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Health and Safety Practices
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GLOSSARY Accident An undesired event resulting in death, injury, or damage to health Acute Immediate effect Allergen Substance causing an adverse (usually to lungs or skin) reaction in a person who is sensitive to that substance Appointed Person A person who has been nominated to take charge in the event of an accident, fire or illness. Approved Code of Practice A code of practice, associated with specific regulations, that has been approved by the Health & Safety Commission, that has power like the Highway Code Asbestos Magnesium silicate in fibrous form responsible for 3000 deaths a year in UK Awarding Body is national organisation with powers to accedit and award qualifications. Carcinogen Substance that causes cancer Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A chronic disorder of the hand and wrist often due to repetitive work involving repeated wrist flexion or extension Chronic Occurring over a period of time Code of Practice Rules established by regulatory bodies or trade associations, which are intended as a guide to acceptable behaviour. As such they do not have the force of law behind them Common Law "Judge-made" law that is not written in statute Competent Person A person who is appropriately trained, qualified, experienced and skilled to undertake specific health and safety duties suchas a risk assessment Compliance The act or process of fulfilling requirements Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) promoting safe working with potentially hazardous chemicals Designated Person A person who has been designated as a first aider at work and has been trained to have the knowledge and confidence to deal with any first aid emergency (See Appointed Person) Dose The amount of substance to which a person is exposed in terms of the concentration of the substance and the time period during which the exposure occurs Ergonomics The science and technology of designing equipment, tools, work tasks to fit people. Hazard Potential for harmful effects Health And Safety Executive UK Organisation responsible for proposing and enforcing safety statutes, regulations, approved codes of practice and guidance. "Health and safety practices are those actions and procedures at work that promote better health and safety". "Health & Safety Skills are H&S practices implemented according to national standards competence". This is our working definition, but would welcome other suggestions. Improvement Notice A statutory notice that is issued by an authorising body such as Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Fire Officer on discovery of a breach of statute. It states the offence committed, what action needs to be taken and the time deadline to take action. Incident (or Near Miss) An event that did not cause harm but which might have done so under different circumstances Ingestion Taking a substance into the body through the mouth, e.g. food or drink Inhalation Taking a substance into the body by breathing it in, e.g. gases, fumes, vapours, mists, aerosols or dusts, Irritant A substance that produces inflammation when it makes contacts with the skin, eyes, nose, or respiratory system Material Data Safety Sheet Contain information on the hazards associated with a chemical, along with guidance on its safe use Negligence Either 1) omission to do something that a reasonable person would do or 2) commission of some act that a prudent and reasonable person would not do. Persistence Remaining for an extended period of time. Applicable to some chemicals (e.g. PCBs) that do not easily break down into less hazardous substances Parts Per Million (ppm) Specifies the concentration by volume of a substance dispersed in another substance Permit to Work Formally delivered criteria, usually through written procedures, for control/risk reduction when undertaking pre-planned work that is hazardous. Policy A leagally required statement of an organisation’s strategy for achieving a safe and healthy working environment and the responsibility, organisation and arrangements for enacting it. Prohibition Notice A statutory notice to stop an activity from starting or to cause it to cease. It can be issued by Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Fire Officer. Regulation Regulations are approved by parliament and are generally absolute legal standards. Reasonably Practicable is the phrase used throughout health and safety law that "implies that a computation must be made by the employer in which the quantum of risk is placed on one scale and the sacrifice in the measures necessary to avert the risk (whether in money, time or trouble) is placed in the other." Edwards v NCB 1949 used in H&S at Work etc Act 1974. Reasonably Practicable - Up in EU Court! EU Commission challenges UK in Court (Case C 127/05) saying SFAIRP (so far as is reasonably practicable) "flouts Framework Directive" (pdf). "As far as is reasonably practicable": Advocate General says UK is OK to use the words in H&S law Judgement of ECJ June 2007 says reasonably practicable OK Risk A quantifiable expression of the likelihood of injury or harm resulting from a hazard Risk Assessment A formal estimation, legally required for every workplace, of the likelihood that persons may suffer injury or adverse health effects as a result of identified hazards Risk Management The introduction of change or control measures with the intention of eliminating or bringing the level of risk associated with a hazard within acceptable limits Safe System of Work A method of working designed to eliminate, if possible, or otherwise reduce risks to health and safety Safety Committee A committee that promotes health and safety in the workplace, with members representing employees and management from all sections of an organisation. Standards are outlined in Safety Representatives & Safety Committee Regulations 1977 Safety Culture The degree to which the culture of an organisation promotes and co-operates with safe and healthy work practices Stress When an event or situation places increased demand on mental or emotional resources beyond capacity leading to health and safety related problems such as depression, cardiovascular disease, and musculo-skeletal disorders. Toxic Substances cause irritation or are otherwise harmful to health, such as carcinogens and poisons Vocationally Related Qualification is a nationally recognised award or certificate that is related to work. There are a number of VRQs for health and safety. Volatility Ability of a substance to evaporate Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) Concentration of a substance that, if not exceeded, will not normally result in significant adverse effects to persons who are exposed |
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