ISPON HSE Level 1 key terms

Any source, situation, or act with the potential to cause harm, injury, ill health, or damage to property and the environment. It is distinct from risk, which is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring.

The combination of the likelihood that a hazardous event will occur and the severity of the harm it could cause. Risk is assessed, controlled, and reviewed to protect people and the environment.

A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm, and deciding on controls. It is recorded, reviewed, and updated when conditions change.

A ranked approach to reducing risk: eliminate the hazard, substitute it, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls, and finally use personal protective equipment. Higher-level controls are more reliable.

The branch of health practice concerned with preventing work-related illness and injury, promoting worker well-being, and adapting work to the capabilities of workers. It includes exposure monitoring and health surveillance.

The science of anticipating, recognising, evaluating, and controlling workplace exposures such as chemicals, dust, noise, and heat that can harm worker health. It relies on measurement and exposure assessment.

A planned programme of health checks, such as audiometry or lung function tests, used to detect early signs of work-related ill health. It is required where exposure to a health hazard cannot be fully controlled.

Equipment worn or held by a worker to protect against one or more hazards, such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and respirators. It is the last line of defence and must be suitable, maintained, and correctly used.

Devices such as filtering masks or air-supplied respirators that protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous dusts, fumes, vapours, or gases. Correct fit testing and face-fit checks are essential.

A formal written authorisation that controls high-risk tasks such as hot work, confined space entry, or isolation. It records the hazards, precautions, and authorisation before work starts and is closed out on completion.

A procedure for isolating energy sources and applying locks and tags so that equipment cannot be started or release stored energy during maintenance. Only the person who applied the lock removes it.

An enclosed or partly enclosed space with limited entry and exit, not designed for continuous occupancy, where hazardous atmospheres or engulfment may occur. Entry requires assessment, a permit, and standby support.

An unplanned event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting and investigating near misses helps prevent more serious incidents.

Any unplanned event or situation that caused or could have caused harm, including accidents and near misses. Incidents are reported, recorded, and investigated to identify root causes.

An unplanned event that results in actual injury, ill health, or damage to property or the environment. Accidents are a subset of incidents and must be reported and investigated.

A structured method, such as the five whys or fault tree analysis, used to find the underlying causes of an incident rather than blaming individuals. It leads to corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

An action taken to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity or incident so that it does not recur. It is tracked to completion and its effectiveness is reviewed.

The three elements needed for combustion: fuel, oxygen, and heat (ignition source). Removing any one element extinguishes a fire or prevents it from starting.

A portable device that discharges an extinguishing agent to put out small fires. Different classes of fire require different extinguishers, and users must be trained in the PASS technique.

A structured review of fire hazards, ignition sources, fuel loads, and the adequacy of detection, alarms, escape routes, and extinguishing equipment. It is recorded and reviewed regularly.

A documented set of procedures for responding to emergencies such as fire, spill, or medical crisis. It covers alarm activation, evacuation, assembly points, roles, and communication with external services.

A designated safe location where people gather after an evacuation so that they can be accounted for. It must be clearly marked, away from the building, and known to everyone on site.

A planned practice exercise that tests the emergency response plan, alarm system, escape routes, and assembly point. Drills are timed, evaluated, and followed by a debrief to improve preparedness.

Immediate, temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives. It aims to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions, with rescue breaths if trained, given to a person in cardiac arrest to maintain blood flow to the brain until advanced help arrives. The rate is 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

A portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in cardiac arrest. It gives voice prompts and is designed for use by trained lay responders.

A formal process of predicting the environmental effects of a proposed project before approval, and proposing mitigation measures. In Nigeria it is regulated under the EIA Act and administered by NESREA.

An aspect is an element of an organisation's activities, products, or services that interacts with the environment, such as emissions or waste. An impact is the resulting change to the environment, such as pollution.

A preferred order of waste handling: prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover energy, and dispose as a last resort. It guides decisions to minimise environmental harm and resource loss.

Separating waste at the point of generation into streams such as general, recyclable, hazardous, and clinical. Correct segregation prevents contamination, enables recycling, and reduces disposal risks.

Waste that is flammable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or infectious, and therefore poses a risk to health or the environment. It requires special labelling, storage, transport, and licensed disposal.

A structured framework of policies, procedures, responsibilities, and resources for managing health, safety, and environment risks. It follows a plan-do-check-act cycle and is often aligned with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

The shared values, attitudes, and behaviours of an organisation towards safety. A positive culture encourages reporting, learning, and personal responsibility rather than blame.

An approach that observes and reinforces safe behaviours and corrects unsafe acts through feedback and coaching. It complements engineering and administrative controls.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, established by the NESREA Act 2007 to enforce environmental standards and regulations in Nigeria. It works with other agencies on pollution control and waste management.

The body of laws, regulations, and standards that govern workplace health, safety, and environment in Nigeria, including the Factories Act, the Employee's Compensation Act, and NESREA regulations. Compliance is a legal duty.

A Nigerian law administered by NSITF that provides compensation to employees for work-related injuries, disabilities, and death, and requires employers to contribute to the scheme. It replaced the Workmen's Compensation Act.

Nigerian legislation that sets minimum requirements for workplace safety, health, and welfare in factories, including registration, guarding of machinery, ventilation, and first aid. It is enforced by factory inspectors.