Common DSEAR Hazards Hiding in Everyday Workplaces (Yes, Even Yours)

When people hear "explosive atmosphere," they picture oil rigs and chemical factories. Not office kitchens. Not cleaning cupboards. And definitely not the hand sanitiser dispenser in reception.

But DSEAR — the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations — has a much wider reach than most employers realise. If you have substances in your workplace that can catch fire or create a flammable atmosphere, DSEAR applies. And the list of qualifying substances might surprise you.

The Usual Suspects

Let's start with the obvious ones. Any workplace that stores or uses petrol, diesel, LPG, acetylene, solvents, thinners, adhesives, paints, varnishes, or industrial gases is squarely within DSEAR territory. Vehicle workshops, manufacturing facilities, printing works, laboratories and construction sites typically recognise (or should recognise) that they have DSEAR obligations.

These are the workplaces where a DSEAR assessment is clearly necessary. But they're not the only ones.

The Hidden Hazards

Here's where it gets interesting. DSEAR covers any substance that could create a fire or explosive atmosphere. That includes substances that many employers would never think of as dangerous:

Hand sanitiser and alcohol gels. These typically contain 60-80% ethanol or isopropanol. They're flammable liquids. Since the pandemic, many workplaces have dispensers everywhere — in lobbies, on every desk, at every entrance. Individually, a small dispenser is low risk. But bulk storage of hand sanitiser in a warm storeroom? That's a DSEAR consideration.

Aerosol cans. Air fresheners, cleaning sprays, WD-40, spray paint, deodorant — aerosol cans contain flammable propellants. A single can is low risk. A storeroom full of them, particularly if they're stored near a heat source, is a different matter entirely.

Cleaning products. Many commercial cleaning products contain flammable solvents. Floor strippers, degreasers, glass cleaners, oven cleaners — check the safety data sheets. If the product is classified as flammable, DSEAR applies to its storage and use.

Cooking oils and fats. Commercial kitchens generate flammable vapours during cooking, particularly deep-frying. Extraction systems need proper maintenance and cleaning to prevent grease accumulation, which itself becomes a fire hazard.

Dust. This is the one that catches the most people off guard. Many types of organic dust are explosive when dispersed in air at the right concentration. Flour dust, sugar dust, wood dust, grain dust, powdered milk, cocoa powder, spice dust — if your business generates fine particulate dust, DSEAR almost certainly applies.

Battery charging areas. Lead-acid batteries (the type in forklifts and backup power systems) produce hydrogen gas when charging. Hydrogen is extremely flammable and explosive. A battery charging room without adequate ventilation is a DSEAR risk.

Why These Hazards Get Overlooked

The problem is one of perception. Employers associate DSEAR with heavy industry, so they don't consider it for their office, shop, care home, school or warehouse. The substances seem mundane — everyone uses hand sanitiser, everyone has cleaning products, every kitchen has cooking oil. They don't feel dangerous.

But DSEAR doesn't care how the substance feels. It cares about what the substance can do. And a cloud of flour dust at the right concentration is just as explosive as a cloud of propane — the 2015 explosion at a Taiwanese water park was caused by coloured corn starch powder, killing 15 people.

Practical Steps

You don't need to panic. The presence of DSEAR-applicable substances doesn't automatically mean your workplace is about to explode. But it does mean you need to assess and manage the risk.

Start by identifying what flammable substances are present in your workplace. Check the safety data sheets for every chemical product you use or store. Consider dust-generating processes. Think about gas supplies, battery charging and any other potential sources of flammable atmospheres.

If you identify substances that fall within DSEAR's scope, you need a DSEAR risk assessment. This evaluates the likelihood of a dangerous concentration forming, identifies where it could happen, determines what ignition sources are present in those areas, and recommends control measures to either eliminate the risk or reduce it to an acceptable level.

For many low-risk workplaces, the control measures are straightforward: proper storage, adequate ventilation, good housekeeping, appropriate signage and basic awareness training. You don't need to treat the cleaning cupboard like a petrochemical plant. But you do need to demonstrate that you've considered the risk and put proportionate controls in place.

The Bottom Line

DSEAR applies to far more workplaces than most employers realise. The substances don't have to be exotic or obviously dangerous — everyday products like sanitiser, aerosols, cleaning chemicals and even food ingredients can create DSEAR-applicable hazards.

If you haven't considered whether DSEAR applies to your workplace, it's worth taking a closer look. You might be surprised what you find.

Think DSEAR might apply to your workplace? Book a DSEAR Assessment →

York Green Safety Partners provides DSEAR risk assessments for all types of workplaces across the UK. Based in Cheshire, covering the whole country.