Marine
Marine DSEAR risk assessment expertise
We have provided DSEAR risk assessments for a range of marine environments, including shipbuilding, yacht refurbishment, naval maintenance and specialist subsea manufacturing facilities across the UK.
These environments often involve flammable paints, thinners, gases and other hazardous substances used within enclosed or semi-enclosed working areas, where ventilation, ignition control and safe working arrangements are critical. Our work focuses on identifying where hazardous atmospheres may arise, assessing existing controls and providing practical recommendations to support safe, compliant operations.
Burgess Marine
The challengeBurgess Marine is a bespoke luxury yacht builder. At their Porchester, Hampshire location they have both open and enclosed dry dock facilities for fabrication and refurbishment, and are capable of handling vessels up to …
BAE Systems – Barrow-in-Furness
The challengeBAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness is the base for building the UK’s next generation of nuclear submarines. For this project the areas under discussion were regarding manufacturing processes utilising potentially dangerous substances, and ensuring a …
Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport
The challengeHer Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport is the largest dockyard in Europe, and is the UK centre of excellence for deep maintenance of Royal Navy complex platforms. A request was made to review maintenance operations …
Teledyne
The challengeA visit was made to the Teledyne Impulse-PDM, Alton, in 2020 to consider compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), incorporating Amendment 1: June 2015. At the site, Teledyne designs …
DSEAR risk assessments for shipbuilding, dockyard maintenance and marine manufacturing
Marine environments can present significant DSEAR risks because hazardous substances are often used in areas where people are working for long periods, sometimes within temporary enclosures, dockside structures, workshops or confined spaces.
Typical risk areas include:
- Paint spraying and coating operations
- Temporary enclosures or scaffolded tent structures
- Storage and handling of flammable paints, thinners and compounds
- Mixing and dispensing of flammable liquids and gases
- Workshop and maintenance operations
- Ventilation and extraction within enclosed marine working areas
- Fabrication, repair and refurbishment of vessels or subsea equipment
A common challenge in this sector is that hazardous atmospheres may arise only occasionally during normal or foreseeable abnormal operation, but still require careful assessment because personnel may be working directly within or near those areas.
This makes adequate ventilation, control of ignition sources, safe storage and transfer of flammable substances, and suitable working procedures especially important. In some environments, the temporary or changing nature of the work – such as scaffolded enclosures or dockside maintenance areas – adds a further layer of complexity to DSEAR compliance.
Our DSEAR assessments consider how substances are used and controlled in practice, including ventilation performance, separation and storage arrangements, earthing, static risks, ignition controls and emergency measures. Where required, hazardous area classification is applied and supported by clear recommendations to help businesses and marine operators maintain safe and compliant working conditions.
Frequently asked questions
The main risks usually come from flammable paints, thinners, gases and other hazardous substances used during spraying, fabrication, repair and maintenance operations, particularly in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
Because flammable vapours can build up more easily where ventilation is limited. If people are working in those areas and an ignition source is present, the risk of fire or explosion increases.
Yes, where hazardous substances are used within them. Temporary structures can significantly affect ventilation, vapour build-up and the way hazardous zones need to be assessed.
It usually includes review of hazardous substances, storage and use arrangements, ventilation, ignition controls, hazardous area classification where needed, and practical recommendations to support safe working.