Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.12.5
Elimination or reduction of risks – 
Regulation 6
Regulation 6 concerns the reduction of risks and tracks 
the normal hierarchy as follows:
➤
Substitution of a dangerous substance by a sub-
stance or process which eliminates or reduces the 
risk, for example the use of water based paints, or 
using a totally enclosed continuous process
➤
Reduce the quantity of dangerous substance to a 
minimum; for example, only a half day supply in the 
workroom
➤
Avoid releasing of a dangerous substance or min-
imize releases, for example keeping them in special 
closed containers
➤
Control releases at source
➤
Prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres, 
including the provision of suffi cient ventilation
Summary of the main legal requirements
343

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➤
Ensure that any releases are suitably collected, con-
tained and removed; suitable local exhaust ventila-
tion in a paint spray booth is an example
➤
Avoid ignition sources and adverse conditions, for 
example, keep electrical equipment outside the area
➤
Segregate incompatible dangerous substances, for 
example, oxidizing substances and other fl ammable 
substances.
Steps must also be taken to mitigate the detrimental 
effects of a fi re or explosion by:
➤
Keeping the number of people exposed to a minimum
➤
Avoidance of fi re and explosion propagation
➤
Provision of explosion relief systems
➤
Provision of explosion suppression equipment
➤
Provision of very strong plant which can withstand 
an explosion
➤
The provision of suitable personal protective 
equipment.
17.12.6
Classifi cation of workplaces – Schedule 2
Where an explosive atmosphere may occur, work places 
must be classifi ed into hazardous and non-hazardous 
places. Table 17.4 shows the zones specifi ed by sched-
ule 2 of the Regulations.