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UK Statutory Instrument
2002
United Kingdom
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
11 compliance obligations, 9 practical guides across 2 topics · 1 journey
Penalty landscape
8 of 11 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 3 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Employer 11
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
9 guidesChemical manufacturer: compliance checklist
Coke and petroleum manufacturer: compliance checklist
Hydrogen Production Licensing and Compliance
Operate a safe chemical manufacturing site: major-hazard, environmental and explosives controls
Set up and run a safe metal production plant
Set up and run a safe mining support service
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 236 duties
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 120 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 72 duties
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 52 duties
- Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 2003 50 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
2 years imprisonment- Select safe equipment for explosive atmospheres Employer
Designing, constructing, assembling, installing, providing and using suitable work processes...
- Design and use suitable work processes to reduce risk from dangerous substances Employer
Browse 32 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
( which substantially reproduces the provisions of Annex III of Council Directive 99/92/EC )
The following measures are those specified for the purposes of...
Ensuring that the workplace is designed, constructed and maintained so...
Maintaining work processes in an efficient state, in efficient working...
Ensuring that equipment and protective systems meet the following requirements—...
The application of appropriate systems of work including—
Places where explosive atmospheres may occur
Schedule 2 para.1n2
Classification of hazardous places
“Normal operation” means the situation when installations are used within...
A place in which an explosive atmosphere is not expected...
Schedule 2 para.wrapper2n2
Schedule 2 para.wrapper3n2
Schedule 2 para.wrapper4n2
Schedule 2 para.wrapper5n2
Schedule 2 para.wrapper6n2
Schedule 2 para.wrapper7n2
Equipment and protective systems for all places in which explosive...
In particular, the following categories of equipment must be used...
For the purposes of this Schedule and regulations 7(2) and...
Schedule 4 para.wrapper8n2
Distinctive features: (a) triangular shape; (b) black letters on a...
In section 2 of the Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act...
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 are...
(1) The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 is amended as follows....
(1) The Petroleum-Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc.) Regulations 1929 are amended...
The Petroleum (Liquid Methane) Order 1957 is amended by the...
(1) The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 (Enforcement) Regulations 1979 are...
(1) The Petroleum-Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 are amended as...
The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 are amended...
The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 are amended by the...
(1) The Fire Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976 are amended...
Duties under these Regulations
- Protect non‑employees from dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Employer
Risk assessment
2 years imprisonment- Assess risks from dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Employer
Elimination or reduction of risks from dangerous substances
2 years imprisonment- Eliminate or reduce risks from dangerous substances Employer
Places where explosive atmospheres may occur
2 years imprisonment- Classify, zone, and protect hazardous explosive atmospheres Employer
Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies
2 years imprisonment- Establish emergency arrangements for dangerous substances Employer
Information, instruction and training
2 years imprisonment- Provide information, instruction and training on dangerous substances Employer
Identification of hazardous contents of containers and pipes
2 years imprisonment- Clearly label hazardous pipes and containers Employer
Duty of co-ordination
2 years imprisonment- Coordinate safety measures in shared workplaces with explosive atmospheres Employer
Transitional provisions
- Ensure workplaces with explosive atmospheres meet DSEAR requirements by applicable deadlines Employer
Browse 8 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Application
Extension outside Great Britain
Exemption certificates
Exemptions for Ministry of Defence etc.
Amendments
Repeals and revocations
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- HSE: warehousing and storage (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Supplying explosives precursors and poisons (opens in a new tab) Publication
- DSEAR guidance for construction (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: hydrocarbon oils — excise duties (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- SEPA hydrogen guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Fluorinated gases (F-gases) guidance (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Detailed Guidance
- Disposal and energy recovery (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Chemicals - safe use and handling (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Siemens - Maxum II Edition Gas Chromatograph - Safety Features (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Deadly explosions during cutting of drums and containers (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- ... and 28 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
HSE
PrimaryHealth and Safety Executive
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …
Local Fire and Rescue Authority
Local fire and rescue services enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales. Conduct fire safety inspections of …
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
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