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Datamatrix - Environment, Health, Safety Terminology

Suite 804

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY TERMINOLOGY

Please note that the information provided herein is not intended to be absolute. It is a compilation of information which has been harmonized to adhere to the foundation of principles as put forth by The UN, the United States and the Commonwealth so it is important that you should check current details with your particular government.

You will encounter many technical expressions when discussing health and safety and the environment. It is important that you understand what these terms are and how they affect your business.

Accident – An accident is an event which is unplanned, unintended and unexpected.

Accident book - An accident book is used to record details of any accidents that have occurred in the workplace, however minor the injuries are.

ACoPs - Approved Code of Practice . ACoPs provide detailed guidance on how to comply with the relevant health and safety legislation. You are strongly advised to follow the steps set out in the ACoP. Should you be taken to court, the onus will be on you to demonstrate that any alternative arrangements are as effective in protecting health and safety as the methods set out in the ACoP.

Action levels - There are three action levels. The first two action levels depend on the noise levels in the work place and how long people are exposed to noise. The third action level (peak action level) refers to the maximum limit for a single loud noise.

Air Quality Strategy - The Air Quality Strategy for England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland aims to assess the air quality across the whole of the UK . It sets targets for the reduction of hazardous emissions to air.

Approved Supply List – The Approved Supply List contains many commonly used hazardous substances. Suppliers must identify these substances with a warning label and provide you with a safety data sheet.

Authorised Waste Carrier - Authorised Waste Carriers are permitted to handle and dispose of waste. They include: council waste collectors, registered waste carriers (with the EA or SEPA), holders of waste management licences, registered waste brokers (with EA or SEPA).

BAT - Best Available Techniques must be used by businesses regulated under PPC to ensure that pollution is avoided.

BATNEEC - Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost must be used by businesses regulated under IPC and LAPC.

BPM - Best practicable means is an attempt to prevent a nuisance occurring or to counteract its effects. The term “means” includes:

  • The design, installation and maintenance of plant and machinery
  • The manner and periods of operation of plant and machinery
  • The design, construction and maintenance of buildings and structures

British Standards - A British Standard is a document that sets out a technical specification or other precise criteria for materials, products, systems and services. British Standards can indicate that materials and products meet a certain safety or environmental standard.

CDM - Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. The aim of CDM is to put management systems in place to ensure that health and safety risks faced by construction workers (and others) are avoided, reduced and controlled.

CHIP - Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002. The aim of CHIP is to ensure that people who are supplied with chemicals receive the information they need to protect themselves, others and the environment.

CHP - Combined Heat and Power. CHP installations generate power (in the form of electricity) and heat (usually in the form of steam or hot water).

Climate change - Greenhouse gas emissions cause changes to the earth's climate, such as higher temperatures and rises or falls in rainfall.

Climate change levy - The climate change levy is a tax on energy used by businesses. The levy is charged on electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and several forms of coal and coke.

COMAH - Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999. COMAH applies to industrial sites using or storing dangerous substances which, if a major accident occurs, have the potential to cause harm to both people and the environment.

Confined space - A confined space is any enclosure with limited openings, eg storage tanks, silos, sewers, drains, vats, open-topped chambers.

Contaminated land - Contaminated land is land that contains substances (either in, on or under the land), which could cause significant harm to people, other animals, vegetation, man made property and environment. Contaminated land is also land which is – or is likely to - cause the pollution of controlled waters.

Control Hierarchy - The control hierarchy sets out the order in which you should control risks, specifically hazardous substances. These are:

  1. Eliminate the need for a hazardous substance by changing the process or activity
  2. Replace it with a safer alternative
  3. Prevent access to it by putting in place system and engineering controls
  4. Control exposure at source eg by using local exhaust ventilation
  5. Issue personal protective equipment

Controlled waste - Controlled waste is household, commercial or industrial waste. It may be solid or liquid, scrap metal or a scrap car. It does not have to be hazardous or toxic to be controlled waste.

Controlled waters - Controlled waters are the UK 's natural waters. These are rivers and streams, lakes and lochs, estuaries, coastal waters and ground waters.

CORGI - Confederation of Registered Gas Installers.; Only CORGI registered organisations are allowed to install, inspect and maintain natural gas appliances.

COSHH - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. COSHH requires businesses to take steps to control the risk of hazardous substances to employees.

Dark smoke - Dark smoke is any smoke that appears to be as dark or darker than shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart. Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and wood, may release dark smoke into the air. Dark smoke creates high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Both contribute to greenhouse gases and are linked to climate change.

Disabled person - A person is disabled if he or she has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial long-term and adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Discharge consent - A discharge consent is a permit issued by the EA or SEPA that allows you to discharge certain matter into controlled waters subject to strict conditions. (See Trade effluent consent)

DSE - Display screen equipment. DSE is all equipment that has a video display screen including computers, television, control screens etc.

Duty of care for health and safety - Both you and anyone on your premises have a duty of care to protect their health and safety. This means that you must take reasonable precautions to avoid acts which could foreseeably cause harm to people.

Duty of care for waste - The duty of care is a law that states that you must take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste is managed responsibly. If you give waste to someone else you must be sure they are authorised to take it and can transport, recycle or dispose of it safely.

EA - The Environment Agency is the main regulatory and enforcement authority for environmental matters. It is responsible for matters concerning waste regulation, water quality – including pollution prevention – and regulating the emissions to from most large industrial and manufacturing processes.

Ecolabel - An Ecolabel is awarded to products that meet strict criteria to prove that they minimise their impact on the environment. The Ecolabel is a voluntary instrument to encourage the development of greener products.

EEA - European Environment Agency. The EEA provides information on the state of the environment in Europe .

EHOs - Environmental Health Officers. EHOs are the officers who undertake the duties of the enforcement authority (Local Authorities) responsible for health and safety for some premises including offices, retail premises, food premises, exhibition premises and some warehousing. EHOs also have environmental responsibilities such as dealing with air pollution problems and noise nuisance.

EHS - The Environment and Heritage Service advises on the implements environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland .

EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment. EIA is a method used to take into account environmental considerations for a proposed development.

Electrical Installation - An electrical installation is the installed mains wiring that distributes electricity around a building, including cables, sockets, panels.

Electrical system - An electrical system is anything that may become energised from the electrical installation to electrical appliances connected to it.

EMAS - The European Union's (EU) Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. EMAS is a voluntary standard obtained by businesses, which demonstrates that they have gone beyond minimum legal compliance and are continuously improving their environmental performance. Businesses regularly produce a public environmental statement that reports on their environmental performance.

EMS - Environmental Management System. An EMS helps a business manage its activities which affect the environment.

Energy efficiency - Energy efficiency refers to the sustainable and efficient use of energy to cut carbon dioxide emissions, which are the key contributor to global warming.

Enforcement authorities/officers - Both the HSE and Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation. In very broad terms the HSE covers industrial activity, and Local Authorities cover local commercial activities.

Enforcement notices - enforcement notices are issued by the environmental regulator if breach of a consent has occurred, or is likely to occur.

Environmental standards - Environmental standards, such as ISO14001 or EMAS, are a way to demonstrate a business' commitment to reducing the environmental impact of all their effects. Participation in either standard is voluntary.

European Waste Catalogue - The European Waste Catalogue has been produced by the European Union to allow those dealing with waste to identify it accurately. It is used in duty of care for waste documentation. The Catalogue also identifies wastes that should be classified as hazardous.

Fire certificate - A fire certificate sets out the fire safety arrangements for your premises. It includes:

  • A plan of the premises showing all fire safety equipment, signs and fire escapes
  • Details of the fire alarm system installed
  • Testing and maintenance details for the equipment

First aid - You must make arrangements to ensure that anyone who is injured or suffers ill health at work receives immediate attention and that an ambulance is called in a serious case.

First aider - A first aider is someone who has undergone a training course in administering first aid and holds a current First Aid at Work certificate.

First-aid box - A first-aid box contains equipment, which you may need when applying first aid, eg dressings, bandages, plasters. A first-aid box is clearly marked with a white cross against a green background.

Global warming - Global warming is a result of certain gases, including CO2, accumulating in the atmosphere causing it to retain heat and alter global climate.

Greenhouse gases - Greenhouse gases are gases that cause global warming, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Groundwaters - Groundwaters are underground water resources eg aquifers.

Harm - Harm can be:

  • Injury – ranging from minor (eg small cuts, bruises) to severe (eg a loss of a limb)
  • Physical ill health (eg dermatitis, asthma, hearing loss)
  • Mental ill health
  • Death

Hazard - A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to people eg chemicals, electricity, working with ladders

Hazardous substances - Hazardous substances are:

  • Substances used directly in work activities eg adhesives, paint, cleaning agents
  • Substances generated during work eg fumes from soldering
  • Naturally occurring substances eg grain dust
  • Biological agents eg bacteria

Health surveillance - Health surveillance involves checking the health of individual employees exposed to specific health risks at work. This is done by looking for adverse changes to their health, which may be caused by hazardous substances.

Home worker - A home worker is an employee who works at home for an employer.

HSC - The Health and Safety Commission. The HSC is responsible for:

  • Providing information and advice
  • Sponsoring and conducting research
  • Submitting proposals for new and revised legislation

HSE - Health and Safety Executive. HSE is the enforcement and advisory body to the HSC. It is responsible for:

  • Providing information and advice
  • Conducting inspections and enforcing health and safety law
  • Conducting research
  • Drafting new and revised legislation and approved codes of practice.

IEE - Institution of Electrical Engineers. The IEE has published regulations for electrical installations, which are universally accepted as the standards for electrical installation and maintenance.

Improvement notices - Improvement notices are served by a health and safety inspector if a law has been broken and the infringement is serious enough to warrant it.

Information, instruction, training and supervision - Employers have a duty to provide workers with information, instruction, training and supervision:

  • Information is the duty to advise workers of the hazards and risks associated with their work
  • Instruction is the established way in which the worker needs to conduct themselves to minimise and control risks.
  • Training is the process of ensuring workers are competent to follow the instruction and ensure that the risks are under control

IPC - Integrated Pollution Control. IPC applies an integrated approach to the environmental management of certain industrial activities – emissions to air, water and land must be considered together. IPPC is in the process of replacing IPC. Existing IPC processes are being phased into the IPPC regime between 1 December 2000 and 31 March 2007.

IPPC - Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. IPPC like IPC, covers emission to air, land and water, but it goes further and covers noise and vibration, energy efficiency, waste minimisation, environmental accidents and site protection. IPPC is in the process of replacing IPC. Existing IPC processes are being phased into the IPPC regime between 1 December 2000 and 31 March 2007.

ISO14001 - ISO14001 is an internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The standard recognises businesses that demonstrate compliance the legislation and attainment of high environmental standards.

Landfill - Landfill is disposing of solid waste into or onto land. A landfill tax applies to all waste disposed of at a licensed landfill site.

LAPC - Local Air Pollution Control. Emissions to air from certain businesses are controlled and monitored by the local authority through the LAPC system. LAPC will be replaced in England , Scotland and Wales by LAPPC.

LAPPC - Local Air Pollution Prevention and Control. LAPPC will replace LAPC, regulating certain businesses for emissions to air. LAPC and LAPPC have very similar requirements. A small number of business that are currently regulated under LAPC will have additional obligations under IPPC.

Lone workers - Lone workers are people who work by themselves without close

Or direct supervision. This includes people who work alone on the premises, either separately from other people or outside working hours, or mobile workers working away from a fixed base, eg travelling sales people.

LPG - Liquid petroleum gas.

Manual handling - Manual handling is any task involved in transporting, carrying or supporting a load. It includes lifting, putting down, pushing, carrying or moving.

MEL - Maximum Exposure Limit. MELs are set for substances that may cause the most serious health effects, eg cancer, and for which “safe” levels of exposure cannot be determined. A MEL is also set for substances if, although safe levels may exist, it is not reasonable to control to those levels.

New or expectant mothers - A new or expectant mother is a woman who:

  • Is pregnant
  • Has given birth within the previous six months or is still breast feeding her child

Noise - Noise is unwanted sound caused by equipment, machinery and other work processes.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss - Noise Induced Hearing Loss is either temporary or permanent deafness caused by being exposed to a noisy environment.

OELS - Occupational Exposure Limits. The HSE sets OELs for hazardous substances. These values are contained in the publication EH40, which is revised and published yearly.

Ozone depleting substances - Ozone depleting substances refer to gases that cause damage to the ozone layer. Ozone depleting substances are often found in refrigerants and solvents. They are now being phased out in the UK .

Packaging - Packaging is all products (regardless of the material from which they are made) to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery or presentation of goods. Packaging includes boxes, pallets, labels, containers, tubes, bags, sacks etc made out of paper, board, timber, glass, metals, plastics, ceramics and the like. It can also include tape, wrapping, binding and tying materials.

Permit to Work - A Permit to Work is a formal written statement of work to be done, safety precautions to be taken and confirmation that associated risks and hazards have been identified.

Personal Hearing Protection - Personal Hearing Protection is one type of PPE, which is worn by the worker to protect their hearing in noisy work areas. Personal Hearing Protection is either earplugs or earmuffs.

Polluter pays - Polluter pays is a concept whereby those responsible for pollution meet the costs of restoration or remediation in full.

Portable appliance - A portable appliance is any piece of equipment which can be connected and disconnected from the main electrical systems without tools, or which can be energised using a battery eg laptop computer, kettle.

PPC - Personal Protective Equipment. PPE is all equipment (including clothing) that is worn by a worker to protect him or her against one or more health and safety risks. Uniforms that do not specifically protect against risks to health and safety are not PPE. PPE includes:

  • Safety helmets
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection eg goggles
  • High-visibility clothing
  • Safety footwear
  • Safety harnesses

Process Guidance notes - Process Guidance (PG) notes provide guidance on the conditions appropriate for the control of emissions into air from certain industrial processes regulated by local authorities.

Producer responsibility - Producer responsibility involves making manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of the products and packaging they produce. The aim of producer responsibility is to ensure that someone (usually the original producer of the goods) takes responsibility for the proper safe disposal/recovery of the goods when they have reached the end of their useful life.

Prohibition notice - A prohibition notice is served where a health and safety inspector believes that continuing the activity presents the risk of serious personal injury. The prohibition notice requires the activity to stop until health and safety controls have been put in place.

PUWER - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. PUWER requires businesses to control risks to employees from work equipment.

Reasonably practicable - The judgement of what is “reasonably practicable” in protecting people in the workplace is based upon the likelihood of an accident arising and the seriousness of the outcome if the accident occurs.

Relcycling and reuse - Recycling means reclaiming reusable materials from waste eg composting. Reuse means reusing waste materials in their existing form eg milk bottles.

RIDDOR - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Under RIDDOR, you are required to report work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. It applies to all work activities, but not to all incidents.

Ringelmann Smoke Charts - Ringlemann Smoke Charts are a series of four visual charts graded from white to black used to define the darkness of smoke.

Risk - A risk is the chance, high or low, that people or the environment will be harmed by a hazard.

Risk assessment - A risk assessment is an examination of what in your work could cause harm to people or the environment. This will allow you to decide what precautions you should take to prevent that harm from occurring.

Risk phrases - These are phrases assigned under CHIP to chemicals eg R22 – “harmful if swallowed”, R10 – “flammable”. They describe the hazards of a chemical/product and are included in safety data sheets (SDS).

ROHS - Restriction on the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

RPE - Respiratory Protective Equipment. RPE is one type of PPE worn to protect the worker from inhaling hazardous substances and to provide the worker with air that is clean and safe to breathe.

RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury. RSI basically refers to the same conditions of Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs). RSI usually refers to pain in the arm when working with computers. The preferred term is WRULDs.

Safe system of work - Safe systems of work are methods for carrying out tasks to take into account all risks with the aim of minimising them.

Safety committee - An employer must set up a safety committee if two or more safety representatives make a written request. The purpose of the committee is to discuss health and safety matters.

Safety representatives - Safety representatives are appointed y recognised trade unions. Safety representatives have specific duties including:

  • Looking into complaints raised by employees regarding their health and safety
  • Carrying out general health and safety inspections of the workplace
  • Carrying out inspections after an accident
  • Inspecting documentation
  • Attending meetings

Safety signs and signals - A safety sign and signal is used in the workplace to worn and instruct anyone on your premises of risks to their health and safety. Safety signs and signals cover;

  • Traditional signboards
  • Fire safety signs
  • Hand signals
  • Alarms
  • Spoken communication

SDS - Safety data sheet. An SDS must be supplied if the chemical is dangerous and supplied for use at work. The SDS provides information on:

  • The hazard of the chemicals
  • Handling and storage
  • Its environmental effects
  • Exposure controls
  • PPE

SEPA - Scottish Environment Protection Agency. SEPA is responsible for regulation and enforcement of most environmental matters in Scotland .

Sick Building Syndrome - This syndrome causes staff to suffer ill health with symptoms including dry/itchy skin, dry eyes/nose/throat, stuffy nose, headaches/lethargy. The main feature of the syndrome is worsening symptoms with increased time spent in the building. Symptoms generally disappear away from the building.

Special waste - ~Special waste is waste that is hazardous or dangerous to handle eg batteries, oils and oil filters, paint and ink, chemical waste, solvents. The term is due to be replaced by hazardous waste when new legislation is made during 2005.

Statutory nuisance - A statutory nuisance is only regarded as such if it affects local people. It could arise from:

  • Noise
  • Smoke and fumes
  • Dust
  • Steam
  • Odours
  • Build up or deposit of waste and materials

Stress - There is no legal definition of stress. The HSE defines stress as an adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure. If stress is intense and goes on for some time it can lead to mental and physical ill health eg depression and heart disease.

Surface waters - Surface waters are bodies of water on the surface of the land eg rivers, lakes.

Sustainable development - Sustainable development is the concept of “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. There are four main objectives, of which the following two relate to the environment:

  • Effective protection of the environment
  • Wise use of natural resources

Trade effluent - any liquid waste resulting from a business' processes. Trade effluent includes waste chemicals, detergents, substances used for washing such as oils, solvents, chemicals, adhesives, inks or powders, run-off water from hard surfaces contaminated with oil eg car parks, maintenance bays.

Trade effluent consent - A trade effluent discharge consent is a permit issued by your local sewerage undertaker that allows you to discharge certain matter into sewers subject to strict conditions.

Transfer note - In accordance with the Duty of Care, a waste transfer note has to be produced when waste is transferred from one waste holder to another in the waste management chain and includes a description of the waste. A transfer note must be completed and signed by both persons (holders) involved in the transfer.

VDU - Visual Display Unit.

VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds are a wide range or organic chemicals that readily evaporate at room temperature. VOCs are present in solvents, paints and exhaust fumes. There are limits on the emissions of VOCs.

Waste minimisation - Waste minimisation means reducing waste at source by reducing raw material use, making more from less and reducing the volume and hazard of emissions to air, land and water.

WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. New legislation is being made to increase the amount of WEEE that is recovered and recycled.

Work equipment - Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation used for work eg hammers, forklift trucks, pressing machines and photocopiers.

WRULDs - Work Related Upper Limb Disorders. WRULDs are problems with the shoulder and arm (including the forearm, elbow, wrist, hand and finger). WRULDs can also include neck pain. Problems include tenderness, aches, pains, stiffness, weakness, tingling, numbness, cramp or swelling. They are caused by a variety of work tasks eg forceful or repetitive activities or for poor posture.

Young person - Anyone who is not yet 18 years old. A child is anyone not yet over compulsory school age (i.e. under 16 years old).

Note: Although this site is a compilation of information from various countries we would like to particularly acknowledge the support of the United Nations, FirstGov of the United States Government and Business Link of the United Kingdom for the use of their text which is provided by permission and protected by their individual copyrights. A more complete list of acknowledgements with their official links can be accessed in this site through: Acknowledgements

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