DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

CODE OF PRACTICE

1. Introduction

The University has agreed the following Code of Practice in accordance with
the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).
The University is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the Code in the
light of further developments and it will be reviewed periodically by the
Health and Safety Committee.

The Code should be referred to in conjunction with the University's Health

and Safety Policy and individual Departmental Procedures.

The purpose of the Code is to:

Promote practical measures to minimise the risk to the health, safety and
welfare of staff, students, visitors and others who may be affected by the
work activities of the University

Meet the requirements of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive

Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR)

2. Definition of Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres

Dangerous substances as defined by the Regulations include substances,

preparations and dusts with the potential to give rise to fires, explosions and
similar energy releasing events which could cause harm to people. Dangerous
substances include petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), paints, varnishes,
solvents and certain dusts which, when mixed with air, could cause an
explosive atmosphere, e.g. from machining or sanding operations.

Explosive atmospheres are defined by the Regulations as an accumulation of

gas, mist, dust or vapour, mixed with air, which has the potential to ignite or
explode. An explosive atmosphere does not always result in an explosion but
if it ignited, the flames would quickly travel through it and if this happened in
a confined space (e.g. in plant or equipment) the rapid spread of the flames or
rise in pressure could result in an explosion.

Substances or preparations may be classified under the Chemicals (Hazard

Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (CHIP) as: explosive,
oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable or flammable.

3. Implementation

Heads of Department are responsible for the implementation of the Code

within their area of control.

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 Heads must identify who will be responsible for assessing the risks in their
Department under the Code. These individuals must be competent to carry out
the assessments, recognising their own limitations and seeking specialist
advice where necessary. In practice the person who creates a risk through the
use of a substance as defined in 2. above must at least be involved in the
assessment of that risk. Assessments may well be carried out by Research
Supervisors, Course Tutors, Departmental Safety Officers or line managers.
Those involved in the assessments must be familiar with the requirements of
the DSEAR Regulations and Approved Code of Practice and the Universitys
Code of Practice. They should know where to obtain information on
substances, how they are used and stored, what control measures are
necessary and when to consult others for help and advice.

Heads of Departments, assisted by Departmental Safety Officers, must satisfy

themselves that DSEAR assessments are

Completed
Consistent and to a reasonable standard
Relate to the actual work being undertaken
Recorded and where appropriate proper records maintained
Reviewed

Staff and students must cooperate with their Head of Department in making
assessments. They must make full and proper use of any safe system of work,
and/or prescribed control measures, reporting any defects and where
appropriate participate in any monitoring. They must also participate in
training and make full use of information and instructions.

4. Arrangements

The key steps to the arrangements are

Step 1 - Check whether the substance or preparation has been classified under
the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations
(CHIP) as: explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable or
flammable.

Step 2 - Assess the physical and chemical properties of the substance or

preparation and the work processes involved to see whether the work activity
creates a potential for fire, explosion or similar energetic (energy releasing)
event.

Step 3 - Check to see if the work activity involves the creation or handling of
potentially combustible or explosive dusts.

Step 4 Carry out a risk assessment of any work activities involving

dangerous substances. Record the findings of the risk assessment including
how they are used and who might be affected.

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 Step 5 Provide controls to eliminate or reduce risks as far as is reasonably
practicable. Ensure the controls are implemented and maintained.

Step 6 - Provide appropriate information, instruction and training about the

risks and the precautions to be taken.

Step 7 Classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones
and mark the zones where necessary

Step 8 Set a date for review of the risk assessment.

5. Assessment

In its simplest terms the risk assessment is an identification and careful

examination of the dangerous substances present or liable to be present in the
workplace; the work activities involving them; any existing controls; and how
they might fail and cause fire, explosion or similar events that could harm staff
and/or others and then deciding on any further action needed to remove or
reduce those risks.

It should take account of such matters as:

the hazardous properties of the substances;
the way they are used or stored;
the possibility of hazardous explosive atmospheres occurring;
all potential ignition sources.

A risk assessment should be carried out regardless of the quantity of dangerous

substance present, as it will enable a decision on whether existing control
measures are sufficient or whether any additional controls or precautions are
necessary. As well as assessing the normal activities within the workplace, the
assessment should address non-routine activities, such as maintenance work.

The significant findings of the risk assessment must be recorded. In practice

all but the simplest assessment will need to be recorded. If an assessment has
already been carried out under the COSHH Code of Practice or Risk
Assessment Code of Practice then there is no need to repeat it, provided that
the assessment has already considered the potentially explosive, oxidising or
flammable nature of the substance or dust.

In practice, the generic Risk Assessment form may be used to record the
assessment, but this will need to be supported by the specific DSEAR
assessment form (attached as Appendix 1).

Although in many circumstances it will be necessary to obtain the Material

Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to obtain essential information for particular
substances, the MSDS alone does not constitute an assessment. The
assessment must consider many aspects but in particular, how the substance is
used and stored.

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 The Regulations require that the safety risks from dangerous substances are
eliminated or, where this is not reasonably practicable, measures are taken to
control risks and reduce the harmful effects of any fire, explosion or similar
event, so far as is reasonably practicable. The Regulations identify a hierarchy
of types of protection that must be considered and applied in order of priority,
namely:

5.1 Substitution
This is involves replacing a dangerous substance with a substance or process
that totally eliminates the risk. In practice this may be difficult to achieve and
it is more likely that it will be more practicable to replace the dangerous
substance with one that is less hazardous (e.g. by replacing a low-flashpoint
solvent with a high-flashpoint one). An alternative is to design the process so
that it is less dangerous. This might include, for example, changing the manner
or sequence in which the dangerous substance is added. However, care must
be taken when carrying out these steps to ensure that no other new safety or
health risks are created or increased, which then outweigh the improvements
implemented as a result of DSEAR.

In reality, where the dangerous substance is handled or stored for use as a fuel,
there is often no scope for elimination and very little chance to reduce the
quantities handled. Where risk cannot be entirely eliminated control and
mitigation measures to reduce risk must be applied in the following order of
priority as follows:

5.2 Control measures

reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum;

avoid or minimise releases;
control releases at source;
prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere;
collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place (e.g. by
ventilation);
avoid ignition sources;
avoid adverse conditions (e.g. exceeding the limits of temperature or
other control settings) that could lead to danger;
keep incompatible substances apart.

5.3 Mitigation measures

preventing fires and explosions from spreading to other plant and

equipment or to other parts of the workplace;
reducing the numbers of employees exposed to a minimum;
in the case of process plant, providing plant and equipment that can
safely contain or suppress an explosion, or vent it to a safe place.

Any measures taken to achieve the elimination or the reduction of risk should
take into account the design, construction and maintenance of the workplace
and work processes, including all relevant plant, equipment, control and
protection systems.
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5.4 Explosive Atmospheres

In locations where explosive atmospheres may occur, the following action

must be taken:

areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur are classified

into zones based on their likelihood and persistence;
areas classified into zones are protected from sources of ignition by
selecting equipment and protective systems meeting the requirements of
the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially
Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, although equipment already in use
before July 2003 can continue to be used indefinitely provided the risk
assessment shows it is safe to do so;
where necessary, areas classified into zones are marked with a specified
"EX" sign at their points of entry;
where employees work in zoned areas they are provided with appropriate
clothing that does not create a risk of an electrostatic discharge igniting the
explosive atmosphere;
before coming into operation for the first time, areas where hazardous
explosive atmospheres may be present are confirmed as being safe by a
person competent in the field of explosion protection.

These additional requirements in relation to explosive atmospheres come into

effect at different times refer to the DSEAR Regulations for guidance.

5.5 Accidents, Incidents and Emergencies

The University has in place emergency procedures in the event of fire,

spillages etc which include evacuation, means of summoning the emergency
services etc. However as part of the risk assessment process consideration
should be given to the need to supplement existing procedures if an accident,
incident or emergency should arise e.g. fire or significant spillage. This could
include:

suitable warning (including visual and audible alarms) and

communication systems;
escape facilities;
supplementary emergency procedures;
equipment and clothing for essential personnel dealing with the
incident;
practice drills.

However the scale and nature of the emergency arrangements should be

proportionate to the level of risk.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION - HOW SAFE IS YOUR WORKPLACE?
5.6 Implement and Maintain Controls

Heads must ensure that control measures are implemented and maintained.
Controls must be kept in good working order and in good repair. Regular

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 checks should be made to ensure they continue to operate as intended. These
checks include visual checks, inspection, testing, servicing and remedial work
e.g. local exhaust ventilation must be tested at least once every 14 months or
earlier where necessary and a written record kept for at least 5 years.

Staff and students must co-operate and make full and proper use of prescribed
control measures, reporting any defects. They must also participate in training
and make full use of information and instructions.

5.7 Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision

Staff, students, contractors and others working at the University should be

provided with suitable information, instruction and training about the
precautions and actions to be taken to safeguard themselves and others. This
would include

Name of substances in use and risks they present

Access to any relevant data sheet
Details of legislation that applies to the hazardous properties of those
substances
Significant findings of the risk assessment
Control measures and how to use them
How to use personal protective equipment and clothing provided
Emergency procedures

6. Further Information

Further information may be obtained from Health and Safety Officer,

Occupational Health Nurse Advisor or Departmental Safety Officers.

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 Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Specific Risk Assessment
This specific risk assessment process must be completed if the substances that you are
working with, handling or storing are flammable, extremely flammable, highly flammable,
oxidising, explosive, or capable of producing an explosive atmosphere. To be completed in
conjunction with any generic risk assessment for the task/activity being undertaken.

If a proprietary product, does the hazard information contained within the Material
Safety Data Sheet, or on the labelling on the product packaging denote that it is (tick
box):

Extremely Highly
Explosive Oxidising Flammable
flammable flammable
or has a flash point lower than 32oC
or that; release of vapour/gas may produce an explosive atmosphere

If a substance is produced as a result of an in-house process, or as a bi-product of such a

process, is that substance (tick box):

Extremely Highly
Explosive Oxidising Flammable
flammable flammable
or has a flash point lower than 32oC
or, could release of vapour/gas/dust produce an explosive
Yes No
atmosphere

If No has been answered to all of the above questions you may terminate the risk
assessment at this point, otherwise continue:

Note here names of product, or substance being handled, stored, or produced:

Note here how a work system, or activity could fail and give rise to fire or explosion, also note
any sources of ignition:

Control measures (circle answer as appropriate)

Process/activity
Where appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation:

Has the quantity of the dangerous substance held/used been reduced to a minimum?
Yes No
Have steps been taken to avoid, or minimise releases (intentional or unintentional)?
Yes No

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Control measures (cont)

Have steps been taken to control releases at source?

Yes No
Have steps been taken to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere?
Yes No N/A
Have steps been taken to collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place (e.g. by
ventilation)?
Yes No
Have steps been taken to avoid adverse conditions (e.g. Exceeding the limits of temperature
or other control settings)?
Yes No N/A
Are incompatible substances kept apart in storage and, so far as is practicable, in use (e.g.
oxidisers and combustibles)?
Yes No
Have the number of employees exposed to the dangerous substances or explosive
atmosphere been reduced to the minimum?
Yes No
Has plant been supplied that is explosion resistant?
Yes No N/A
Is explosion suppression or relief provided on equipment?
Yes No N/A
Have adequate measures been taken to control or minimise the spread of fire, or explosion?
Yes No
Has suitable personal Protective Equipment (PPE) been provided, and have operatives been
trained how to wear it correctly?
Yes No N/A

Workplace/process and management systems

Where appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation:

Is the workplace designed, constructed and maintained so as to provide adequate fire-

resistance and/or explosion relief?
Yes No
Is any assembly, construction, installation, rig, plant, equipment, protection system, etc.,
designed in such a manner as to minimise risk of fire and/or explosion?
Yes No
Is any such assembly, construction, installation, rig, plant, equipment, protection systems,
etc., used in such a manner as to minimise risk of fire and/or explosion?
Yes No
Have appropriate safe systems of work, or other required procedural systems of organising
work, been developed and communicated to the workforce, either by way of this form or
another document?
Yes No
Is a permit to work scheme required for working with the substance(s), or in the work area,
and are these strictly enforced?
Yes No

In the case of explosive atmospheres; (if not applicable tick here and proceed to
storage)

Have all such areas been classified in to zones in accordance with Schedule 2 to the
Regulations?
Yes No

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Where necessary have such classified zones been marked at their entry points with the
specified EX hazard warning sign?
Yes No N/A
Are all areas classified into such zones appropriately protected from sources of ignition,
through the selection of equipment and protective systems compliant with the Equipment and
Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996?
Yes No
Are employees working in zoned areas provided with clothing that does not create a risk of
electrostatic discharge?
Yes No
Have areas where explosive atmospheres may be present, before their first operation, been
verified as being safe by a person, or organisation competent in the field of explosion
protection?
Yes No

Storage
Are all flammable substances kept in suitable fire resistant storage and are all quantities in
excess of 50ltrs kept in dedicated and appropriately protected flammable stores?
Yes No
Are all petroleum spirits, or derivatives thereof, in excess of 50ltrs kept in dedicated and
appropriately protected petroleum spirit stores?
Yes No
Are incompatible substances stored apart (e.g. flammables, oxidisers, combustibles,
flammable gases, LPG)?
Yes No
Where appropriate have storage areas been designed to provide explosion relief/resistance?
Yes No N/A

Emergency procedures
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to the workforce to
deal with adverse process conditions (e.g. exceeding limits of temperature, or other control
settings)?
Yes No N/A
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to the workforce to
deal with fire and evacuation?
Yes No
Have suitable emergency procedures been developed and communicated to the workforce to
deal with the spillage of dangerous substances?
Yes No

Waste disposal
Have suitable procedures been developed, communicated to the workforce and implemented
to deal with the safe transport and disposal of dangerous substances?
Yes No

Information, Instruction and Training

Has appropriate information, instruction and training, commensurate with the hazard potential
of the dangerous substances, or process, been provided to the workforce as regards; product
detail, hazard, risk reduction methods to be employed, management systems to be followed,
emergency systems, etc.?
Yes No
Are only trained and competent persons involved in work with dangerous substances?
Yes No

Where any question relevant to a dangerous substance being used, produced, handled or
stored has returned a No response, the subject area should be revisited to ensure that all
required and reasonably practicable risk reducing measures have been implemented.

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Conclusion

The risk(s) from the hazard potential of the dangerous substances and/or explosive
atmospheres identified in this risk assessment must be reduced to the lowest level reasonably
practicable, are you satisfied that this is the case? Yes No

Name of assessor Signature

Date assessment undertaken Date review required

N.B There is a page following

Safe System of Work (to be communicated to the relevant workforce)

As a result of risk assessment of the work process involving the following dangerous
substance(s)

this including their handling, storage and ability, in the form that they present in the work
situation, to result in an explosive atmosphere, the following safe system of work (rules of
work) must be observed and adhered to at all times.

(Continue on another sheet if required)

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In the event of an emergency situation actions laid out in the safe system of work that are
designed to minimise damage to equipment or property should only be undertaken if this does
not put yourself or others at significant risk, personal safety and that of others must take
priority.

I have read and understood the above safe system of work.

Signature Date

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