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Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR)

What does the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations mean for your business?

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) are UK laws designed to protect people from fire, explosion and similar risks caused by dangerous substances in the workplace.

In simple terms: If your business stores, uses, or creates flammable, explosive or chemically reactive substances, DSEAR applies to you. This includes obvious materials like petrol, solvents, gases and powders, but it also covers everyday substances such as paints, cleaning products, and even large amounts of dust from food, wood or metal.

Your responsibilities under DSEAR

As an employer, you are required to:

  • Identify dangerous substances present in your workplace.
  • Assess the risks of fire, explosion or similar incidents.
  • Put control measures in place to remove or reduce those risks.
  • Provide information and training so staff know how to work safely.
  • Prepare for emergencies, including having clear procedures and protective equipment.
  • Provide information, instruction, and training to staff.
  • Maintain safe equipment and facilities.

What it means for businesses:

  • Legal duty:
    Compliance is not optional; it’s a legal requirement enforced
    by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
  • Risk management:
    Businesses must proactively manage and document fire/
    explosion hazards from dangerous substances.
  • Cost & planning:
    May require investment in safer equipment, better
    ventilation, or safer storage.
  • Training focus:
    Staff need to understand the hazards and safe procedures.
  • Inspection readiness:
    HSE can inspect and take enforcement action for breaches.
Does DSEAR affect your business?
If you work in sectors like manufacturing, engineering, construction, transport, warehousing, laboratories, food production or farming, it’s very likely that DSEAR duties apply to you. Even small businesses can be affected if they handle fuels, chemicals or combustible dusts.
DSEAR applies to all sectors. It’s not just chemical plants, DSEAR covers many businesses including:
  • Factories using flammable solvents
  • Food production (where flour dust or
    sugar dust can be explosive)
  • Garages (petrol vapour)
  • Waste processing
  • Laboratories
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Why it matters

Failure to comply with DSEAR can lead not only to serious accidents and injuries but also to enforcement action, fines and reputational damage. On the other hand, compliance helps keep your employees safe, protects your business assets, and demonstrates a commitment to best practice in health and safety.

occupational hygiene

Working with Anchem gives you the confidence that all assessments and monitoring activities are carried out in accordance with the latest regulations and best practice standards. .

Our expert team combines over 40 years of industry experience testing and risk assessment and monitoring to detailed reporting and staff training, we support your organisation in achieving full DSEAR compliance while maintaining safe and efficient operations.

Anchem DSEAR testing will ensure your facilities are:

  • Classified into zones based on likelihood / duration of risk.
  • Fitted with suitable equipment marked for those zones (ATEX-rated equipment).
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With Anchem, you get more than just results - you get expert advice, dependable service, and practical solutions tailored to your specific needs. Let us help you create a safer, healthier work environment.

Contact us to discuss your DSEAR testing today. With our extensive experience and skillbase, we can provide tailored solutions to meet your unique requirements.

Our expert team is here to help you find the testing fit for your needs - just a call or click away! Contact us today for a quick quote or message us via the link, and we’ll respond promptly.

Reasons to choose Anchem

Anchem has undertaken a wide variety of occupational hygiene monitoring and assessments for over 40 years. This has enabled us to gain respect and significant experience within the industrial and private sector.

We’re experts in air emissions testing, with a strong focus on helping businesses stay compliant with environmental regulations. With years of experience under our belt, we specialise in collecting and analysing air samples from industrial processes to the highest recognised standards. 

Our team is trained to use precise methods to measure everything from common gases like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, to more complex substances such as mercury, heavy metals, and organic compounds.

We also carry out in-depth testing for pollutants like dioxins, furans, and fine particles, using well-established techniques that meet both UK and European quality requirements. 

Whether you're looking for routine emissions monitoring, detailed investigations into specific pollutants, or help planning a tailored sampling strategy, we’re here to support you every step of the way with reliable, professional service - and no confusing technical talk.

At Anchem, we make clean air compliance simple.

Our extensive client base is drawn from both the public and private sector and bears witness to our integrity and professional expertise. 

It is this proven capability, combined with our comprehensive technical resources and approved systems and protocols that enable us to successfully meet your most challenging environmental demands whether for assessment, monitoring, analytical testing or investigative consultancy

Anchem Laboratories is a trusted, multi-disciplined UKAS-accredited laboratory delivering expert environmental testing, inspection, and analysis. 

Accredited to ISO 17020 and ISO 17025, Anchem ensures the highest standards in asbestos inspections, sampling, and air monitoring - carried out by BOHS-qualified specialists.

The lab also holds MCERTS accreditation for stack emissions testing and actively participates in national quality control schemes like RICE and AIMS, ensuring accuracy and reliability in every result.

Our laboratory consultancy offers a full spectrum of accredited testing, inspection, and analytical services, supported by advanced facilities and highly qualified specialists.

Operating to rigorous national and international standards, we maintain recognised accreditations that ensure consistent quality, reliability, and compliance.

Our expert team participates in external quality assurance programmes and professional networks, continually refining methods and maintaining technical excellence to deliver trusted results across every project.