Safety Terminologies

Safety terminolog t erminologies ies

A

Abnormal Event

An unplanned or unusual event or occurrence.

Absolute

A non negotiable duty imposed by a regulation when it uses the term 'shall' or 'must' without the qualification of 'reasonably practicable'.

Absorption

The entry of a substance into the body through broken or unbroken skin

Accident

An undesired event or series of events causing (or with the potential to cause) injury, ill-health or damage. An accident is an unplanned event that interrupts the completion of an activity and that may (or may not) cause damage to person, property or environment.

Accident

An analysis of the expected effects of anaccident, independent of

Consequence

frequency and probability.

Analysis Accident

A systematic investigation of an accident to find out what happened and

Investigation

determine immediate and underlying causes as well as reviewing existing risk assessments, safety procedures and control measures with a view to introducing measures to prevent recurrence.

Accident Prevention Prevention

Measures taken to prevent accidents accidents from happening. Can be either pro-active, i.e. implemented before an accident happens, or re-active, i.e. taken in response to an accident that has already happened.

Accident Rate

A normalisation of the number of accidents taking into account the number of workers employed and the hours worked. Generally accepted as No. of Accidents x 100,000/No. of Hours Worked.

Acid

An organic or inorganic compound, usually a liquid with a pH of less than 7. Acidic materials are corrosive to human tissue.

ACOP

Approved Code of Practice

Action Level

The level above which action should be taken. For example the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 define two actions levels. The lower level 80dB(A) at which the employer must provide information and training and make hearing protection available. The upper exposure action level of 85dB(A) above which the employer should take reasonably practicable steps to reduce noise and the wearing of hearing protection becomes mandatory. In the US the action level commonly refers to the exposure level at which the OSHA regulations take effect.

Acute Effect

An effect arising from exposure to a hazardous substance which happens immediately on exposure.

Acute Exposure

Single exposure to a hazardous substance over a short period of time. The

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seriousness of this exposure will depend on the toxicity of the substance. Adaptation

The ability of people to cope with situations that are less than perfect.

Aerosols

Aerosols are tiny liquid and solid particles suspended in the air.

AIB

Asbestos Insulation Board

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Air Exchange Rate

The rate at which outdoor air air replaces indoor air. Often stated as the number number of changes per hour.

Air Air Poll Pollu ution tion

Contaminati on of air by harmful substances like toxic gas, dust,vapour, acid fumes, flue gases fuel gases etc. when it exceeds legal permissible limit,it is considered legally harmful.

ALARA

As Low As Reasonably Achievable. An approach initially developed in the nuclear industry to ensure that facilities and practices were designed to keep risks As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

ALARP

As Low As Reasonably Practicable. An approach initially developed in the nuclear industry to ensure that facilities and practices were designed to keep risks As Low As Reasonably Practicable.

Alkali

Chemical compounds that have a pH value of more than 7. Alkali's are also known as Base or Caustic materials. These materials can be corrosive to human tissue.

Allergen

Any material which produces an allergic reaction in an individual.

ALU

Asbestos Licensing Unit

Anti-glare Screen

A monitor screen that is treated to reduce glare from light sources. This can be achieved as part of the manufacturing process or by fitting a separate screen filter. LCD screens may completely eliminate glare.

Apparent Loudness

Apparent loudness is how loud the noise is perceived by the individual. This is where the logarithmic nature of the dB scale has greatest impact, in that an increase of 10dB results in a doubling of the apparent loudness.

Appointed Person

This is a defined role from the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. If the workplace is a low risk workplace (office, shop, library,etc.) and employs less than 50 employees there is only a requirement for one Appointed Person. This person will have undergone a one day training course covering CPR and very basic first aid. They will also be responsible for maintaining the first aid box for the organisation.

Approved Code of

Approved Codes of Practice are published by the HSE to cover many

Practice

regulations. Approved Codes of Practice although not law themselves do give guidance on how to comply with the law and as such have a special legal status, similar to the Highway Code. If you comply with an Approved Code of Practice it











unreasonable to expect any employer to incur those costs to avoid the risk. Asbestos

Asbestos is the name used for a group of natural minerals, which comprises three main types. Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos), Amosite (Brown Asbestos) and Chrysotile (White Asbestos). The type of asbestos cannot be identified just by its colour. Although these fibres have many good properties such as being fire retardant, the fibres are very very small and once airborne are easily breathed in and can become stuck in the lungs, causing debilitating and fatal diseases such as Asbestosis and Lung Cancer.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is the scarring of the lung tissue by asbestos fibres which stops the lungs from working properly causing a shortness of breath.

Asphyxiant

A material capable of displacing the level of oxygen in the body. This happens most commonly when the substance displaces air in an enclosed environment. Some asphyxiants can act directly on the oxygen carrying capability of the blood, such as Carbon Monoxide, which will be taken up by the body in preference to oxygen and can lead to unconsciousness and even death. This is a particular hazard from incomplete combustion in a faulty appliance.

ATEX

Explosion Protection Directive. Derives its name from the original working title "ATmosphère EXplosible".

Audible Range

Audible range is the range of frequencies which can be detected by the human ear. For a normal adult this is between 20 & 20,000 Hz. Ultrasound is a sound whose frequency is too high for hearing. Infrasound is a sound whose frequency is too low for hearing.

Audiometry

Audiometry is a screening technique used to detect early damage to hearing as a result of exposure to noise.

Audiometric Testing

See Audiometry.

B

Background Level

The normal or typical level existing in the environment. Can be used in terms of radiation or chemicals.

Balance of

The standard of proof required by by the courts in a civil law claim. Also known

Probabilities

as the 'preponderance of evidence' in the US. The standard is met if there is a greater than 50% chance of the proposition being true. Described by Lord Denning (Miller Vs Minister of Pensions) as 'more probable than not'.

Barrier Cream

A cream which can be applied to the hands to help protect them from oils, greases, and other mild irritants. Some creams can also be absorbed by the skin to help safeguard against contact dermatitis. These should not be considered as a substitute for proper PPE.

Base

Chemical compounds that have a pH value of more than 7. Bases are also known as Alkalis or caustic materials. These materials can be corrosive to











comparisons throw up. Beyond Reasonable

The standard of proof required by a criminal law case.

Doubt Biological Agent

A biological agent is an infectious disease or toxin, which has the ability to adversely affect human health. This may be relatively mild allergic reactions or serious medical conditions and even death.

Biological

Biological monitoring is the process of monitoring how much of a chemical has

Monitoring

entered a persons body. This can be done by testing breath, urine or blood.

BLEVE

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion. A very powerful explosion which occurs when a vapour, stored as a liquid under pressure within a pressure vessel is allowed to boil (often as the result of of a failure of the pressure vessel) and then ignite.

BMA

British Medical Association

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid changes state to a gas (usually measured at atmospheric pressure).

BSE

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

BSI

British Standards Institute

Business Continuity

An all encompasing term covering both disaster recovery planning and business

Plan

resumption planning.

C

CA

Competent Authority - A defined term in some regulations such as the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations and The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations. The competent authority for COMAH is jointly between the HSE and the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the HSE and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. The competent authority for The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations is the HSE on their own.

CCA

Centre for Corporate Accountability. A charity concerned with the promotion of worker and public safety.

Competent

A defined term in some regulations such as the Control of Major Accident

Authority

Hazard Regulations and The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations. The competent authority for COMAH is jointly between the HSE and the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the HSE and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. The competent authority for The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations is the HSE on their own.

Contributory

A common law defence to a claim or action. It applies to a situation where the











Carpal Tunnel

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the result of the median nerve, running from the

Syndrome

forearm to the hand, being squeezed at the wrist. This can result in burning, tingling or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and fingers. This may or may not be caused by the repeated use of vibrating hand tools. See also RSI.

Catalyst

Usually a chemical compound that accelerates a chemical reaction, without being consumed itself in the chemical reaction.

Caustic

A strongly alkaline material that is either corrosive or irritant to human tissue.

CBI

Confedration of British Industry

CCF

Common Cause Failure

CD

Consultative Document

CDM

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994

CEN

Comite European de Normalisation

Central Nervous

Essentially the Brain and Spinal Cord.

System CFC's

ChloroFluoroCarbons. Any organic compound composed of Chlorine, Flourine, Carbon. These are typically refrigerants and aerosol propellants such as Freon. CFC's have been found to pose a serious environmental threat.

Chemical Accident

An accident involving a fortuitous or sudden or unintended occurrence while handling handling any hazardous hazardous chemicals chemicals .[defined .[defined in in rule 2(b)]re 2(b)]re su lt in g in continuous, continuous, intermittent or repeated exposure to death or injury to any person or damage to any property but does not include an accident by reason only of war or radioactivity.

CHIP

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002. CHIP is the law that applies to suppliers of dangerous chemicals. It is these regulations that give rise to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Chronic Effect

An effect arising from exposure to a hazardous substance which takes a long time to take effect. This may take months or even years for the effects to become evident.

Chronic Exposure

Multiple exposures to a hazardous substance over a long period of time. The seriousness of this exposure will depend on the toxicity of the substance.

CHSW

The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

CITB

Construction Industry Training Board

CMF

Common Mode Failure

CMIOSH

Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

Code of Practice

Rules established by regulatory bodies or trade associations, which are intended as a guide. Beyond evidence of best practice they do not have any legal standing. See also Approved Code of Practice.











laws as a result of various royal judges who toured the country. Cannot be in conflict with Statute Law. Common Mode

A common mode failure results from a single fault (or set of faults). Computer

Failure

systems are vulnerable to common mode failures if they rely on a single source of power, cooling or I/O.

Competent Person

A Competent Person is defined by the HSE as somebody with the skill, knowledge, practical experience and training to enable them to assess the risks arising from the work activity.

Compliance

Compliance normally means ensuring that activities undertaken agree with both the letter and the spirit of the law.

Confined Space

A Confined Space is a place which is substantially enclosed (though not always entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen).

CONIAC

Construction Industry Advisory Committee

Controls

Actions taken or measures put in place to reduce risks arising from work activity.

Corrosive

A material that will cause destruction or irreversible damage to living tissue on contact.

COSHH

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1988

COSLA

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

CRT

Cathode Ray Tube

Cryogenic Liquid

A liquefied gas at a very low temperature, such as liquid oxygen, nitrogen or argon.

D

Damage

S e v e r i t y o f i n j u r y o r t h e p h y s i c a l , f u n c t i o n a l o r monetary loss that could result if control of a hazard is lost

Damage Control

Directly concerned with the protection of machinery, materials and manufacturedgoods assets from accidental loss within the factory.

Danger

Ind ire ctl y it is co ncer ned wit hmoney hmoney ass asset et and and manp manpow ower er asse asset. t. It expresses degree of exposure to a hazard. By taking suitable precautions,the precautions,the danger is reduced. Machine guarding or safety device reduces thedanger of a particular hazard.

dB

A logarithmic measurement commonly used to measure sound.

dB(A)

Sound measured using the "A weighting". Commonly used as the measurement of environmental or industrial noise.

DDA

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Deefie

A Glasgow term for having received your compensation for noise induced hearing loss, as in "Have you had your deefie yet?"

Dermatitis

An inflammation of the skin, also called Eczema. It causes red, itchy skin which













DfEE

Department for Education and Employment. Now replaced by the Department for Education and Skills.

DfES

Department for Education and Skills

Dilution Ventilation

Dilution Ventilation Ventilation involves bringing in clean air to dilute the contaminated air and then exhausting the diluted air to the outside via exhaust fans.

Disa Disast ster er

a catastrophic situation in which the day- to-day patterns of life are, inmany instances, suddenly suddenly disrupted and people are plunged into helplessness andsuffering and as a result need protection, clothing, shelter, medical and social care andother necessities of life, such as- 1) D i s a s t e r s

r e s u l t i n g

f r o m

n a t u r a l

p h e n o m e n a

2 ) disastrous events occasioned occasioned by man, or by man'simpact upon the environment DOH

Department of Health

Domino Theory

A theory on accident causation proposed by Heinrich in the 1920's. Heinrich's Domino Theory suggests that an accident leading to injury or damage is the result of a five stage sequence and each stage (domino) represents a linked cause. Remove any one and the sequence cannot run its course and the accident will be prevented. The five stages are; 1. Work Situation, 2. Fault of Person, 3. Unsafe Act, 4. Accident, 5. Injury or Damage.

DSD

Dangerous Substances Directive

DSE

Display Screen Equipment

DSEAR

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002

DSER

Display Screen Equipment Regulations

DTI

Department of Trade and Industry

DTLT

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Due Diligence

Some health and safety regulations allow a defence of "due diligence". This allows a person who may be subject to legal proceedings to establish a defence if they can show that they have taken "all reasonable precautions and exercised











their environment,which are primarily affected by climate, water res our ces, soi l and ma n, eco sys tem stud studie ies, s, ecolo ecology gy of grass grassla land nds, s, woodlan woodlands ds and and wetland wetlands, s, arid arid zones zones and and high altit altitudeenvi udeenvi ro nm en ts , co as ta l ecosystem, mangrove s, aquatic ecosystem, fresh waiter, ri ver basi basins ns,, brackish water, marine, estuarine and soil ecology EEC

European Economic Community

EH40

An HSE publication defining Occupational Exposure Limits in support of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

EHO

Environmental Health Officer. A local authority position responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation at a local level.

EMAS

Employment Medical Advisory Service

Embryotoxin

Also known as fetotoxin. A substance which can harm or kill an unborn baby.

Emer Em ergen gency cy

Any sit uat io n, whi ch pr ese nts a thr eat to safe safety ty of pers person on or/an or/and d property. It may require outside help also.

Emergency Plan

A legal requirement for Upper Tier COMAH sites. A written plan detailing the actions to be taken in the event of an emergency or serious incident.

Emergency

External bodies which are available to handle majoraccidents and their

Services

consequences both on-site and off-site, e.g. fire authorities,police, health services etc

Encapsulation

A technique used in the manufacture of equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, where the equipment is encapsulated either in oil or resin to prevent any potential ignition source from coming in contact with the explosive atmosphere.

Environment

The natural environment comprises all living and non-living things that occur naturally on earth. The environment may also include the built environment. Essentially the environment in which we work and which may affected by our work activities.

Environment

The Uk's public body for protecting and improving the environment in England











Epidemiology

the scientific study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations.

Ergonomic Hazards Hazards

Workplace conditions that pose a risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Ergonomic hazards include repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes and awkward postures that arise from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools and equipment.

Ergonomics

The study and knowledge of human abilities and limitations to help design and build for comfort, efficiency, productivity and safety.

Erro Errors rs

Of different types, viz. human error, design error; planning, pr od uc ti on ,operation ,operation and mainte maintenan nance ce error error etc. 1) H u m a n e r r o r c a n b e d e f i n e d a s a h u m a n ' s a c t i o n , w h i ch d i ff er s f r o m o r i s inc inconsi onsis stent tent with with pres presc cribe ribed d or established behaviours or procedures. It may be of twotypes: predictable or random. 2) Predictable error occurs under similar conditions and can be foreseen because ithas occurred more than once. 3) Random error is non-predictable and unique in nature. For example, all of asudden a fly or insect enters in eye due to w hi hi ch ch a w or o r ke k e r m ay ay th th ro r o w a wa wa y a to to ol o l or or l o s e h i s b a l a n c e and cause error. But if flies become common p h e n o m e n a i . e . pred predic icta tabl ble, e, the the erro errorr bec becomes omes pred predic icta tabl ble e one one and remedial measures are required.

EU

European Union

Evaporation

The process of a material changing state from liquid to gas.

Evacuation

To move all people from a threatened area to a safer area. It is required as afunction of Onsite or Offsite Emergency Plan.

Event Tree

A tree like diagram used to determine alternative potential scenarios arising from a particular hazardous event. Can also be used quantitively to determine the probability or frequency of different consequences arising from the











failures, human errors and external events can combine to cause specific accidents. FIAT

Acronym standing for Fixed, Interlocked, Automatic & Trip. This represents the type of guarding that can be applied to a machine and the order in which it should preferably be applied.

Fire Prevention and

A

special

aspect

of

damage

control.

It

protects

Control

m a c h i n e r y , m a t e r i a l s , manufactured goods, money assets and manpower from damage due to fire.

First Aid

The immediate aid provided to a sick or injured person to 1. Preserve Life, 2. Prevent Further Injury and 3. Promote Recovery. Covered in the workplace by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Flammability

The ease with which a substance will ignite.

Flammable Gas Flammable Liquid Flammable Solid Flash Fire and Jet

A flash fire is the non-explo sive combustion of a vapour

Fire

c l o u d r e s u l t i n g f r o m a r e lle e as as e o f fl fl a mm mm a bl bl e m a te te r iia a l in in t o t h e open and which after mixing with air, ig nites. A jet fire occurs when flammable gas releases from the pipeline (or hole) andthe released gas ignites immediately. Damage distance d e p e n d s o n t h e o p e r a t i n g press pressur ure e and and the the diam diamet eter er of the the hole hole or opening flow rate

Flash Point

The lowest temperature at which the vapour of a substance, mixed with air will 'flash' when a flame is applied to the mixture.

FLT

Forklift Truck

FMEA

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. A methodology designed to identify potential failure modes for a product or process, to assess the risk associated with those











Fume

Vapours, dusts or gases given of by a substance.

Fume Cupboard

A type of Local Exhaust Ventilation. Typically a cabinet with a moveable front sash window, made from safety glass. Air is drawn into the cupboard under and through the opened sash and is exhausted through openings in the rear and top of the cabinet to a remote point, such as an exhaust stack on the roof of the building.

G

Glare

Bright light that interferes with with a person's ability to see. Glare can cause discomfort and can lead to eyestrain and headaches.

GMC

General Medical Council. The UK's body for regulating doctors and ensuring good medical practice

GMP

Good Manufacturing Practices. The standard of controls required for the production of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals in the US, UK, Europe and Japan.

Good Practice

A management concept that some ways are more effective at delivering results than others. This is often considered alongside benchmarking, which is about making comparisons with others and learning the lessons that those comparisons throw up.

Guarding

Use of any device or combination of devices which prevents any person gaining access to a dangerous part of a machine.

H

H&S Rep

Health & safety Representatives. Safety Reps are appointed by trade unions to represent their members on health and safety matters.

Hand Arm Vibration

Hand-arm vibration affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints and is

Syndrome

the result of too much vibration associated with the use of hand held vibrating power tools. Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome includes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Vibration White Finger.

Handling of a

The manufacture, processing, treatment, package, storage, transportation, use,













HCFC's

HydroChloroFlouroCarbons. Any organic compound composed of Hydrogen, Chlorine, Flourine, Carbon. These are typically refrigerants such as R22. Like CFC's, HCFC's have been found to pose a serious environmental threat.

Hazard

An object, situation, or behaviour, that has the potential to cause harm in terms of injury, ill health, or damage to property or the environment. (See also Risk). 1) Chem Chemic ical al Haza Hazard rd is a hazar d d ue to chemi cal (incl uding its pr op er ty , st or ag e, process process,, handlin handling, g, effect effect etc. etc.)) and it it is realise realised d by fire, explosion, toxicity, corrosion,radiation etc. 2) Major Hazard is a large-scale chemical hazard, especially one, whichmay be realised through an acute even. 3) Occupational hazards a r e t h e h a z a r d s a r i s i n g i n c o u r s e o f a n d o u t o f occupation or employment. They include physical, chemical, biological, mechanical,electrical, psychological and all occupational health hazards, diseases and poisoning 4) R ap ap id i d ra ra nk n k iin n g m et et ho ho d i s a m e a n s o f c l a s s i f y i n g t h e h a z a r d s o f s e p a r a t e elem elemen ents ts of plan plantt with within in an indu indust stri rial al complex, to enable areas for priority attention to be quickly established.

H a za za rd rd s u rv rv ey ey

T h e t o t a l e f f o r t s i n v o l v e d i n a n a s s e s s m e n t o f t h e hazards from installations and their means of control

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety











Person, 3. Unsafe Act, 4. Accident, 5. Injury or Damage. HID

Hazardous Installations Directorate

HR

Human Resources. The new name for Personnel.

HSAC

Health Services Advisory Committee

HSC

The Health and Safety Commission

HSCER

The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

HSE

The Health and Safety Executive

HSWA

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This is the primary health and safety legislation in the UK. It is considered an "umbrella" act under which more specific regulations exist to cover specific areas of health and safety.

Human Factors

The environmental, organisational and job factors and human and individual characteristics which influence behavior at work. Careful consideration of human factors can improve health and safety by reducing accidents and cases of illhealth at work. See also Ergonomics.

Hygiene

The assessment and control of chemical, physical or biological hazards in the workplace that could cause disease, ill health or discomfort.

Hypersensitive

An immune response that damages the body's own tissues.

Hypothermia

A life threatening condition in which the body temperature drops below the level required for normal metabolism and body function.

I

Ignition Source

A flame, spark or hot surface capable of igniting flammable vapours or fumes.











Inhibitor

Injury

Considered to include occupational disease and work-connected disability. Work injury is defined as an injury suffered by a person, which arises out of and inthe course of his employment. It is an external damage to human body; disturbance or d y s f u n c t i o n r e s u l t e d f r o m a n a c c i d e n t . B y c a u s e it m ay be me ch an i ca l , t he r ma l, chemic ica al, ra rad dia iate ted d or comb mbiined.

Injection

The entry of a substance through a puncture wound.

Injury Frequency

The number of injuries per 100,000 hours worked. The following formula can be

Rate

applied. No. of Injuries x 100,000 Hours/Total No. of Hours Worked.

Injury Severity

A measure of the days lost to injuries during a specific period. The following

Rate

formula can be applied. No. of days Lost x 100,000 Hours/Total No. of Hours Worked.

IoD

Institute of Directors

IOSH

Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

Irritant

A non corrosive substance which can cause inflammation through immediate, prolonged or repeated contact.

IRRs

Ionising Radiations Regulations

ISO

International Standards Organisation. Responsible for international standards, such as the quality standards ISO 9001 and the environmental standard ISO











enclosure and away from the worker and workspace. Lock Out

A specific set of procedures for ensuring that a machine, once shutdown for maintenance or repair is secured against accidental start-up or movement of any of its parts for the length of the shut-down. See also Lock Out/Tag Out.

Lock Out/Tag Out

Specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energisation or start-up of machinery and equipment or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities. See also Lock Out.

LOLER

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

LOPA

Layer of Protection Analysis. A risk analysis technique which lies somewhere between a quantitative risk assessment and a fully blown HAZOP study. It founded on the basis that plants are protected by several "layers" of protection.

Loss Control

Measures taken to prevent or reduce loss. Loss is considered and any loss arising from injury, illness property damage, fines etc. Total Loss Control involves reporting to control centres all property damageaccidents and injury causing accidents, supplemented b y s p o t c h e c k s a n d s a f e t y audits.

Loss Prevention

A term used in risk management to describe a number of methods used to reduce the amount of all losses.

Lost Time Accident

Any accident that prevents a worker from performing their normal duties. See also Reportable Accident.

Lower Tier

Defined in the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Regulations 1999 as











often caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. Method Statement

A document detailing how a particular process will be carried out. Such a statement is commonly used to describe how construction/installation works can be carried out safely.

MIOSH

Member of The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

MOD

Ministry of Defence

MSD

Musculoskeletal Disorder

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

Mutagen

A substance which may cause changes in human cells and may be handed down from generation to generation.

N

Narcotic

Substances that result in drowsiness or dulling of the senses.

NAW

National Assembly for Wales

Near Miss

A near miss describes an incident which given a slight shift in time or distance might have resulted in injury, ill-heath or damage. By reporting, investigating and acting on lessons learned from near misses, accidents should be prevented.

NEBOSH

National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. An independent awards body who are responsible for two well known and well respected qualifications. The NEBOSH General Certificate. An examined qualification, usually following the equivalent of two weeks of study. Considered the 'de facto' standard for managers and supervisors and as preparation for the Diploma. The













making sure that you are fit for the work you do. Occupational Illness

Any illness an employee suffers because of the hazards they have been exposed to at work.

OECD

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OH&S

Occupational Health and Safety

OHSAS 18001

Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Specification. Not yet adopted and an International Standard. OHSAS 18001 is an assessment specification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, following the same format and structure as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. It is expected that OHSAS 18001 will be adopted as an international standard at some time in the future.

OHSAS

A private company providing occupational health and safety advice. Formerly the Occupational Health and Safety Services for the NHS in Fife and Tayside. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The

of Labor











ppm

Parts per million

Practicable

In health and safety law this term is usually taken as meaning 'that which is physically possible, in light of current knowledge and invention.'

Preventative

An approach to maintenance for preventing machinery and equipment failure

Maintenance

through scheduled regular maintenance, knowledge of the reliability of the parts, maintenance service records, and maintaining a spares holding of the least reliable parts and the parts scheduled for replacement.

Procedure

A step by step description of how to do a task, job or activity properly and safely.

Prohibition Notice

A notice issued by the Health and Safety Executive that requires specified activities to cease, usually forthwith. Commonly issued following a serious accident if the inspector considers there is a likelihood of repetition.

Protective Hand

See Barrier Cream.











claimant's) loss or injury. RIDDOR

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995

Risk

The chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by a hazard in the workplace, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.

Risk Assessment

A Risk Assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.

Risk Management

The practical steps taken to protect people from real harm.

Risk Phrase

The standard phrases defined in EH40 and used in the classification, packaging, labeling and provision of information on hazardous substances.

Root Cause

The real or underlying cause of an event, as distinguished from the immediate cause or causes which are usually fairly obvious.











reviews health and safety performance and promotes good health and safety practices with a view to improving health and safety performance. Safety Culture

The degree to which good working practices and positive attitudes towards health and safety are embedded within the culture of an organisation.

Safety Inspection

A Safety Inspection, as opposed to a Safety Audit, is an examination of the actual conditions and working practices within a workplace.

Safety Passport

A scheme used in various industries, but most notably construction, to provide a framework for safety training to ensure that workers are aware of the risks of their workplace before being allowed to work in that environment.

Safety Phrase

The standard phrases defined in EH40 and used in the classification, packaging, labeling and provision of information on hazardous substances.











Short Term

The exposure to a hazardous substance continuously over a short period of

Exposure

time.

Sick Building

A term used to describe the situation where building occupants experience

Syndrome

acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to the time spent in the building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

SIL

Safety Integrity Level. Originally defined in IEC61508, the European standard for safety in programmable electronic systems, as a measure of the dependability of of a safety related function. There are usually 4 defined levels of SIL, SIL 4 being the most dependable and SIL 1 being the least.

Six Pack

The'Six Pack' was the UK Government's response to the EU Framework Directive and comprised; The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992













TGWU

Transport and General Workers Union

Time Weighted

Usually calculated as an 8 hour TWA. An average value of exposure over the

Average

course of an 8 hour shift.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the name given to the condition of noises 'in the ears' and/or 'in the











Vibration

Vibration experienced by the body as a result of using vibrating power tools. Usually classified either as whole body or hand-arm vibration. See also HandArm Vibration Syndrome.

Vibration White

A condition caused by exposure to hand held and other vibrating equipment.











radiography, either in medicine or non destructive testing. Y

Young Person

Defined by the The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations as someone between 16 & 18 years of age. Special provision is made to recognise

Safety Terminologies

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