OSHE Definition's / Term’s
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Health- “ A state of well-being” The term health, in
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relation to work, indicates not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity; it also includes the physical and
mental elements affecting health which are directly
related to safety and hygiene at work- OSHC C155
ILO
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Health- A state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity- WHO 1946)

Health- The protection of the bodies and minds of
people from illness resulting from the materials,
processes or procedures used in the workplace. –
International Health and Safety at Work -Phil Hughes,
Ed Ferrett

Occupational or work-related ill- health- This
is concerned with those illnesses or physical and
mental disorders that are either caused or triggered
by workplace activities. Such conditions may be
induced by the particular work activity of the
individual or by activities of others in the workplace.
They may be either physiological or psychological or
a combination of both. The time interval between
exposure and the onset of the illness may be short
(e.g. asthma attacks) or long (e.g. deafness or cancer)
. – International Health and Safety at Work -Phil
Hughes, Ed Ferrett
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Safety- “ Absence of danger of physical
harm” The term ‘safety’ is considered to
be the absence of danger of physical
harm to people. The term would extend
to other things that could be harmed in
the workplace such as equipment,
structures and materials- RMS Book.
Safety -“ Freedom from unacceptable risk
of harm”- OHSAS 18001-1999
Safety – The protection of people from
physical injury. The borderline between
health and safety is ill-defined and the
two words are normally used together to
indicates concern for the physical and
mental well-being of the individual at the
place of work – International Health and
Safety at Work -Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett
OSHE Definition's / Term’s
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
Welfare
“Facilities for workplace
comfort” The term ‘welfare’ relates to the
provision of workplace facilities that
maintain the basic well-being and
comfort of the worker, such as eating,
washing, toilet facilities and first-aidRMS Book.
Welfare – The provision of facilities
to maintain the health and well-being of
individuals at the workplace. Welfare
facilities included washing and sanitation
arrangements, the provision of drinking
water, heating, lighting, accommodation
for clothing, seating (when required by
the work activity or for rest), eating and
rest rooms. First-aid arrangements are
also considered as welfare facilities . –
International Health and Safety at Work
-Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett
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Environmental Protection“ A measure used to prevent harm to the
environment of the world” RMS Book.

Environmental Protection
– These are the arrangements to cover
those activities in the workplace which
affect the environment (in the form of
flora, fauna, water, air and soil) and,
possibly , the health and safety of
employees and others. Such activities
include waste and effluent disposal and
atmospheric pollution . – International
Health and Safety at Work -Phil Hughes,
Ed Ferrett
OSHE Definition's / Term’s

Hazard- A hazard is something (e.g.
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Risk-
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Risk- is the combination of the
an object, a property of a substance, a
phenomenon or an activity) that can
cause adverse affect for example ( water
on staircase, loud noise, asbestos dust)
HSE Executive UK.


Hazard-
Is any source of potential
damage , harm or adverse health
affects on something or someone under
certain conditions at work- Canadian
Centre for Occupational Health and
Safety.
Hazard- Anything that has the
potential to cause harm (e.g.
Machinery , Energy source, Processes)
IOSH- UK
is the likelihood of a substance,
activity or process to cause harm and its
resulting severity . – International Health
and Safety at Work -Phil Hughes, Ed
Ferrett
likelihood of a hazardous event
occurring , and consequence of the event.
IOSH UK.

Risk – is the likelihood of a substance
, activity or process to cause harm and its
resulting severity . – International Health
and Safety at Work -Phil Hughes, Ed
Ferrett
OSHE Definition's / Term’s

Near Miss- This is any incident that could have

resulted in an accident – International Health and
Safety at Work -Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett
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defined as the product of individual and group
values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies
and pattern of behavior that determine the
commitment to , and the style and proficiency
of, an organization health and safety
management”- HSG65 (Health and Safety
Guidance 65).
Accident – This is defined by the UK HSE as
‘any unplanned event that results in injury or illhealth of people, or damage or loss to property,
plan, materials or the environment or a loss of a
business opportunity’. HSE Executive UK.

Incident – Work related event(s) in which an
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Dangerous Occurrence- This is a ‘near
miss’ which could have let to serious injury or loss
of life. Specified dangerous occurrences are
always reportable to the enforcement authorities.
Examples include collapse of a scaffold or a
crane – International Health and Safety at Work
-Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett
Health and Safety Culture- “is
defined as the characteristics shared attitudes ,
values, beliefs and practices of the people at
work concerning not only the magnitude of risk
that they encounter but also the necessity,
practicality, and effectiveness of preventive
measures” IOSH UK
injury or ill-health (regardless of severity) or a
fatality occurred or could have occurred- OHSAS
18001-2007
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Health and Safety Culture- “ is
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Safe System of
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Permit to Work- Formally delivered
Work- A method of
working designed to eliminate, if possible, or
otherwise reduce risks to health and safety
criteria for control/risk reduction when
undertaking pre-planned work that is
hazardous, either because of its location or the
nature of the activity.
OSHE Definition's / Term’s


Error-
Is an action or decision , which
is not intended involving a deviation from
an accepted standard and leading to
undesired outcome.

measures have been taken pro-actively
prior any incident occurs (mainly
achieved through workplace inspection,
review of objectives, compliance with
standards and procedures, health
surveillance , behavioral observation).
Violation- Is a deviation from a rule
, procedure , instruction or a regulation.
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Motivation – Is the driving force

behind the way a person act.

Perception – Is the person
Attitude – Is the tendency to
behave in a particular way in a certain
situation.
Reactive Monitoring – Is when
action is taken reactively after any event
(commonly after injuries, property damage,
ill-health, complaints, enforcement action).
understanding or situation or environment.

Active Monitoring- Is when
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Benchmarking- Health and Safety
benchmarking is a planned process by
which an organization compares its health
and safety processes and performance with
others to learn how to; ( reduce accidents ,
ill-health, improve compliance with health
and safety law, cut compliance cost)
OSHE Definition's / Term’s

Health Surveillance – Is a system of

ongoing health checks of employees who are
exposed to (noise, vibration, radiation, fumes,
dust, biological agents). HSE Executive UK.
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
term that covers a number of
musculoskeletal conditions which affect
the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist or
hand.
WEL’s (Workplace Exposure
Limits)- Established concentration of a
substance that, if not exceeded, will not
normally result in adverse effects to persons
who are exposed

STEL (Short Term Exposure
Limit)- Is the maximum concentration of an
LTEL (Long Term Exposure
Limit)- Is the maximum concentration of an
substance to which an employee is expose to (8
hours)
Hierarchy Of Control- Is a list
of measures designed to control risks
which are considered in order of
importance or effectiveness, or measure
designed to control risk that normally
being with extreme measure of control
and end with the use of PPE which is last
resort.
substance to which an employee is expose to
(15 mints)
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WRULD (Work Related
Upper Limb Disorder)- Is the
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Ergonomics- Is designing a task to
suit the individual in terms of physical and
mental capabilities and individual’s
expectations
OSHE Definition's / Term’s

Asbestos-
Is Hydrated magnesium silicate in

fibrous form
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person who is appropriately trained, qualified,
experienced and skilled to undertake specific
health and safety duties without risk to their
own safety or that of others
Boiling Point- Is Temperature at which a
liquid changes to a gas at normal atmospheric
pressure
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Carcinogen- Is Substance that is known or

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- Is A

chronic disorder of the hand and wrist possibly
resulting from repetitive work involving repeated
wrist flexion or extension

Acute- Is Acute in medical terms means sudden
or rapid onset. The term acute also means that
when pain comes on suddenly it generally goes
away or subsides

Chronic- Is Occurring over an extended
period of time
Corrosive- Is Substance that causes
destruction of another substance, including
human tissue
suspected of causing cancer

Competent Person- Is A
Cryogenics- Is Materials that exist at
extremely low temperatures, e.g. liquid
nitrogen

Flash Point- Is The lowest temperature at
which a flame will propagate through the
vapour of a combustible material

Glare- Is When a portion of the visual
field has a significantly higher luminance than
its surroundings, resulting in reduced contrast
OSHE Definition's / Term’s
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Illuminance- IsA measure of the amount

of light falling on a particular point, measured in
Lux
Inhalation- Is Taking a substance, typically in the
form of gases, fumes, vapours, mists, aerosols or
dusts, into the body by breathing it in - one of the
Routes of Entry


Mutagen-

RCD-

Risk Assessment- Is A formal
Ingestion- Is Taking a substance into the
body through the mouth, for example in the form
of food or drink - one of the Routes of Entry

Injection- Is Taking a substance directly into
the body by puncturing the skin, for example with
a needle - one of the Routes of Entry

Is An electrical safety device that
constantly monitors the electric current
flowing through a circuit. If it senses a loss of
current where electricity is being diverted to
earth (as might happen if a person touches
a live conductor), it rapidly shuts down the
power
estimation of the likelihood that persons may
suffer injury or adverse health effects as a
result of identified hazards
Irritant- Is A substance that produces
inflammation when it makes contacts with the skin,
eyes, nose, or respiratory system
Safety Data Sheet- Is Contain
information on the hazards associated with a
chemical, along with guidance on its safe use
Is Something that is able to
cause a mutation (or genetic change) in a
living cell
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Toxic- Is Substances that cause irritation of
are otherwise harmful to health, such as
carcinogens and poisons

Toxicity- Is The potential for a substance
to be harmful to health
OSHE Definition's / Term’s

Safety Inspection- Is Examination of
workplace, statutory inspection, plant and
machinery, pre-use checks (e.g. Scaffold
Inspection,)

Safety Survey- Is Detailed examination
of one issue, topic (e.g. Noise Survey)

Safety Sampling- Is Sample to judge
compliance normally less time consuming
(e.g. D&A sampling)

Safety Tour- Is normally carried by
higher management (e.g. Weekly
walkthrough)

H&S Audit- Is systematic , objective,
critical evaluation of an organizations health
and safety management system. Usually a
lengthy process and may take few days
NEBOSH Action Verbs

Define – Provide a generally recognized or accepted
definition (e.g. define the term “ergonomics” : Ergonomics is the study of the
interaction between workers and the work environment)

Describe- give a word picture (e.g. describe FOUR effects
on health and safety that might result from inadequate
lighting : Inadequate lighting may cause a variety of effects on health and
safety. When using display screen equipment, inadequate lighting causes the eye
muscles to work harder, which may cause headaches, temporary fatigue and
eyestrain. This may also lead to increased levels of stress. If lighting levels are
poor, workers may not be aware of hazards at floor level, which may result in
increased numbers of slips, trips and falls. In addition, workers who have
inadequate lighting levels for the task they are carrying out may produce errors.
These errors may, as a consequence, result in risks to their own health and safety or
that of others.
NEBOSH Action Verbs

Explain- give a clear account of, or reasons for (e.g. explain
why it is important to use a variety of methods to communicate health and safety information in the
workplace?? People respond differently to different stimuli. Some will notice written information
more readily, whilst others will respond to pictorial information or audible stimuli. Therefore
effective promotion of health and safety information needs to take account of these differences,
and a range of different media should be used. Examples would be posters, which incorporate
pictures, hand-outs, memos, briefings, videos, etc. The use of different methods prevents workers
becoming over-familiar with the materials. If display materials are changed regularly, people are
more likely to notice them. This helps to reinforce the desired message. Variety also helps to
stimulate interest and hopefully increase motivation. If different methods of communication are used,
workers are given more opportunity to provide feedback, or become involved. Whilst some will
willingly feedback verbally, others may be daunted by speaking out, but may prefer to reply in
writing. Providing both methods for feedback would hopefully reach a greater number of people
and provide a greater opportunity for staff involvement. Finally, different types of information
require different methods of communication e.g. a complex safe system of work is more likely to be
understood if given in writing, discussed and demonstrated, whereas a change in Fire Marshall could
be announced at a staff meeting or displayed by the fire action notice.
NEBOSH Action Verbs

Give- provide without explanation; used normally with
the instruction to ‘give an example of’ (e.g. For each of the following
types of hazardous substance, give a typical example

Toxic

Corrosive

Carcinogenic

Irritant

----------------------------------------------------------------
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Toxic – lead

Corrosive – strong acids

Carcinogenic – asbestos

Irritant – detergents
NEBOSH Action Verbs
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Identify- select and name (e.g. identify three types of asbestos commonly found in the

buildings)
Three types of asbestos are:
White (Chrysotile)
Brown (Amosite)
Blue (Crocidolite)
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List- provide a list without explanation (e.g. list SIX observations made during an



inspection of a machine operation which may suggest that the machine has not been ergonomically designed)







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The need for the operator to use excessive force
The need for repetitive movements by the operator
The need for the operator to stretch or stoop
Machine controls sited in awkward positions
Unmarked or poorly marked controls or displays where their functions are not obvious
Lack of visibility of the task by the operator
The workpiece is difficult to position because of its size or weight
Difficulty experienced in changing, adjusting or cleaning the machine tools.
NEBOSH Action Verbs

Outline- give the most important features of less depth
than either ‘explain’ or ‘describe’, but more depth than
list (e.g. outline the sources and possible effects of FOUR non-mechanical hazards commonly
encountered in a woodworking shop), Several non-mechanical hazards could be present including-

Dust from sanding and sawing operations, which could lead to lung disorders and possibly cancer.

Chemical hazards from varnishes and glues which could lead to dermatitis, irritation of the airways and
drowsiness.
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Noise, which could lead to noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus and stress.

Manual handling hazards which could cause musculoskeletal disorders.

Sketch - provide a simple line drawing using labels to
identify specific features
NEBOSH Action Verbs
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State- a less demanding form of ‘define’, or where
there is no generally recognized definition (e.g. State the shape
and colour, and give a relevant example, of EACH of the following types of safety sign)

Prohibition- mandatory- warning- emergency escape or first-aid.

Prohibition signs have a white background within a red circle and with a diagonal red line – for
example a no smoking sign.

Warning signs have a yellow background within a black triangle – for example, signs used to warn
against the hazards of flammable materials, radiation and electricity.

Mandatory signs are round, with a blue background, and are used to designate the compulsory use
of, for example, hearing or head protection.

Emergency escape and first aid signs are rectangular or square, with a green background. An
example is the directional (‘running man’) emergency escape sign.