FETA issues DSEAR guidance for industry
FETA offers guidance on risk assessments for flammable refrigerants
The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) is issuing new guidance on Risk Assessments for compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).
With the increasing use of refrigerants with various levels of flammability, it is important for the industry to understand how to comply with DSEAR. This regulation was amended in 2015 to include gases under pressure, which means that all refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) installations need to be compliant.
Following a joint meeting between FETA, the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last autumn, it was agreed that FETA would lead the project to pull together appropriate guidance, and this document is the first fruit of that work.
Mike Nankivell, Chairman of the FETA A2L refrigerant working group, which has coordinated this project, says: “Under HSE regulations there is a duty to ensure that neither staff nor members of the public are put at risk in their place of work. This easy-to-follow Guidance has been produced by FETA to help employers carry out their Risk Assessments correctly and ensure the safety of all parties within their workplace.”
He adds: “The Guidance should be read in conjunction with the regulation itself along with the HSE’s own Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).”
The publication has been reviewed by the HSE prior to issue.
The intention is to follow up this guide with more specific risk assessment guidance, covering a range of typical installations to help the industry in complying with this regulation.
