COSH SO2 key terms

A ranked order of risk-reduction measures, from most to least effective: eliminate the hazard, substitute it, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls, then issue personal protective equipment. It guides which control to choose first.

A structured process of identifying hazards, judging how likely and how severe harm could be, and deciding whether existing controls are adequate. It is recorded and reviewed whenever work, people or equipment change.

The systematic search for anything with the potential to cause injury, ill health, damage or loss. It draws on walk-throughs, task analysis, incident records, safety data sheets and worker consultation before risks are evaluated.

The level of risk that remains after controls have been applied. It must be judged against the tolerability criteria set by the organisation and, where it stays high, further control or a stop-work decision is needed.

A formal written authorisation allowing specified high-risk work, such as hot work or confined space entry, under stated precautions, time limits and sign-off. It records that isolations and conditions were verified before work started.

A procedure for isolating energy sources and fitting locks and warning tags so equipment cannot be re-energised while people work on it. Only the person who fitted a lock should remove it.

Physically disconnecting or blocking all energy sources, including electricity, pressure, steam and stored energy, and proving the equipment is dead before work begins. It underpins safe maintenance and repair.

Clothing or equipment worn to reduce exposure, such as helmets, gloves, respirators and harnesses. It is the last line of defence, depends on correct fitting and use, and never replaces elimination or engineering control.

Devices worn to protect the wearer from airborne dust, fumes, vapours or oxygen deficiency. Selection depends on the contaminant and concentration, and tight-fitting types require face-fit testing and regular checks.

A standard document supplied with a hazardous chemical that lists its hazards, safe handling, exposure controls, first aid and emergency measures. It supports risk assessment and must be accessible to workers who use the substance.

The recorded evaluation of risks from hazardous substances at work, covering health effects, exposure routes, existing controls and further measures needed. It must be reviewed when substances, processes or exposure conditions change.

A benchmark concentration of an airborne substance in workplace air, usually averaged over a reference period, that should not be exceeded. It is used to judge whether controls are adequate and to design monitoring.

Planned, repeated checks on workers exposed to specific health risks, such as noise, vibration, dust or chemicals, to detect early signs of harm. Results feed back into control measures and may prompt redeployment.

Permanent damage to hearing caused by prolonged or sudden loud noise exposure. It is irreversible, so prevention relies on noise reduction, hearing protection zones, audiometry and training.

Vibration transmitted into the hands and arms by tools such as breakers, grinders and chainsaws. Regular exposure can cause vibration white finger and nerve damage, so exposure time and tool choice must be managed.

An enclosed or partly enclosed place where serious injury can arise from hazardous atmosphere, fire, explosion or engulfment, and where escape or rescue is difficult. Entry requires assessment, controls and emergency arrangements.

Work in any place where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury, including roofs, ladders and openings. It must be avoided where possible, then controlled using collective protection before personal fall arrest.

Equipment that stops a fall once it has begun, such as a full-body harness connected to a suitable anchor. It requires rescue arrangements, inspection and training because the user may be left suspended.

A check that scaffolding is stable, complete, properly tied and fitted with guardrails, toe boards and safe access before first use and at set intervals. Findings are recorded and defects made good before work continues.

A man-made cut, cavity or trench in the ground. It requires assessment of collapse, falling material, underground services, water and access hazards, with shoring, battering or boxes and daily inspection by a competent person.

The initial briefing that gives everyone entering a site the layout, hazards, rules, emergency arrangements and reporting routes before they start work. It is recorded and repeated for visitors and new phases.

A short, focused briefing delivered at the workplace on a specific hazard, task or recent lesson. It is a two-way conversation that refreshes awareness and records attendance for training evidence.

A document describing how a task will be carried out safely, in what sequence, with what controls, plant, people and supervision. It translates risk assessment findings into practical, workable instructions.

The document setting out how health and safety will be managed during the construction phase of a project, covering site rules, welfare, emergency arrangements and coordination between contractors.

Someone with the training, knowledge, experience and, where relevant, qualifications to perform a particular task safely and to recognise when it is beyond their ability. Appointment should match the task's risk.

A person or organisation with legal responsibilities for health and safety, such as an employer, self-employed worker, principal contractor or site occupier. Duties vary with the role and the level of control over the work.

A legal test balancing the risk against the cost, time and difficulty of reducing it. Where the risk is high, more effort is expected; grossly disproportionate measures are not required.

A structured process of identifying hazards, judging how likely and how severe harm could be, and deciding whether existing controls are adequate. It is recorded and reviewed whenever work, people or equipment change.

Basic provisions that protect health on site, such as drinking water, toilets, washing facilities, rest areas and somewhere to change or dry clothing. They must be available from the start of work.

The branch of practice concerned with preventing work-related ill health and fitting the job to the person. It covers exposure control, health surveillance, fitness for task and rehabilitation after injury or illness.

A planned, systematic examination of the workplace to check conditions, behaviour and controls against agreed standards. Findings are recorded, prioritised and followed up to confirm corrective action.

A structured list of items to verify during an inspection, helping ensure consistency and completeness. It should reflect site-specific hazards and record pass, fail and action points with dates.

The structured enquiry into an incident to establish what happened, why, and what must change to prevent recurrence. It gathers evidence promptly, separates cause from blame and records findings and actions.

A method for tracing an incident beyond the immediate action to the underlying management, design or organisational factors that allowed it. Techniques include the five whys and cause-and-effect diagrams.

An unplanned event that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting near misses reveals failing controls before someone is harmed and should be encouraged without blame.

A work-related death, specified injury, dangerous occurrence or over-seven-day absence that must be reported to the enforcing authority within set timescales. Records must be kept for the required period.

Documented evidence such as risk assessments, training logs, inspection reports, exposure monitoring and incident records. Records must be accurate, retrievable and kept for the legally required retention period.

A log showing who received which training, when, by whom, and the outcome or assessment. It demonstrates competence and helps identify refresher needs and gaps in coverage.

Arrangements for responding to fire, collapse, spillage, rescue or medical emergency, covering alarms, escape routes, assembly points, roles, equipment and liaison with emergency services. It is tested by drills.

A structured review of ignition sources, combustible materials, people at risk and fire precautions, leading to actions that reduce risk. It must be kept current and shared with those affected.

A trained person responsible for checking fire precautions, guiding evacuation, sweeping designated areas and reporting to the person in charge at the assembly point during an emergency.

Work involving flames, sparks or heat, such as welding, cutting or grinding. It needs a permit, removal or protection of combustibles, fire watch and a post-work check for smouldering material.