Storage
Storage and warehousing DSEAR risk assessment expertise
We have carried out DSEAR risk assessments for warehouses, storage facilities, distribution centres and bulk storage operations across the UK.
These environments often involve the storage of flammable liquids, gases, fuels and combustible materials. While processes may be limited compared to manufacturing sites, the presence of stored hazardous substances can still present significant fire and explosion risks.
Mentholatum
The challengeThe Mentholatum Company Ltd. occupy a large purpose-built warehouse facility at Eurocentral , Scotland and this provides internal storage for a wide range of raw materials, packaging components and finished products. The warehouse consists …
Dale Power Solutions
The challengeA visit was made to a client of Dale Power Solutions; the site at Stockton, Teesside was visited on 26th January 2015 to carry out a risk assessment in regard to requirements of the …
Bartholomews – Shoreham Silo Services
The challengeA visit was made to Bartholomew’s Limited Shoreham Silo Services premises at Shoreham Terminal, Portslade in February 2015 to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). This …
Beams Packaging
The challengeA visit was made to Beams Packaging Services site at Ely, Cambridgeshire in April 2015 to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). The Ely facility has …
Denholm Seafoods
The challengeA visit was made to the Denholm Seafood site in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in May 2015 to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). Activities carried out on-site …
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
The challengeA request was made by RBG Kew to consider compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) for the organisation’s site at Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The site is a …
Opsec Security
The challengeA visit was made to the Washington, Tyne and Wear factory of OpSec to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). The DSEAR regulations came into force …
Cornelius Group Plc
The challengeA visit was made to Cornelius Group PLC at Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, in September 2017 to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). The site provides warehousing …
Kew
The challengeOver several years, requests have been made by RBG Kew to consider compliance with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) for the organisation’s sites at Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, and Wakehurst, …
DSEAR risk assessments for warehouses, storage facilities and distribution sites
Storage environments are often assumed to be low risk under DSEAR because there is little or no active processing. However, this is not the case.
Significant risks can arise from how hazardous substances are stored, handled and transferred within these environments.
Typical risk areas include:
- Storage of flammable liquids in drums, IBCs or bulk tanks
- Fuel storage systems (diesel, petrol, LPG)
- Waste solvent storage and tanker loading
- Bulk storage of combustible materials such as grain or powders
- Gas cylinder storage and distribution
- Refrigeration systems using gases such as ammonia
- Packaging operations involving flammable liquids (e.g. alcohol-based products)
- Transfer activities such as filling, decanting or pumping
Even where substances are stored in sealed containers, risks can arise from leaks, spills, vapour release or poor ventilation. In some cases, ignition risks may come from nearby equipment, vehicles or maintenance activities.
Bulk storage operations, such as silos or large storage sheds, can also present combustible dust risks where materials are transferred, handled or disturbed. These dusts can form explosive atmospheres within enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
Fuel storage systems and waste solvent tanks are another key consideration. While substances such as diesel may not present a high flammable risk under normal conditions, vapours, mist or confined environments can still create ignition hazards.
Our DSEAR assessments focus on how materials are actually stored and handled on-site, including storage arrangements, segregation, ventilation, transfer processes, ignition sources and emergency controls.
Where required, hazardous area classification is applied to define zones around storage, transfer or handling areas, ensuring that equipment and procedures are suitable for the level of risk.
The outcome is a clear, practical report with prioritised recommendations that help ensure safe storage operations and compliance with DSEAR.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If flammable liquids, gases or combustible materials are stored on-site, DSEAR will usually apply, even if there is no manufacturing process.
Yes. Storage alone can present a risk, particularly where large volumes, poor segregation or transfer activities are involved.
In most cases, yes. While diesel is less volatile than other fuels, it can still present a risk in vapour or mist form, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
Yes. Combustible dust generated during storage, transfer or cleaning operations can form explosive atmospheres and must be assessed under DSEAR.