explosion
Reduce Explosion Risk with Practical DSEAR & ATEX Support

Expert consulting and in-house testing to identify hazards, assess risks, and ensure compliance.

HomepageBusinessConsultingProcess SafetyProcess Safety ConsultingDSEAR & ATEX

DSEAR and ATEX consulting services built around real operational risk

If your site handles flammable gases, vapours, mists, combustible dusts or other dangerous substances, compliance is only one part of the challenge. You also need confidence that risks have been identified properly, safeguards are appropriate, and decisions will stand up to operational, insurer and regulatory scrutiny. DEKRA supports organisations with practical DSEAR and ATEX consulting that helps reduce uncertainty, prioritise action and protect people, assets and continuity.

Why it matters

  • Fire and explosion risk can expose people, assets and continuity.
  • Technical gaps can slow action and increase uncertainty.
  • Buyers want expert guidance they can defend internally.

What Are Dangerous Substances?

Dangerous substances are any materials used or present at work that could cause injury through explosion, fire, or failure of pressurised equipment due to corrosion. They include obvious hazards like solvents, paints, varnishes, flammable gases and LPG—as well as less obvious ones like combustible dusts from machining, wood sanding, and food processing.

Why DSEAR Compliance Becomes Difficult in Practice

Dangerous substances are often spread across processes, materials, utilities and maintenance activities, making comprehensive assessment challenging.
Explosion risk depends on the interaction between substances, equipment, ignition sources and operating conditions—each site is unique.
Sites may have gaps in test data, hazardous area classification, documentation or training that need to be addressed.
Teams need advice that is technically credible and practical to apply on site, not just theoretical guidance.
DSEAR Training
Build in-house capability with DEKRA’s ATEX & DSEAR Training
Strengthen internal capability with DEKRA's ATEX & DSEAR Training. This IFE Recognised four-day course gives delegates practical grounding in hazardous area classification, ignition assessment, explosion protection and DSEAR risk assessment. Available as open courses, private in-company training, or e-learning to suit your needs.

What DSEAR Requires Employers to Do

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) impose specific legal obligations on all employers handling dangerous substances. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines, and increased risk of fire or explosion.
Employer Obligations

  • Identify dangerous substances and assess the risks they create
  • Eliminate risks where possible and control remaining risks appropriately
  • Reduce the consequences of incidents and prepare suitable procedures
  • Inform and train employees on the risks and controls involved
  • Identify and classify areas where explosive atmospheres may occur
  • Control ignition sources in hazardous areas
  • Ensure overall explosion safety is verified by a competent person

Our Practical, Evidence-Led Approach

Every process is different. That's why our work is tailored to your substances, operations, equipment and risk profile. Where key data is missing, our consultants work alongside DEKRA's in-house process safety laboratories to help generate the information needed for stronger decisions. The result isn't a generic assessment rather, a guidance that's grounded in how your process actually works.
What you Gain
  • Clearer understanding of site-specific fire and explosion risk
  • Practical support on hazardous area classification and compliance priorities
  • Better alignment between assessment, testing and operational controls
  • Confidence from working with experienced explosion safety specialists
Process Safety testing experts
Meet the Experts
Our Process Safety Consulting team is comprised of dedicated professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience in ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability. Our experts are passionate about process safety and are committed to helping your organisation navigate the complexities of safety management.

Why DEKRA Stands Apart

Most DSEAR consultants provide assessments. DEKRA goes further. We combine practical consulting support with access to our in-house process safety laboratories. When critical data is missing, we generate it thereby eliminating gaps and building confidence in your explosion safety decisions.
Consulting plus testing

Combine practical consulting support with access to in-house process safety testing when critical data is missing.

Defensible decisions

Build confidence that your explosion safety decisions are grounded in evidence, operational reality and regulatory expectations.

High-risk industry experience

Work with specialists who support complex operations across hazardous environments and process safety-critical sectors.

Practical guidance

Get advice that is designed to be applied on site, not left sitting in a report.

Get clarity on your DSEAR and ATEX obligations
Frequently Asked Questions
DSEAR covers dangerous substances that can create fire, explosion or similar risks, including flammable gases, vapours, mists, combustible dusts and substances corrosive to metal.
Yes. Where important information is missing, DEKRA can combine consulting support with in-house process safety testing to help close data gaps and improve confidence in decisions.
No. Dangerous substances can be present in many sectors, including food, metals, pharma, utilities, waste, engineering and other process or handling environments.


Timeline varies based on site complexity and scope. We'll provide a detailed timeline during the initial consultation.
Related content

Webinar: Putting the “DS” in Your DSEAR Assessments

Watch now

ATEX DSEAR Datasheet

Download (PDF, 259.8 KB)

DSEAR isn’t ATEX: What the ‘DS’ Changes in Your Assessment

Download
Share page :