DSEAR Dust Explosion Risk Assessment for Duty Holders (E-learning)

Combustible dust can ignite without warning, and a primary explosion can trigger a far more damaging secondary blast. This IIRSM-approved course gives duty holders a structured, consistent framework for assessing combustible dust risk under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).

It is a duty-holder level course covering what a defensible risk assessment must include, where critical decisions are commonly missed, and what suitable control measures look like in practice. Approximately two hours of fully online training with same-day digital certification.

Who is this course for?

Anyone with legal or operational responsibility for managing combustible dust explosion risk under DSEAR, including:

• Site managers and operations managers
• Health and safety managers and advisers
• Compliance officers and environmental managers
• Facilities engineers and maintenance managers
• Production managers in dust-generating industries
• Anyone acting as a DSEAR duty holder or responsible person

Course content

Module 1 — Introduction to DSEAR
What DSEAR requires and how it fits within the wider UK framework for managing fire and explosion risk, including DSEAR structure and guidance, UK legislation and the European legal background.

Module 2 — DSEAR Risk Assessment Overview
How combustible dust explosion hazards arise and how risk should be evaluated: purpose and scope, dust explosion science, the hazard identification process, dangerous substances data and risk evaluation.

Module 3 — DSEAR Risk Controls & Zoning
The hierarchy of control, substitution, engineering and administrative controls, hazardous area classification in practice, equipment categories, selection principles, ratings and labelling, emergency preparedness and PPE.

Module 4 — Controlling Explosive Dust: Case Study
The full assessment process worked through a practical workplace example, from hazard identification and risk evaluation to control selection and recording findings.

What learners will be able to do

• Recognise which routine processes, materials and conditions create explosive dust atmospheres
• Identify dangerous substances, release points and ignition sources for a robust assessment
• Use dust explosion data to judge hazard severity and support proportionate control decisions
• Apply the DSEAR hierarchy of control to combustible dust risk
• Carry out hazardous area classification, define dust zones and match equipment selection to zone requirements
• Structure, evaluate and document an assessment under Regulation 5 so decisions are clear and justifiable

Certification

Approved by the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM). Learners complete a fully online multiple-choice assessment, with 80% required to pass. An IIRSM-approved digital certificate is available to download immediately on completion and is valid for three years.

Frequently asked questions

Is this suitable for general staff?
No. This is a duty-holder level course. General awareness training is more appropriate for staff who work in or near hazardous areas but do not assess risk.

Does this cover flammable gases and liquids?
No. This course addresses combustible dusts. Gas and liquid explosion risk is covered by separate training.

What equipment do I need?
Any internet-connected device. The course is available on desktop, tablet and mobile, with iOS and Android apps and subtitles in over 20 languages.

Does completing this course make me competent?
No. The programme provides knowledge and supporting guidance. It does not by itself make you competent, qualified or authorised for workplace tasks, and does not appoint you to a duty holder, responsible person or competent person role. Always follow your employer's procedures, risk assessments and supervision.

For short courses a completion certificate is available at the end of the course. You can screenshot this or print it out to confirm completion of the training.

For accredited courses a certificate will be sent directly to you from the appropriate awarding body.

All you need to complete our e-learning courses is a computer, tablet or smartphone and an internet connection.

E-learning is flexible, efficient, and cost-effective, meaning you can progress through the modules at your own pace, at your own time to fit the training in around your work and personal life.

Short online courses also help employers to demonstrate that they have fulfilled their legal duties to ensure their personnel have been adequately trained.

Once the courses have been completed, a confirmation of results can be saved or printed as evidence. This can then be kept on record as evidence of suitable training.

• Learning management system that delivers training on laptop, PC or mobile app
• Automatically track all learning via online competency matrix
• Combine all records in one place – upload offline certificates
• Share training records via QR code training passport

You will instantly receive a confirmation email with your order details and your course login details will follow within one business working day.

Please note that course bookings can not be processed outside of normal working hours, over weekends or on bank holidays and will be processed the next business working day.

Step 1

Click the 'Buy' or 'Add to cart' button and you will be taken to our payment/booking page where you can choose to pay online now using a debit/credit card or you can pay later by invoice.

Step 2

Once you have paid for your course(s), you will receive an email from our team advising how to begin your training.

Step 3

You will be provided with a username and password which will enable you to access the e-learning portal. Login to start your course, once you have completed and passed the course, you will be able to download and print your certificate straight away.

Human Focus is a global leader in skilled behaviour change in the workplace.

We assist clients in achieving world-class business performance by helping to build skills and change habits that keep workers safer, healthier and more productive.

We were founded in 1992 and have grown over our 30 years of service to form close working partnerships with leading health and safety organisations, insurance companies and trade associations.

Our e-learning system supports subtitles in multiple languages for all courses. After starting any training module, learners can choose their preferred language for the course. Subtitles in any other language can also be added upon request.

Envico is working in association with Human Focus offering e-learning and is not accredited by or associated with any examination bodies, awarding bodies, institutions or organisations in any way whatsoever.