ATEX 137 and DSEAR

On July 1st 2006 the DSEAR guidelines
came into full force within the UK

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) sets minimum requirements for the protection of workers from fire and explosion risks related to dangerous substances and potentially explosive atmospheres in the workplace.

DSEAR is the ‘framework’ adopted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to facilitate compliance to ATEX 137 within the UK. Other European countries will not adhere to DSEAR specifically, however, there will be similar frameworks in place as a vehicle towards ATEX 137 compliance.

Responsibilities and Requirements of DSEAR

It is the responsibility of the employer to minimise the risks to their employees that can result from potentially explosive atmospheres (i.e. where there is presence of gases, vapours, liquids or dusts).

DSEAR calls upon several requirements to facilitate this:



• Conduct risk assessments of non-electrical equipment already installed on-site.
• Carry out competent risk assessments on any work activities involving dangerous substances.
• Provide equipment and procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies.
• Provide instruction and training to employees.
• Classify the site into zones of risk (Area Classification).
• Use appropriate (certified) equipment in hazardous areas.
• Co-ordinate site health and safety for all users of the site, including subcontractors, maintenance crews, security staff etc.

Sira Explosive Atmospheres Management Service (SEAMS)

The Sira Explosive Atmospheres Management Service (SEAMS) provides a complete solution to meeting the DSEAR regulations.

SEAMS reflects the core values of Sira by incorporating technical excellence, responsiveness, freethinking, commitment and, most of all, commercial orientation.

Our team of DSEAR experts have backgrounds in operation, production or maintenance for blue chip companies in the process industry, and as such are aware of the practical difficulties and constraints of implementing new legislation. We can therefore offer pragmatic and practical solutions to your DSEAR problems, using bespoke software and methodology designed solely for that purpose.

To date, we have been involved with ensuring compliance at several multinational companies within the UK, and our experience and expertise covers the petro-chem, pharmaceutical, food and water industries to name a few.

Our experienced and committed DSEAR team is ready to help you comply with the directive, as well as laying the groundwork for sustained compliance in the future.

Life after the Deadline

Even though the deadline has now passed, it does not mean that all the hard work is now finished. Far from it! There is now the task to continuously monitor and maintain the site, continuously check the appropriateness of the area classification, and continuously improve the competence of your employees and work practices.

And of course, several sites (including those not yet operational) may still not yet be fully compliant, meaning the need to achieve compliance is now more important than ever.

Sira DSEAR Services

The links on the left offer more information about our range of DSEAR services, and how Sira can help you reach and maintain compliance. From site surveys and gap-analysis reviews, to the undertaking of a full DSEAR Compliance project, Sira is both able and experienced to ensure you meet the requirements.

For more information about our Hazardous Area Services, please use the links on the left.