To complete this, we need to understand the physiochemical properties involved and review the process activities where the materials are manipulated, quantities being stored, control measures in place, additional control measures required and persons at risk as a result of handling and operating (see Figure 1 on p47). The information relating to the physiochemical


properties can be found in the material safety data sheets (MSDS), which should be supplied by the distributor at the time of delivery. These data sheets should indicate the autoignition


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