Fire and explosion risks in coating mixing

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) necessitate a re-assessment of the fire and explosion risks arising from the formation of explosive atmospheres in and around coatings mixing vessels. A programme of work has been commissioned by HSE to review the hazards that would need to be covered by the risk assessment and to carry out experimental work to fill in any gaps in knowledge. This report presents the findings of Phase 2 of the project. Open topped mixing vessels containing flammable solvents have traditionally been used in the coatings industry. More recently there has been an increasing use of ‘closed’ vessels to reduce environmental levels of flammable solvents. These changes together with the requirements of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) necessitate a re-assessment of the fire and explosion risks arising from the formation of explosive atmospheres in and around mixing vessels. Research report number - RR526

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