Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Mersey  
#1 Posted : 30 November 2017 09:34:45(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mersey

I need to carry out a DSEAR risk assessment for a Warehouse that stores finished product (Aerosols cans of deoderant) they are stored in a caged part of the warehouse, LPG would be the dangerous substance.

The risk would come from a racking collapse (Unlikely but not impossible) or perhaps a FLT driving over a Aerosol which punctures the Aerosol and is ignited by the electric motor which then potentially rockets off and sets something else on fire (Highly Unlikely)

According to the description Zone 0 Zone 1 Zone 2 the area would be a Zone 2.

Ignition sources are few.

How much detail do you need to go into? Are there DSEAR professionals? I'm not sure that a specific DSEAR qualification actually exists, it seems to be people who know their process and the nature of the explosive substances.

I've had some exposure to DSEAR Risk assessments in industry ( Chemical processes ) which can be complex, but this seems fairly straight forward as it is just storage.

If there are any specialists that deal with COMAH warehousing in particular they are not well advertised!

Ian Bell2  
#2 Posted : 30 November 2017 11:49:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

I'm very familiar with DSEAR and hazardous area classification. The main document used to complete HAC is either BSEN60079pt 10 or the Energy Institute document IP15 Hazardous Area. Although you don't need them for your situation. I have looked at various aerosol warehouses, DSEAR isn't a big issue. You are correct you have a theoretical small Zone 2 area around each individual pallet of shrink wrapped aerosols. Each aerosol should have been leaked checked after it came off the filling line. The chance of a spurious leak is very low. Can't remember the leak test failure rate - maybe 1 in 100000. So it's a reasonable assumption that even if one aerosol did leak it would be a negligible hazardous area from a pin prick size leak. With regard to leaks from racking collapse or being spiked or dropped by a forklift. Still a fairly small risk. Train for lift operators to stop the flt , then move it away to a safe distance. Then clean up the spill. The Zone 2 area will only be about 1m or so. The DSEAR a cop (para 42, page 18) isn't too concerned by leaks caused by crushing/collapse etc. Even in large warehouses, while air movement is relatively low, ventilation is still usually adequate. I would complete a normal fire risk assessment, acknowledging that DSEAR does apply, and you have a theoretical small Zone 2. Ensure your emergency plan/recommendations include for prompt cleaning up of spills etc. Racking collapse control is part of the wider warehouse risk controls - racking inspection, trained for drivers, impact protection of the racking legs etc.
thanks 2 users thanked Ian Bell2 for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 30/11/2017(UTC), Mersey on 11/12/2017(UTC)
Ian Bell2  
#3 Posted : 30 November 2017 12:14:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

Forgot to add, if the warehouse comes under COMAH for simply storing flammable aerosols, that's a big warehouse. The COMAH report should identify all Major Accident Hazard scenarios, so should include the incidents you have described. Refer to the COMAH report for the risk controls identified.
thanks 1 user thanked Ian Bell2 for this useful post.
Mersey on 11/12/2017(UTC)
Ian Bell2  
#4 Posted : 01 December 2017 08:46:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

If you do require help drafting a simple DSEAR assessment, let me know. You do need to at least gather information about the products/quantities and physical properties relevant to DSEAR.
John Elder  
#5 Posted : 04 December 2017 15:08:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
John Elder

My job is a DSEAR Compliance Manager and I see you state that it is a COMAH warehouse you are working within. If that is the case a Hazardous Area Classification should already exist for you to refer to. This document giving you the extent of the zones present and is what you will be basing your Risk Assessment upon.

You will be trying to prevent the following ignition sources, as your main risk is a fire being started which burns out of control and causes aerosol canisters to start to ignite. Your main sources of ignition hazard to consider are as follows: Hot Surfaces, Mechanical Sparks, Flames, hot gases, Electrical sparks, Stray electric currents and cathodic corrosion protection, Static electricity, Lightning, Electromagnetic waves, Ionising radiation, High frequency radiation, Ultrasonics, Adiabatic compression and Chemical reaction.

Each should be considered in turn most can be ruled out straight away. Ensure that all electrical equipment located within any potential zones is ATEX rated and the Temperature rating of the equipment is within for the safe range of the Lower Flammable Limit for the substances being stored.

As for courses Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), BASEEFA, SIRA and IECEX all run Hazardous Area Classification Courses.

The risk assessment will also cover things like maintenance schedules as per the equipment manufacturers Literature and BSEN660079-17 Explosive atmospheres Electrical installations inspection and maintenance.

All electrical installation, inspection and maintenance works are to be carried out by Compex or IECEX qualified Electrical Engineers. Mechanical installation, inspection and maintenance works are to be carried out by Compex qualified Mechanical Engineers.

On some of the COMAH sites we have had to allow for Fire in adjacent Businesses, Sabotage, Vandalism, Arson, Theft, Unauthorised Access, Subsidence, Flood, Aircraft Crash and Human Error. As you can see there is quite a lot to be assessed. And this is a very brief overview.

If you think that is over the top it is some of the elements which would be expected for a COMAH Location.

I hope this helps somewhat as to what you are after.

thanks 1 user thanked John Elder for this useful post.
Mersey on 11/12/2017(UTC)
Ian Bell2  
#6 Posted : 05 December 2017 08:25:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

For a warehouse storing finished/packed aerosols most of the electrical/training points mentioned won't be relevant because as previous the HAC zone will be quite small, so unless you store the aerosols right next to electrical equipment then electrical equipment won't be in a hazardous area.
thanks 1 user thanked Ian Bell2 for this useful post.
Mersey on 11/12/2017(UTC)
stevedm  
#7 Posted : 11 December 2017 09:57:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

mersey...any incident involving a finished aerosol will be short lived...I have a few video demonstrations...so you can say that DSEAR doesn't apply and your fire risk assessment and control measuers under COMAH are sufficient...this will depend on your risk assessment British Aerosol Manufacurers Association (BAMA) give guidance and a risk assessment process...depending on your manufacturing process, the European Aersol Federation (FEA) also give guidance which suggests a differnet route and compliance option..

I have used both approaches in the past depending on who your loards and masters are...UK based or European..

Just a different view..

thanks 1 user thanked stevedm for this useful post.
Mersey on 11/12/2017(UTC)
Mersey  
#8 Posted : 11 December 2017 11:54:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mersey

Thanks for all the excellent information provided.

I attended a 4 day DSEAR course probably 8 years ago at Chilworth technologies but due to different career choices I've not had the need to revisit the subject for a long time.

Once again thanks very much for your input

Users browsing this topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.