Dangerous substances can pose risks to people’s safety on a number of different levels; DSEAR is concerned with the specific risks of fire and explosion and places a duty on employers and the self-employed to protect people from risks to their safety from fires, explosions and similar events in the workplace. This also includes members of the public who may be put at risk by work activities.
Dangerous substances that could, if not properly controlled, cause harm to people as a result of a fire or explosion can be found in nearly all workplaces and include such things as solvents, paints, varnishes, flammable gases, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), Hydrogen etc., dusts from machining and sanding operations and dusts from foodstuffs.
DSEAR requires us to carry out a risk assessment in order to identify what dangerous substances are in our workplace and to determine the fire and explosion risks associated with those substances in the context of their intended use. To put control measures in place to either remove those risks or, where this is not possible to effectively control them. To put controls in place to reduce the effects of any incidents involving dangerous substances and prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving dangerous substances. Identify, classify and adequately sign areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and ensure that employees are properly informed about and trained to control or deal with the risks arising from the dangerous substances.
UoN Policy and Guidance (includes the following appendices):
Pharmacy Building (Building 63)University ParkUniversity of Nottingham Nottingham, NG7 2RD Telephone: Telephone: +44 (0)115 9513401Email: h&s@nottingham.ac.uk