Who Can Carry Out a DSEAR Inspection?

A DSEAR inspection can be carried out by any competent person — someone with the right training, experience, and knowledge to identify risks from dangerous substances and recommend effective control measures. This could be an in-house safety specialist or an external consultant, depending on your organisation’s resources and risk profile.

If you need help meeting your compliance duties, our DSEAR inspection services are carried out by experienced hazardous area safety consultants.

Understanding the Competent Person Requirement

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) don’t specify a job title for who can inspect — instead, the law says inspections must be done by a competent person.

That means someone who can:

• Recognise and assess all relevant hazards involving dangerous substances.
• Correctly classify hazardous zones (0, 1, 2, 20, 21, 22).
• Recommend and verify effective control measures.
• Stay up to date with HSE guidance, British Standards, and best practice.

For a full overview of DSEAR regulations, see our Complete DSEAR Guide.

Who Commonly Carries Out DSEAR Inspections?

Many organisations choose an external inspector to ensure impartiality and specialist knowledge. Common options include:

1. Health & Safety Consultants (Fire/Explosion Specialists) Often chartered members of IOSH or listed on the OSHCR register.
2. Hazardous Area Engineers Experienced in ATEX, IECEx, and hazardous area classification.
3. Process Safety Engineers With backgrounds in chemical, process, or mechanical engineering.
4. UKAS-Accredited Inspection Bodies Independent assessment organisations for high-risk industries.

Can We Inspect for DSEAR In-House?

Yes — if you have someone internally who meets the competent person criteria. Examples might include:

• Correctly identify and assess dangerous substances risks.
• Apply the relevant legislation and technical standards.
• Provide documented evidence of your competence if required by HSE.

Without this, you should not self-inspect.

How to Choose the Right Inspector

When selecting someone to inspect for DSEAR, check that they:

• Have proven experience in your type of industry.
• Understandyour specific hazardous substances and processes.
• Can produce clear, actionable reports with compliance steps.

If you'd like professional support, our DSEAR assessment services are delivered by specialists who have carried out inspections across manufacturing, chemical processing, food production, and more.

Key Takeaway

A DSEAR inspection must be done by a competent person — whether that’s someone in-house or an external specialist. The most important factor is their ability to recognise hazards, assess risk, and recommend controls that keep people and property safe.

To understand DSEAR in full, or answer Frequently asked questions like what is DSEAR? please read our complete DSEAR Guide.