RRC Glossary

2 017 E D I T I O N
RRC GLOSSARY
RRC Glossary
-A-
A-Weighting
In the context of noise assessment, it is applied to the decibel scale to give a sound pressure
level expressed as dB(A). It converts the decibel value to take into account the sensitivity of the
human ear across a range of frequencies. It is the decibel value corrected for the human ear.
Abrasive
Harsh, irritant, corrosive; of a substance or material which wears away or grinds the surface of
something.
Absolute Duty
A legal duty that must be complied at all times and in all circumstances without regard to cost,
e.g. the duty on employers to conduct risk assessments (The Management of Health and Safety
at Work Regulations 1999, Reg. 3).
Absorption
The process in which a substance permeates or intercepts another, e.g. minerals absorbed from
contact with soil, nutrients absorbed by a tissue, radiation absorbed by atmospheric gases or
sound waves intercepted by sound-absorbing materials.
Absorption Devices
Remove pollutant gases by bringing them into contact with a solvent liquid (often water) – the
pollutants are absorbed by the liquid and removed from the air stream. A packed column is
often used.
Acceleration
A measure of the rate of change of velocity with time. It’s measured in m/s2.
Access
Access is a way in, a way out and a way through a workplace. It includes ascent and descent.
Accident
An unplanned, undesired event resulting in loss, death or injury, damage or delay.
Accountability
Being answerable to someone for something.
© RRC International
RRC Glossary
Accreditation
The process by which certification bodies have their processes assessed to see if they meet the
Regulatory Authority’s (or Accreditation Body’s) standards (in the UK, this is the United
Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)).
So, an individual organisation gets certification to a standard like OHSAS 18001; the certifying
body that awards that standard (e.g. LRQA) can do so because it has accreditation from UKAS.
Act of Parliament
A type of Statute Law, written and agreed by both houses of Parliament and which has received
the Royal Assent by the Monarch.
Active
Measures taken to prevent undesired events before they occur.
Active Fire Protection (AFP)

“Equipment, systems and methods, which, following initiation, may be used to control, mitigate
and extinguish fires.” (BS EN ISO 13702:1999)
Active Monitoring
Checking to ensure that health and safety standards are correct in the workplace before
accidents, incidents or ill health are caused.
Acute Effects
Effects that follow immediately, or shortly after, exposure to a high concentration of a
substance. The sufferer will normally recover once exposure to the causative agent is ended.
The term ‘acute’ can also be used to describe an injury such as a sprain or strain.
Acute Health Conditions

Are immediate effects which may be temporary or permanent. These could include the
immediate pulling of a muscle through incorrect lifting, or even a person being overcome by
carbon monoxide gas and becoming unconscious. Acute refers to the rate of onset of the
illness/injury, not the severity.
Acute Toxicity
A health hazard classification that describes the severe effects of category one chemicals which
require the lowest dose to cause a quick toxic response after ingestion, skin absorption or
inhalation.
RRC Glossary
Adequate Control
Under COSHH, adequate control of exposure to a substance hazardous to health means:
• applying the eight principles of good practice set out in Schedule 2A of COSHH;
• not exceeding the OEL for the substance (if there is one); and
• if the substance causes cancer, heritable genetic damage or asthma, reducing exposure to
as low as is reasonably practicable.
Administrative Controls
Controls that are based on procedures, such as safe systems of work and permits to work.
Adsorption
A process in which any material is attracted by and adhered to the surface of the ‘sorbent’. The
phenomenon is essentially a surface reaction as opposed to absorption, which involves the
complete encapsulation of a molecule which is then dissolved in a liquid droplet.
Advance Statement
A written statement saying how an individual would like to be treated if they were to become
too unwell to make decisions themselves.
Agency Worker
An individual who has a contract with a temporary work agency and who is supplied by that
agency to work temporarily under the supervision and direction of the hirer.
Aggregate
Any material mixed with cement to form concrete.
Air Emissions Standards

The permitted levels of pollutants emitted from an industrial site.
Air Monitoring
The sampling and measuring of pollutants in the workplace air.
Airborne Contaminant Monitoring

This covers sampling of substances in the air to determine the level of contamination. This
includes static sampling and personal sampling.
ALARP
It means you must be “well below the WEL”, not just under the limit. (See Workplace Exposure
Limit (WEL)).
RRC Glossary
Alcohol
An addictive, narcotic drug that significantly impairs the senses and reaction times, even at low
doses.
Ambient
Of the surrounding area or environment, e.g. ambient temperature or ambient noise levels.
Amplitude
1. (Noise) The maximum displacement of sound wave pressure (measure in Pa), which
equates to the ‘loudness’ or ‘volume’ of the noise.
2. (Vibration) The distance (in metres) from the point of rest to the point of maximum
displacement in either direction.
Anaerobic Conditions
Low oxygen levels.
Anaerobic Digestion
The breakdown of organic materials such as sludge by micro-organisms in the absence of
oxygen.
ANNEX VII
Substances in Annex VIII of the Water Framework Directive are ‘specific pollutants’ that have to
be identified by individual member states.
Annular Rim
The name given to the bottom rim of a storage tank.
Anxiety
“A feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.”
Appraisal Scheme
A formal means of placing value on achievement or effort. Generally carried out annually, with
the results potentially being used to determine the level of pay rise or a promotion.
Approval
An acknowledgment given by an approver (such as a regulator, classification society or insurer)
indicating satisfactory compliance with requirements and sanctioning the vessel for that
approved use/purpose. A certificate may be issued as documentary evidence of approval.
RRC Glossary
Approved Code of Practice (ACoP)

A document published by the HSE containing practical guidance for complying with statutory
provisions. Approved Codes of Practice have quasi-legal status – they cannot be directly
enforced but are used as evidence of compliance with a legal requirement. Duty holders do not,
therefore, have to follow the ACoP – if they have an alternative method then they are free to
adopt it, but the ACoP will be used as the exemplar of the standard to be achieved.
Aptitude
Talent, skill or ability to do something. An innate or acquired capacity.
Arc-eye
A painful eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as from that emitted
during electric arc welding from which the name derives. (Medical name: photokeratitis.)
Arson
The deliberate, malicious attempt to start a fire with the intention of causing damage.
Article
1. Any plant designed for use or operation (whether exclusively or not) by persons at work, or
who erect or install any article of fairground equipment and any article designed for use as
a component in any such plant or equipment.
2. The individual parts of a European Treaty, ILO Convention, UK Order in Council, etc. that
contain the specific legal requirement, e.g. Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005, which requires risk assessments to be performed.
Asbestos
A family of naturally occurring minerals found in serpentinite and other types of metamorphic
rock. When inhaled into the lungs, asbestos can lead to diseases such as lung cancer (see
asbestosis) and mesothelioma. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. Because
of its strength and resistance to heat, asbestos has been used for insulation, heat resistant
clothing, roofing and fire-proofing. The physical properties of the material also made it an ideal
additive to ease the manufacture and application of ceiling and wall finishes, tape joint
compounds, floor tiles and mastics. Although banned from general use in many countries,
asbestos is still used in gaskets, brake linings, roofing and other materials.
Asbestosis
A serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos
over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath and in severe cases
can be fatal.
RRC Glossary
Aspect
An aspect is defined in ISO 14001:2015 as being:
“element of an organisation’s activities or products or services that interacts or can interact with
the environment.”
Asphyxiant
A substance capable of reducing the level of oxygen in the body, interrupting breathing and
causing unconsciousness or death, e.g. carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Asphyxiation
A medical term meaning the stopping of the heartbeat due to an inability to acquire oxygen
over an extended period of time. Asphyxiation may have many causes, such as choking,
drowning or following prolonged exposure to a chemical asphyxiant or gas.
Asset
An item of equipment, or an area of production plant.
Asset Integrity
The ability of the equipment (asset) to operate as intended effectively and efficiently over its
entire lifespan whilst ensuring the health and safety of those exposed to it, including the
environment.
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)

In relation to respiratory protective equipment - RPE, the measure of the equipment’s ability to
protect the respiratory system; the ratio of the concentration of contaminant in the working
atmosphere to the measured concentration within the face-piece when the equipment is in use.
Asthma
A condition where the airways of a person’s lungs become irritated in response to a trigger,
constricting in size and producing excess mucus, making breathing difficult.
Asthmagen
A substance that is related to the development of asthma symptoms.
‘At Work’
The worker is carrying out the duties that are required by the employer. The worker can be
inside or outside the workplace. The term usually applies during work breaks and work-related
travel and, in some countries, would also apply to commuting.
RRC Glossary
ATEX
The name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive
atmospheres:
• Directive 99/92/EC (also known as ‘ATEX 137’ or the ‘ATEX Workplace Directive’)
legislates on minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of
workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. It has been transposed into UK law
as the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).
• Directive 2014/34/EU (also known as the ‘ATEX Equipment Directive’) concerns
equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It
has been transposed into UK law as the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for
Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016.
Attitude
A person’s point of view or set of beliefs; predisposition to react in a certain way to a given
situation.
Audiometry
A medical test that quantifies hearing performance across a range of frequencies in order to
detect problems with hearing, such as noise-induced hearing loss. It is appropriate for workers
exposed to high noise levels.
Audit Client
The person who requests the audit.
Audit Conclusions
The outcome of the audit after consideration of the audit findings.
Audit Criteria
Are used as a reference against which conformity is determined and may include applicable
policies, procedures, standards, laws and regulations, management system requirements,
contractual requirements or industry/business sector codes of conduct.
Audit Evidence
The evidence that is collected during an audit that is compared to the audit criteria.
Audit Findings
Results from evaluating the collected audit evidence against the audit criteria.
RRC Glossary
Audit Objectives
What the audit hopes to achieve, e.g. check conformance with ISO 14001 or evaluate
compliance with environmental law.
Audit Programme
One or more audits that are planned for a specific time and have a specific purpose.
Audit Scope
The boundaries of the audit these may be geographical (e.g. size or location), functional
(covering a specific department of an organisation) and time (e.g. night shift or day shift).
Audit Team
One or more auditors who carry out the audit; they may be supported by technical experts.
Auditee
The organisation or person(s) within the organisation that is being audited.
Auditing
Can be defined as: “The structured process of collecting independent information on the
efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and
drawing up plans for corrective action”. A shorter definition might be the: “systematic,
objective, critical evaluation of how well an organisation’s management system is performing by
examining evidence”.
Authorised Officer
Section 44 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 gives powers to authorised employees of a
Fire and Rescue Authority to deal with fires, road traffic accidents and other emergencies. It
defines an authorised officer as “an employee of a fire and rescue authority who is authorised in
writing by the authority” with the powers set out below.
Auto Ignition Temperature

The lowest temperature at which a substance or material will ignite spontaneously and burn
without the presence of a pilot source of ignition.
Autoclave
Equipment which uses high-pressure steam to sterilise material.
RRC Glossary
-B-
Bacteria
A large group of unicellular micro-organisms that can be found everywhere. Most are rendered
harmless by the body’s defences, while some are beneficial. Some, however, cause infectious
diseases such as cholera, anthrax, tuberculosis and leprosy. (Singular: ‘bacterium’.)
Baffle
A device, such as a plate, wall or screen, that serves as an obstruction to deflect the flow of
gases, sounds or light, e.g. a flow-directing panel inserted into vessels such as heat exchangers
and chemical reactors.
Banksman
A trained person who remains within view of a vehicle driver or crane operator at all times, and
gives signals to the driver to direct him safely (i.e. “Turn left”, “Slow down”, “Reverse”, etc.), at
the same time protecting people from the vehicle movement.
Bar Litre
A metric unit of energy used to measure the potential energy of gases under pressure. The
energy is calculated by multiplying the pressure (bar) by the volume (litres) of a pressure
system.
Battering
A technique whereby excavated materials are heaped in such a way as to slope inwards without
additional artificial support.
Behavioural Control
Training/instructing workers on how to work safely.
Bellows Pump
A pump for blowing air into and onto something else.
Benchmarking
The process of comparing one’s own practices and performance measures with those of other
organisations that display excellence and whom one may wish to emulate. It can also be done
against national or industry statistics.
RRC Glossary
Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO)

“A BPEO is the outcome of a systematic and consultative decision-making procedure, which
emphasises the protection and conservation of the environment across land, air and water. The
BPEO procedure establishes, for a given set of objectives, the option that provides the most
benefits or the least damage to the environment as a whole, at acceptable cost, in the long-term
as well as in the short-term.”
Binding Precedent
It means a precedent or an existing law that courts are bound to follow, e.g. a decision of a
higher court that a judge sitting in a lower court is obliged to follow.
Biocides
A chemical substance or microorganism used to kill organisms that are harmful to human or
animal health, or that cause damage to human activities. These harmful organisms include pests
(e.g. insects, rats or mice) and micro-organisms (e.g. moulds or bacteria).
Biodegradable
Generally organic material that naturally decays into its base components.
Biodiversity
Describes the variety of different types of plants, animals and other organisms on Earth. It
includes the variety of different species and genetic variation within species. For example, a
rainforest has a very high level of biodiversity, whereas very cold areas, such as the North Pole,
have a low level of biodiversity. The term may be used for different scales such as the
biodiversity within a localised area, region or continent.
Biological Aspects
From the bio-psychosocial model, it’s the aspect related to the physical and/or mental
condition of the individual. (See Psychological and Social Aspects)
Biological Monitoring
“The measurement and assessment of workplace agents or their metabolites (substances
formed when the body converts the chemical) in exposed workers. Measurements are made
either on samples of breath, urine or blood, or any combination of these.” (Source: COSHH
ACoP.)
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A laboratory procedure for determining the amount of oxygen needed by organisms to break
down organic materials in water.
Biomagnfification
The increase in bioaccumulated pollutants from the base of the food chain to the top.
RRC Glossary
Biosphere
The part of the Earth and its atmosphere in which living things are found.
Blowdown
The term commonly used to describe the removal of liquid content from process vessels and
equipment to reduce the likelihood of fires or explosions occurring.
Body Mass Index (BMI)

The individual’s body weight divided by the square of his or her height.
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE)

A serious explosion in which there is a sudden release of vapour owing to the failure of a
storage vessel that has been exposed to direct heating from a fire. A BLEVE can occur with both
flammable (e.g. LPG) and non-flammable (e.g. water) materials. The initial explosion may
generate a blast wave and missiles/shrapnel that can be thrown outwards for considerable
distances.
BPEO
“A BPEO is the outcome of a systematic and consultative decision-making procedure, which
emphasises the protection and conservation of the environment across land, air and water. The
BPEO procedure establishes, for a given set of objectives, the option that provides the most
benefits, or the least damage to the environment as a whole, at acceptable cost, in the long
term as well as in the short term.”
BS 4142
A standard that sets out a method for assessing industrial and commercial sound level against
the existing background sound level, to determine the likelihood of adverse impacts.
BS EN ISO 14001
Is a standalone, auditable, environmental management system standard for certification. A
general management framework approach is applied, and there are clear similarities with
HSG65 and ISO 9001, as well as OHSAS 18001.
Buddy
Usually a colleague working at the same level who gives support and helps with any practical
day-to-day issues or problems that arise.
RRC Glossary
Building Relations
The Building Regulations... exist principally to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience
of people in and around buildings, and the water and energy efficiency of buildings. The
Regulations apply to most new buildings and many alterations of existing buildings in England
and Wales, whether domestic, commercial or industrial. Source: www.communities. gov.uk
Bund
A secondary, impermeable container in which the primary container sits. Commonly used for
larger storage vessels, bunds typically consist of a wall surrounding the primary container, the
inside surfaces (and floor) all being rendered impermeable. The bund is sized to 110% of the
volume of the primary container.
Bund Double-Skinned Vessel

As an alternative to bunding, a tank may have an inner and an outer wall. In the event that one
is ruptured, the other will contain the contents.
Bursa
A small, fluid-filled sac which forms under the skin, usually over the joints and between tendons
and bones.
Bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa. Symptoms include pain and swelling in the affected body part.
Business Continuity Plan

Identifies the key business functions of an organisation and how to get them up and running
after a crisis, in addition to the role of individuals in an emergency.
Buttress
An inclined tube assembly anchored at one end (on the ground or other suitable point) and
fitted to the scaffold at the other, to widen the structure base and increase stability.
RRC Glossary
-C-
Canister
Box or case to contain a substance.
Cantilever
A beam anchored at only one end, which supports a load.
Carbon Pool
A reservoir (soil, oil) containing and capable of releasing carbon.
Carcinogen
Substances that have the ability to induce the growth of malignant cancer tumours.
They include:
• Halogenated compounds, such as vinyl chloride (angiosarcoma of blood vessels in the liver)
and tetrachloromethane (rat liver cancer).
• Nitro-compounds, including 4-nitrobiphenyl (prohibited by COSHH) and chrysoidine (an
azo dye).
• Aromatic amines, such as 2-napthylamine (bladder cancer) and benzidine or biphenyl-4, 4’-
diamine (bladder cancer).
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. mineral cutting oils (scrotal cancer) and
benzo(a)pyrene or 1, 2-benzpyrene (soots, tars, vehicle exhausts).
• Natural carcinogens, including aflatoxin B1 (animal carcinogen).
• Inorganic carcinogens, such as nickel, chromium, arsenic compounds (occupational lung
cancer) and asbestos (lung cancer and mesothelioma).
Benzene (leukaemia).
Cardiovascular
Relating to the heart and blood circulation.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A condition affecting the wrist, in which there is pressure on the median nerve, which supplies
feeling and movement to the hand. It is most common amongst those who perform repetitive
movements of the hand and wrist, such as when typing on a computer keyboard. Symptoms
include numbness, tingling, pain extending to the elbow, problems with fine finger movements
and loss of grip strength.
RRC Glossary
Carrier
Related to managing waste is the person transporting the waste.
Catalyst
Any agent which, when added in very small quantities, notably affects the rate of chemical
reaction without itself being consumed or undergoing a chemical change. Most catalysts
accelerate reactions, although some retard them (negative catalysts or inhibitors).
Catchment
An area that serves a river with rainwater. Every part of land where the rainfall drains to a single
river is in the same catchment. For this reason, hills and high ground are often the boundaries
between catchments - rain falling one side of the hill drains to one river; rain falling the other
side drains to another river.
CE Mark
A mark that shows that a product conforms with all EU legislation relevant to it.
Certification
The process by which a company wishing to move to, say, a safety management system based
on OHSAS 18001 gets certified, registered or approved to that standard.
Certification Body
An organisation such as the British Standards Institution (BSI) or (LRQA) Lloyd’s Register
Quality Assurance which carries out the certification process.
Chemical Health Hazards

Chemical health hazards may be divided by the level of toxicity (toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive,
irritant, dermatitic).
The hazardous properties of chemicals will often vary depending on their physical state:
• Liquids: with the potential for skin injuries caused by direct bodily contact with liquid acids
and alkalis due to the corrosive effect of these substances.
• Dusts: solid particles created by operations such as grinding or sieving of solid materials,
which can cause serious lung damage.
• Fumes: finely particulate solids created by condensation from a vapour, very often after a
metal has been converted to the molten state, such as lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and
magnesium which can give rise to an illness known as “metal fume fever”.
• Mists: consist of finely suspended droplets formed by condensation from a gas or the
atomising of a liquid or from aerosols. Can be created by industrial processes, such as
chromium plating or the charging of lead acid batteries.
RRC Glossary
• Vapours are the gaseous form of a solid or a liquid. Examples are organic solvent vapours;
and mercury, a particularly hazardous chemical that can vaporise at room temperature and
create a toxic atmosphere.
Chemical Oxygen Demand

Similar to Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), this is another laboratory procedure for
determining the amount of oxygen needed by organisms to break down organic materials in
water.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS)
Substances which contain carbon, fluorine and chlorine. These substances have been used
mainly as refrigerants and propellants, but are now in most cases prohibited. The chlorine atom
from these substances is long lived when released into the atmosphere and is involved in
reactions that deplete the ozone layer (see later in this element).
Chocks
Blocks or wedges used to prevent movement.
Chronic Health Conditions

A medical term describing a condition that takes longer to develop, such as cancer, asbestosis,
cumulative back injury and permanent hearing loss, as a result of long-term exposure.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD can cause coughing that produces
large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.
Chronic Toxicity
Describes a condition where the harmful effects of a toxic substance absorbed into the body
take a very long time to appear - months, or perhaps years, and result from absorption of small
quantities over a period of time.
Circuit Breaker
An electrical safety device that activates when excess current is detected either by a
temperature increase or an increased magnetic field.
Cirrhosis
Scarring of the liver and poor liver function – the final phase of chronic liver disease.
Civil Law
The branch of law concerned with the rights and duties of individuals and/or corporations. The
purpose of proceedings is to obtain a remedy (normally compensation for a personal injury
claim), not to punish. Civil actions are brought by the Claimant.
RRC Glossary
Clean Air Acts

Are a business tool for the
Client
A person or organisation that engages a contractor.
Climate
In the context of ‘Health and Safety Climate’, the psychological aspects of a safety culture –
how people feel; their attitudes and perceptions. These can be measure by climate surveys.
Close Call
See Near Miss.
Coefficient of Friction
Friction is “the resistance an object encounters in moving over another”. It is easier to drag an
object over ice than gravel. The reason for this is that the gravel exerts more frictional
resistance.
The coefficient of friction is a number which represents the friction between two surfaces.
Smooth surfaces have lower friction coefficients, rough surfaces have higher coefficients.
The frictional force is the force needed to push an object over a given surface. So a smooth
surface will require less “push” or force than a rough surface.
The formula that links the frictional force (F), coefficient of friction (μ) and weight (N– normal
reaction) is:
F=μN
So for a heavy object (N) a greater force (F) is required
to push it and the relationship between the two depends on the coefficient of friction (μ).
Cognitive
Relating to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment and reasoning.
Cold Smoke Seal

A plastic or foam strip that seals the gap between the door and frame at all times.
Combustible Materials
• Solid - capable of igniting and burning, such as wood or paper.
• Liquid - flash point above 37.8°C (100°F), but below 93.3°C (200°F).
• Gas - flammable gases readily form explosive mixtures with air, sometimes at very low
concentrations, depending on the explosive range for the substance.
RRC Glossary
Combustion
The process where oxygen and a fuel combine with a heat source, resulting in fire.
Commitment
A declared attachment to a doctrine or cause.
Common Law
The body of law based on previous judicial decisions.
Communication
“The transfer of information from one person to another with the information being
understood by both the sender and receiver.” (Koontz)
Competence
The ability to undertake responsibilities and to perform activities to a recognised standard on a
regular basis... a combination of practical and thinking skills, experience and knowledge. (Source:
HSE12.)
Competent Authority
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency which jointly enforce the
COMAH Regulations.
Competent Person
Relating to construction, any person who has adequate qualifications (such as suitable training
and sufficient knowledge, experience and skill) to ensure the construction work is carried out
safely. Some national authorities may define what specific qualifications must be attained to be
‘competent’, and what duties may be assigned to them.
Compliance Obligations
These are legal requirements that an organisation must comply with or another requirement
that an organisation has chosen to or must comply with (such as agreements with non-
governmental organisations or public authorities, and compliance with voluntary codes of
practice).
Condensation
A change of physical state from gas to liquid.
Conductor
A substance with low resistance that allows electricity to flow through it (e.g. copper).
RRC Glossary
Confined Space
Defined in the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 as “any place, including any chamber, tank,
vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its
enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk”.
Confined Vapour Cloud Explosion

The ignition of a flammable vapour under conditions of confinement, such as in a process vessel
or building. The resulting pressure rise may rupture the container. Only small amounts of
flammable gas/vapour are needed. Damage caused by this type of explosion may initiate
secondary explosions.
Conformity
Fulfilment of a requirement.
Connivance
Is a more indirect agreement to unlawful acts by another (i.e. ‘turning a blind eye’).
Consent
It generally means agreeing to a course of action.
Consignee
Person who receives the hazardous waste.
Consignor
Person who produces the hazardous waste.
Control System
‘A system or device which responds to input signals and generates an output signal which causes
the equipment under control to operate in a particular manner’.
The input signals may be:
• Made by an operator via a manual control.
• From the equipment itself, e.g. from automatic sensors or protection devices (photo-
electric guards, guard interlock devices, speed limiters etc.).
Signals from the equipment may also include information (feedback) on the condition of the
equipment and its response (position, whether it is running, speed, etc.).
Construction Phase Plan

The health and safety management plan for the construction phase of the project.
RRC Glossary
Construction Work
Terms used for different types of construction work include:
• Building works – the erection or extension of a building.
• Renovation – the process of improving a structure.
• Alteration – change or modification to a structure.
• Maintenance of existing premises (occupied or unoccupied) – keeping the premises in
working order and preventing deterioration.
• Civil engineering – design, construction and maintenance of works such as bridges, roads,
canals, dams and buildings.
• Works of engineering construction – the construction, structural alteration, repair,
maintenance or demolition of a dock, harbour, inland navigation works, tunnel, bridge,
viaduct, water-works, reservoir, pipeline, aqueduct, sewer, sewage works or gasholder.
• Demolition – dismantling or pulling down of a building or structure.
Constructive Dismissal
A form of dismissal from employment where the employee terminates the contract of
employment by resigning due to the employer’s conduct.
Consultation
The two-way exchange of information between parties, in this case between employer and
worker. This is far more effective than the one-way exchange that we see when people are
simply ‘informed’.
Continual Improvement
Recurring activity to enhance performance. Enhancing performance is related to the use of the
EMS to improve environmental performance consistent with the environmental policy.
Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM)

Is measurements taken automatically, with few if any gaps in the data produced.
Measurement can be carried out in situ or the sample gas can be extracted and measured
remotely on an instrument permanently located elsewhere.
CEM is also referred to as Automatic Monitoring Systems (AMS).
Contract
An agreement between two or more parties, whether orally or in writing, that has the intention
of creating legal relations.
RRC Glossary
Contractor
Person or organisation who is hired to carry out work on behalf of a client but not under the
client’s direct supervision and control. The client usually identifies the job to be done but not
the method of work and the client relies on the specialist skills of the contractor. A contractor
often provides their own equipment, e.g. an electrician contracted to re-wire a building uses his
skills to determine how the job is carried out and provides his tools.
Contravention
Breach of the law or rule; usually a breach of Regulations.
Contributory Negligence
A partial defence against a civil claim. The court considers the degree to which the claimant was
responsible for his own injuries and reduces the amount of compensation accordingly. Thus if
the court decides that the claimant was 80% to blame for his injuries, his compensation
payment will be reduced by 80%.
Control Strategies
These are engineering or personal protection measures. These measures or strategies are the
most often used, although substitution with a harmless or less hazardous substance is the
preferred option. The hierarchy of control measures available to prevent exposure to
substances hazardous to health includes substitution with less toxic substances; isolation or
enclosure of process; Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV); general ventilation; Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE); controlled exposure; hygiene measures.
Personal protective equipment is the last line of defence against substances hazardous to health.
It is unacceptable to require employees to be encumbered by PPE when it is the process itself
which should be enclosed, or the hazardous substance which should be eliminated by
substitution.
Control System
A system or device that responds to input signals and generates an output signal which causes
the equipment under control to operate in a particular manner. (PUWER 1998).
Controlled Waters
A term appearing in Section 104 of the Water Resources Act 1991 as those waters for which
the Environment Agency/Natural Resources Wales has a duty to protect. The definition of
controlled waters is wide and includes the following bodies of water:
• Relevant territorial waters: that part of territorial waters which extends three nautical miles
seaward from the base lines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
RRC Glossary
• Coastal waters: waters landward of the base lines to the high-water limit and to the
freshwater limits of any rivers.
• Inland freshwaters: any river or other watercourse above the freshwater limit and any lake
or pond that discharges directly or indirectly into such a watercourse.
This definition includes groundwater, as groundwater is part of the water cycle and is
interconnected with the surface water system.
Corporate Governance
The system by which organisations are directed and controlled by their board of directors and
includes the making of broad strategic decisions that affect the direction of the organisation. It
is on a higher level than management, which relates to the regular decisions and subsequent
actions needed to effectively run the business.
Corrosive
Describes substances that may destroy living tissues on contact. Corrosive substances include
acids and alkalis. Acids include sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acids.
Alkalis include sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash). All
corrosive chemicals can produce, under appropriate conditions, damaging corrosive vapours.
Injury may be caused through:

• Contact with the Skin and Eyes
Chemical reactions with the fatty tissue of the skin can result in chemical burns while
gases, vapours, mists, aerosols or droplets may contact the cornea of the eye and the
irritant or corrosive may cause eye damage.
• Inhalation
The respiratory system is particularly vulnerable in corrosive and toxic atmospheres. Any
inhaled substance will contaminate the nose, throat and mouth and further down the
respiratory tract, depending on the extent of the exposure. The extent to which gases,
vapours and mists cause problems on inhalation depends upon their solubility and
irritant properties.
• Ingestion
Risk of injury by the accidental swallowing of chemicals is a hazard in laboratory operations
where careless manual pipetting of chemicals can be very dangerous, due to the possibility
of swallowing materials, inhaling vapours or failing to wash hands before eating meals,
smoking or drinking, or from airborne dusts getting into the mouth and being swallowed.
In the case of ingestion, a much higher concentration of chemical is usually required than
for injury by inhalation. Ingested chemicals are absorbed in the digestive tract and pass
through the liver where many de-oxifying mechanisms operate.
RRC Glossary
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Seeks to compare the monetary value of benefits with the monetary value of costs.
Benefit = anything that increases human well-being.
Cost = anything that decreases human well-being.
Coupling and Uncoupling

Coupling and uncoupling is simply transport industry terminology for connecting
(coupling) and disconnecting (uncoupling) a truck to/from a trailer. It introduces hazards not
present for ‘solid’ trucks which don’t require this type of connection.
Cowls
Covers for chimneys.
Criminal Law
This is concerned with offences against the State - i.e. crimes such as murder, manslaughter,
robbery, etc. The more serious criminal cases are dealt with by a judge and jury in a Crown
Court; less serious offences (the overwhelming majority) are dealt with by Magistrates. The two
parties are the prosecution and the defendant. The prosecution is conducted on behalf of the
Crown. If the defendant is found guilty, he will be punished. If he is not proved guilty, he is
acquitted.
Criminal Liability
Individuals’ responsibilities as set out by law and reinforced by penalties imposed by the criminal
courts.
Critical Temperature
The temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied regardless of the amount of pressure
applied.
Culture
The product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns
of behaviour that determine commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisation’s
health and safety management. (Source: HSE)
Cumulative Trauma Disorder

See Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD).
RRC Glossary
-D-
Damages
In civil law, the amount of money (compensation) awarded by a court to a successful claimant,
in health and safety cases, for personal injury sustained by the claimant. It can be either
‘General’ or ‘Special’.
Dampers
Devices for diminishing the level of vibration or noise.
Danger
Exposure or vulnerability to harm or risk.
Dangerous Occurrence
Events which do not necessarily result in a reportable injury, but have the potential to cause
significant harm. They are listed in Schedule 2 to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and
Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.
Dangerous Parts of Machinery

The term ‘dangerous part’ has been established in health and safety law through judicial
decisions. In practice, this means that if a piece of work equipment could cause injury if it is
being used in a foreseeable way, it can be considered a dangerous part. (Source: PUWER ACoP,
para 255)
Dangerous Substances
Any substance used or present at work that could, if not properly controlled, cause harm to
people as a result of fire or explosion.
Data Sheets
See ‘Material Safety Data Sheets’.
dB(A)
Noise is measured in decibels (dB). The human ear is, however, more sensitive at the
frequencies of 1 kHz to 4 kHz. When the noise is measured, the equipment is adjusted to best
represent the way the human ear hears it (dB(A)).
Deconstruction
Often also referred to as ‘dismantling’, is the taking down of all, or a substantial part, of a
structure (often for re-use).
RRC Glossary
Deliberate Dropping
In demolition refers to deliberate pulling down or knocking over of a structure (e.g. knocking a
wall over with a digger bucket).
Demolition
Is the deliberate pulling down, destruction or taking apart of a structure, or a substantial part of
a structure (usually not for re-use).
Depression
“Is when you have feelings of extreme sadness, despair or inadequacy that last for a long time.”
Dermatitis
A skin disease in which the skin’s surface protective layer is damaged, leading to
redness/swelling of hands and fingers, cracking of skin and blisters on hands/fingers,
flaking/scaling of skin and itching of hands/fingers with cracks.
Bad cases can cause absence from work and the condition, in its chronic form, may be
reportable under national or local regulations.
Derricks
Fixed frameworks or towers for hoisting or lifting materials.
Diffuse Sources
Uncontrolled discharges such as run-off of fertilisers, pesticides, contaminants from old landfills
or contaminated land, and vehicle exhausts.
Dilution
The process or act of reducing the concentration of a substance by adding liquid such as water
or by increasing the proportion of a non-harmful gas such as air in a toxic gas cloud.
Dilution Ventilation
It operates by diluting the contaminant concentration to an acceptable level. This is achieved by
efficiently changing all of the air in a workplace over a given period of time, i.e. air changes per
hour.
Directives
See European (EU) Directives.
Dismantling
The taking down of all, or a substantial part, of a structure (often for re-use).
RRC Glossary
Dismissal
Legally, dismissal from employment occurs when the:
• Employer terminates the employee’s contract, with or without notice.
• Contract is terminated by the employee, who resigns because of the employer’s behaviour
- known as constructive dismissal.
Dispersion Models
Describe how pollutants are spread and mixed in the atmosphere. Mathematical procedures are
used to calculate pollutant concentrations based on emission rates (mass of pollutant emitted
over time) and dilution rates (the volume of surrounding air into which the pollutant is being
mixed, per unit of time).
Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Any alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process involved. (Source:
ACoP to the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.)
Domestic Abuse
Physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-
type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Dose
The amount per unit body mass of toxic substance to which the organism is exposed.
Dose/Response Relationships
Describes the change in effect on a test subject caused by differing levels of exposure to a
substance over a certain amount of time.
Dosimeter
A measuring device used to assess an individual’s exposure to a hazard in the environment over
a period of time, e.g. a noise dosimeter or a radiation dosimeter.
Double-Barrelled Action
A term referring to a civil action in which the claim is brought simultaneously on two
independent fronts. The claimant will typically sue in both negligence (breach of the common
law duty of care resulting in loss) and Breach of Statutory Duty (breach of an employer’s
statutory duty of care). In effect, this enables the claimant to make two separate and
independent arguments, only one of which needs to succeed for damages to be awarded.
RRC Glossary
Double Block and Blood

The process of isolating a chemical or process line by closing and locking, or tagging two inline
valves and opening a drain/vent line between them. This ensures that any leaks are to a safe
location and not the open end of the line where work is carried out.
Double Insulation
Instead of earthing, appliances can be made with double insulation.
Double insulation protects the user of the appliance from an electrical shock by preventing any
possibility of the external casing becoming live, thus eliminating the need for an earth
connection.
First insulation: insulating electrical cable from the internal component of the appliance.
Second insulation: insulating internal metal part which could become live from the external
casing.
Double-Skinned Vessel
As an alternative to bunding a tank may have an inner and an outer wall. In the event that one is
ruptured the other will contain the contents.
Downstream Oil and Gas Industry

Activities associated with refining, storage, distribution and sale of oil and gas products, e.g.
petrol.
Drip Tray
A simple tray placed under storage containers to collect minor leaks and spills.
Drive Shaft
A device that conveys the power from the mobile work equipment to any work equipment
connected to it. In agriculture, these devices are known as power take-off shafts.
Drug
A very broad term applied to both prescription drugs (strong painkillers) and controlled drugs
(illegal drugs such as cocaine). Some prescription drugs and most controlled drugs are addictive.
Duckboards
Planking to walk over a trench or ditch.
RRC Glossary
Ductility
A ductile material has the capacity to deform permanently (e.g. stretch, bend, or spread) in
response to stress. Most common steels, for example, are quite ductile and hence can
accommodate local stress concentrations. Brittle materials, such as glass, cannot accommodate
concentrations of stress because they lack ductility, and therefore fracture easily. When a
material specimen is stressed, it deforms elastically at first; above a certain deformation, called
the elastic limit, deformation becomes permanent.
Ductile fracture or failure is a type of materials failure which is characterised by extensive
deformation or ‘necking’. This usually occurs prior to the actual fracture. The term ‘ductile
rupture’ refers to the failure of highly ductile materials. In such cases, materials pull apart instead
of cracking. In ductile fracture, there is absorption of massive amounts of energy and slow
propagation before the fracture occurs.
Dust
May consist of any size or shape of particle, crystalline or amorphous. Particle sizes capable of
inhalation are up to 10 microns; particle sizes of fewer than 7 microns are capable of
penetrating lung tissue.
Duty of Care
In English Common Law, this is the duty owed by one party to another, the nature of which is to
take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to prevent injury, damage or loss. The
duty of care owed by employers to their employees is described in the case of Wilsons and
Clyde Coal Co v English, wherein it was said that the employer is obliged to ensure that
employees are provided with:
• Competent and safety-conscious co-workers.

• A safe system of work.
• Safe plant and equipment.
• A safe place of work.
RRC Glossary
-E-
Ear Protection
Personal protective equipment - hearing protection against excess workplace noise; ear
defenders, usually earplugs (internal) or ear muffs (external).
Earthing
Connection of the exposed conductive parts of an installation to the main earthing terminal of
that installation.
An example of earthing is where the metallic outer case of an appliance is connected by the
circuit protective conductor to the means of earthing, providing a safe path for fault or high
leakage/high protective conductor currents.
Equipotential bonding: electrical connection maintaining exposed conductive parts and other
conductive parts at substantially the same potential.
There are two types of equipotential bonding conductor:
• Main protective bonding conductor: used to connect conductive parts such as a metallic
water pipe to the main earthing terminal.
• Supplementary bonding conductors: used to supplement fault protection by maintaining
exposed conductive parts and other conductive parts at substantially the same potential;
such as the connection of all exposed conductive parts and conductive parts that can be
touched by employees in a food-processing facility.
Ecological Assessment
Identification and assessment of the plants and animals and the environment within which they
live in an area potentially affected by development.
Ecosystem
A community of interdependent organisms, and the physical and chemical environment they
inhabit. Examples of ecosystems (or habitats) include estuaries, woodlands, rivers, moorlands
and coral reefs.
Ecotoxic
Generally taken to mean ‘damaging to the environment’, although it is a general term and does
not account for levels of toxicity, e.g. very toxic or toxic. Nor does it account for the sensitivity
of specific species or ecosystems, e.g. an ecotoxic substance may be very toxic to one species
but have little if any harmful effect on another.
RRC Glossary
Ecotoxicology
The study of how chemicals affect the environment and the organisms living in it.
Egress
Way out of a workplace. It includes ascent and descent.
EH40
An HSE guidance note in which are detailed the allowable exposure limits for airborne
contaminants.
Electricity
A form of energy associated with the flow of charged particles or electrons through a
conductor (usually a wire).
Electrolyte
A liquid that contains charged particles called ions that enable it to conduct electricity.
Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP)

Is a particulate and droplet control device which uses electrical forces to remove particles from
a dust-laden air stream.
Elements of Structure
Defined in Appendix E to Approved Document B as:
• A member forming part of the structural frame of a building or any other beam or column.
• A load-bearing wall or load-bearing part of a wall.
• A floor.
• A gallery - a floor which is less than one-half of the area of the space into which it projects.
• An external wall.
• A compartment wall - a fire-resisting wall (or floor) used to separate one fire compartment
from another.
Elimination
Removing a specific workplace safety hazard.
RRC Glossary
EMAS
1. Acronym for ‘Employment Medical Advisory Service’.
2. Acronym for the ‘Eco-Management and Audit Scheme’ (established by EC Regulation

1221/2009), a voluntary initiative that helps businesses to make savings by taking a positive
approach to managing their impact on the environment and by following a set of
harmonised principles, established throughout the EU. It requires participating
organisations to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS must
meet the requirements of the international standard BS EN ISO 14001.
Emergency Action Code (EAC)

A code used in the UK instead of the HIN. It communicates emergency information to fire-
fighters.
Emergency Control Centre (ECC)

An on-site area or building that is in a safe place and is the hub of the emergency response
operations, run by the Main Controller. It is fitted out with communications equipment (radios,
telephones), site plans, site information, etc.
Emergency Lighting
Standard lighting that comes on automatically when power fails to allow work to continue (e.g.
in an operating theatre).
Emergency Shut Down (ESD)

This is a safety system designed to operate quickly to minimise consequences in the event of an
emergency. The systems may rely on different types of devices to effect shutdown. An example
is a Remotely Operated Shut-Off Valve (ROSOV), described earlier in this element.
Emergency Team
Includes all those who have responsibilities for response during an emergency situation. It will,
for example, include the Emergency Response Team and members of senior management.
Emissions Trading
Works on the principle that companies are given allowances calculated per ‘tonne of carbon
dioxide equivalent’ they emit. Emissions trading allows companies to emit above their allocation
by purchasing allowances from a market. If a company emits below its allocation it can sell
surplus allowances.
RRC Glossary
Employee
A person who works under a contract of employment. The contract may be express or implied
and, if express, may be verbal or in writing. (Source: s53 HSWA.) Employees are also usually told
“what to do” and “how to do it” by their employer and provided with equipment to do the
work.
Employer
A person, business, firm, etc. that employs workers.
Endothermic Reaction
A chemical reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings.
Enforcement
Order forcing someone to do or not do something.
Enforcement Agencies
Health and safety law is enforced by inspectors appointed under Section 20 of HSWA and
authorised by written warrant from the enforcing authority. Enforcing agencies include:
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - factories, agricultural, nuclear installations, offshore,
railways, etc. inspectorates.
• Local authorities - principally through their environmental health departments - service
industries, shops, offices, etc.
• Fire authorities - for enforcement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Environment Agency - integrated pollution control under environmental protection
legislation and inspection under COMAH99.
(See also Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices.)
Engineering Control
A risk control measure that is implemented through the introduction of a ‘technical’ or
‘engineered’ solution, e.g. guards, barriers, acoustic booths, extraction systems, etc.
Environment
The air, land and water.
The environment is the air, land and water, which are both close to where we live and work
(local), and beyond (regional or global).
RRC Glossary
Environmental Aspect
Any element of an organisation's activities, products or services that can interact with the
environment.
Environmental Audit
Is an in-depth, systematic, critical investigation into all aspects of environmental management. It
needs to include management systems, policy, attitudes, training and practice.
Environmental Conditions
State or characteristic of the environment at a set point in time.
Environmental Culture
The way that all people within an organisation think and feel about the environment and how
this translates into behaviour. It can be defined as the shared attitudes, values, beliefs and
behaviours relating to the environment.
Environmental Hazard
A property or situation, which, in particular circumstances, could lead to harm.
Environmental Impact
Any change in the environment whether adverse or beneficial resulting from the aspect.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

As defined in planning law is an assessment of the impacts of a specified major industrial or civil
engineering project on the environment as a whole. It is undertaken during the planning phase
of the project.
Environmental Information
Includes any measure or activity likely to affect, or affecting the environment, measures
designed to protect the environment, emissions, discharges and other releases, cost-benefit and
economic analyses and the state of human health and safety. Information should only be
withheld if the benefit of doing so outweighs the public interest in the information.
Environmental Management
An all-embracing term used to describe the management of all the aspects that should be
considered as part of the overall management of the environmental aspects of a company.
RRC Glossary
Environmental Management System (EMS)

Consists of policies and procedures to ensure that environmental hazards are appropriately
controlled or prevented allowing for continual improvements in environmental performance.
Most EMSs and other business management systems are based on the concept of Plan-Do-
Check-Act.
Environmental Media
Air, land and water.
Environmental Objectives
Objectives are set by the organisation consistent with the environmental policy. They may
apply to various levels such as strategic, organisation wide or project.
Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIS)

Are a business tool for the measurement of environmental performance. They should
be quantifiable metrics that identify the environmental performance of a business, e.g. tonnes
of waste sent to landfill per tonne of product produced.
Environmental Policy
“Intentions and direction of an organisation related to environmental performance as formally
expressed by its top management.” (ISO 14001)
Environmental Statement (ES)

A document or series of documents assessing the likely environmental impact of a development
proposal and the significance of the effects arising from its impact.
Epidemiology
The study of the patterns of ill-health in populations.
Ergonomics
The study of the relationship between the worker, the work that they are doing and the
environment in which they are doing it, with the objective of improving their comfort, safety
and productivity.
Escape Distance
The actual distance to be travelled by a person from any point within the floor area to the
nearest storey exit, having regard to the layout of walls, partitions and fittings.
RRC Glossary
Escape Lighting
Lighting that comes on automatically - not to the same standard as normal lighting – to
illuminate an escape route.
European (EU) Directives

Directives are legal instruments from the EU, which are binding on all member states as to the
objectives to be achieved. The method for achieving the objectives set out in the Directive is
left to individual Member States to decide, thus giving Member States a certain amount of
flexibility in deciding the form and content of the implementing law.
European (EU) Regulations

Regulations are legal instruments from the EU, which apply directly to Member States. There is
no need for Member States to write laws to implement the Regulations, since the Regulations
apply directly.
European (EU) Treaties

A Treaty is a formally concluded and ratified agreement between Member States. Treaties are
primary EU legislation and are not subject to challenge.
Eutrophication
Excessive plant growth in water caused by the addition of nutrients and resulting in a depletion
of oxygen and water quality in the watercourse.
Evaluation
The decision-making process whereby we decide, on the basis of the risk we have estimated, as
to whether it is acceptable or otherwise.
Event Tree
A graphical representation of the logic model that identifies and quantifies the possible
outcomes following an initiating event.
Ex Officio
A member of a board, committee or similar body, who is a member of that body by virtue of
holding another office.
Exothermic Reaction
A chemical reaction that releases energy.
Expectant Mother
A pregnant woman.
RRC Glossary
Explosion
A sudden and violent release of energy, causing a pressure blast wave. Usually it is the result, not
the cause, of a sudden release of gas under high pressure, but the presence of gas is not
necessary for an explosion.
Exposure Action Value

A noise exposure level at which employers are required to take certain steps to reduce the
harmful effects of noise on hearing.
In UK legislation, for example:
• The lower exposure action value is a daily or weekly average noise exposure level of 80dB,
at which the employer has to provide information and training and make hearing
protection available.
• The upper exposure action value is set at a daily or weekly average noise exposure of 85dB,
above which the employer has to take measures to reduce noise exposure and require the
use of hearing protection if the noise cannot be controlled by these measures.
RRC Glossary
-F-
Fabric Filters
Remove dust from a gas stream by passing through a fabric. The fabric must allow air to pass
through it and remove the dust particles from the air.
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

An analytical hazard identification technique, best employed at the design and development
stages of a new process, but could also be used to systematically examine a process already in
operation or as a source of background information when investigating an accident. It can be
used for a wide range of engineering situations. The purpose of the analysis is to explore the
effect of failures or malfunctions of individual components within a system. Basically we ask and
answer the question, “If this part fails in this manner, what will be the result?”
Fall Arrest Equipment

Designed to catch you if you do fall.
Fall Restraint Equipment

Designed to prevent falls happening.
FARSI
A model for Performance Standards, which can be described in terms of its functionality,
availability, reliability, survivability and interdependency (and usually abbreviated to ‘FARSI’).
Fault
Is a current with little or no resistance, such as an earth leak.
Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

A top-down, or deductive, assessment technique, presented in the form of a diagram using logic
gates to describe the relationship between a ‘top event’ and its root causes. Fault trees can be
used proactively as part of a detailed risk analysis, or reactively as an accident investigation tool.
They can also be quantified such that it becomes possible to work out the probability of
occurrence of a particular event.
Fauna
Animal life.
RRC Glossary
Federal Government
Formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces, merge together in a
federation, surrendering their individual sovereignty and many powers to the central
government while retaining or reserving other limited powers. Examples: United States of
America, Canada, Australia and India.
Federal Law
Law created by the federal government of a nation.
Fermentation
Slow decomposition of organic substances (i.e. vegetable matter) due to action of micro-
organisms or enzymes.
Fibres
Are solid particles with an increased aspect ratio (the ratio of length to width). Fibres have
special properties due to their ability to be suspended in the air just like dusts and other
aerosols.
Fibrillation
A term used to describe the rapid, irregular and unsynchronised contraction of muscle fibres.
Often used in connection with heart failure (see Ventricular Fibrillation).
Fire
A combustion reaction in which fuel is converted to combustion products (smoke, fumes,
gases) in the presence of oxygen. It is a rapid, self-sustaining gas phase oxidation process that
produces heat and light. When combustion takes place in solids or liquids, it is the vapours given
off which ignite rather than the solid or liquid itself.
Fire Alarm Systems

A system, known to all in the organisation, that is used to raise the alarm in the event of a fire or
other similar emergency. The basic ‘fire alarm system’ is the human voice, which may be all that
is needed in very small workplaces. More sophisticated systems range from a simple hand bell to
a sophisticated electronically actuated system linked to a fire station control room. Systems are
commonly linked to heat and/or smoke detection systems, together with in-situ sprinkler
systems, the detection system actuating the audible alarm and sprinkler systems.
Fire Authority
A supervisory body that ensures that a local Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) performs efficiently
and in the best interest of the public and community it serves. One of its main functions is to
collect funding from each local council. The Fire Authority is responsible for enforcing the
requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
RRC Glossary
Fire Classification
Fires are normally classified into categories according to the fuel type and means of extinction.
The classifications of fire are:
• Class A - involve solid materials, normally of an organic nature, in which the combustion
occurs with the formation of glowing embers, e.g. wood, paper, coal and natural fibres.
Water applied as a jet or spray is the most effective means of extinction.
• Class B - involve liquids and liquefiable solids. Foam is the most effective extinguishing
agent on such fires.
• Class C - involve gases or liquefied gases, e.g. methane, propane and butane. Both foam and
dry powder can be used on small liquefied gas spillage fires, particularly when backed up by
water to cool the leaking container.
• Class D - involve metals, e.g. magnesium and aluminium. They can only be extinguished by
the use of specialised dry powders, which form a crust over the metal and thus exclude
oxygen.
• Class F - cover fat fires, which are generally extinguished using foam or specially adapted
water spray nozzles.
• Electrical or ‘Class E’, although this is not a formal classification. ‘Class E’ relates to fires in
electrical equipment, which are most effectively tackled by use of carbon dioxide
extinguishers.
Fire Detection
Fire can be detected in one of three main ways:
• By sensing heat - actual temperature or the rate of temperature rise.

• By detecting the presence of smoke.
• By detecting the presence of flame.
Fire Extinction
The process of putting a fire out. It can be achieved by one or more of the following:
• Starvation - a reduction in the concentration of the fuel.

• Smothering - a reduction in the concentration of oxygen.
• Cooling - a reduction in the rate of energy input into the fire.
Fire Extinguishers
Appliances containing an extinguishing medium and designed to be carried and operated by
hand.
RRC Glossary
Fire Instructions
A notice informing people of the action they should take on either hearing a fire alarm or
discovering a fire.
Fire Main
A water supply pipe installed specifically for fire-fighting purposes within a building. The term
‘rising’ fire main (or ‘riser’) is used where it serves floors above ground level.
Fire Marshals/Wardens
Fire marshals (often called ‘fire wardens’) have specific responsibilities in a fire situation.
“Their role may include:
• Helping those on the premises to leave.
• Checking the premises to ensure everyone has left.
• Using fire-fighting equipment, if safe to do so.
• Liaising with the fire and rescue service on arrival.
• Shutting down vital or dangerous equipment.
• Performing a supervisory/managing role in any fire situation.”
UK Department for Communities and Local Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Offices
and Shops.
(Source: Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Offices and Shops, UK Department for Communities and
Local Government, 2006 (www.gov. uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_
data/file/14881/fsra-offices-shops.pdf))
Fire Point
The lowest temperature at which the heat from combustion of a burning vapour is capable of
producing sufficient vapour to sustain combustion.
Fire Resistance
The ability of structural elements of buildings, such as a plastered nine-inch brick wall or a cavity
partition wall, to withstand fire. Fire resistance of structural elements is expressed by the
notional period of fire resistance for which a structural element is capable of withstanding fire
under specified test conditions (e.g. a 30-minute or 60-minute fire door).
Fire Risk Assessment

An organised and methodical look at the premises, the activities carried out there and the
likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.
Fire Safety Log Book

A record incorporating fire safety procedures, legal requirements, approved codes, guidance
and management systems for fire prevention maintained by an organisation.
RRC Glossary
Fire Spread Control

Fire spread control in buildings implies preventing the formation of a mixture of combustible
materials and air within the flammable limits. Fire can spread by conduction, convection,
radiation or direct burning. Measures to prevent fire spread include strict control over
flammable liquids and gases, with the installation of inert gas blanketing systems in high-risk
situations. Other measures include strict control over ignition sources, construction elements,
fire ventilation and compartmentalisation.
Fire Stopping
A firestop is a fire protection system made of various components used to seal openings and
joints in fire-resistance rated wall or floor assemblies. For penetrating cables, these can also be
called Multi Cable Transits (MCTs).
Fire Tetrahedron
A development of the ‘fire triangle’, described as a triangular-based pyramid having four sides
representing:
• Oxygen, or air.
• A fuel or combustible substance.
• A source of energy.
• The chemical chain reaction by which the fire is sustained.
The removal of one of the above four elements should result in a combustion reaction stopping
or failing to take place.
Fire Ventilation
A technique designed to prevent and control fire spread in a building by directing products of
combustion through the use of purpose-designed ventilators. Ventilators take the form of
opening doors and strategically located pivoted louvres that operate individually when a fire
starts.
Venting systems also control the mushrooming process whereby fire can spread across
horizontal surfaces, such as ceilings and inner roofs, resulting in the development of secondary
fires from falling products of combustion.
Fire Water
Is run-off of liquids from a fire. It has the potential to be contaminated with a cocktail of
combustion products, chemicals and possibly firefighting foams, all of which can do harm to
surface waters or sewerage systems.
RRC Glossary
First Aid
Defined in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 as follows:
(a) In cases where a person will need help from a medical practitioner or nurse, treatment for
the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until
such help is obtained, and
(b) Treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not
need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.
First-Party Audit
Often referred to as an internal audit; usually undertaken by the organisation’s own auditors.
Fit
There are no health or fitness reasons as to why they cannot do the job.
Fit Note
A medical statement that doctors in the UK issue to patients, which replaced the ‘sick note’
scheme in April 2010. The statement is issued if an employee is absent from work through
injury or ill-health for over seven days. The fit note provides information on how an employee’s
condition affects what they do and how they might be able to return to work. A doctor will give
a ‘may be fit for work’ statement if they think that an employee’s health condition may allow
them to work, as long as the employer can give the employee the appropriate support. The fit
note gives greater scope for rehabilitation of the worker back into work and reflects evidence
that long-term absence is bad for health.
Fixed Fire-fighting Equipment

Various forms of permanent installation in buildings provided for fighting fires, for example
hose reels and sprinkler systems.
Fixed Roof Tanks

Used to store liquids like petroleum and crude oil in bulk at or near atmospheric pressure; they
are vertical cylindrical storage tanks.
Flame Detectors
The flame of a fire emits not only visible light but also ultra-violet and infrared radiation. Flame
detectors operate on the basis of detecting either of these forms of radiation.
Flammable
A material that will readily catch fire if ignited by a heat source. The terms ‘combustible’ and
‘inflammable’ mean the same thing.
RRC Glossary
Flammable Gas Detectors

These operate at the pre-fire condition, measuring the concentration of flammable gas in the
atmosphere, actuating an alarm when the concentration reaches a predetermined fraction of
the lower explosive limit. The gas mixture is drawn over a catalytic surface on which the
flammable gas is oxidised. In turn, the heat of oxidation raises the temperature of the catalyst
surface and the device responds to the rise in temperature dependent on the concentration of
the air/flammable gas mixture passing over it. Flammable gas detectors must be calibrated to
take into account the different gases to which they will be exposed; for instance, different
calibrations are required for propane and petrol.
Flammable, Highly Flammable and Extremely Flammable

These are useful classifications under the EU CLP Regulation (No.1272/2008 on classification,
labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures) as follows:
• Flammable liquid - flash point between 23°C and 60°C (i.e. around ambient temperature).
• Highly flammable - liquids with a flash point of less than 23°C (i.e. below ambient
temperature) and a boiling point of 35°C or more and certain reactive substances.
• Extremely flammable - liquids having a flash point less than 23°C and a boiling point of less
than 35°C (i.e. very low flash point and low boiling point therefore high volatility).
Flammable Limits
See Limits of Flammability.
Flashover
The condition when, at a certain point in a fire, all the carbon-containing material suddenly and
spontaneously ignites.
Flashpoint
The lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid gives off vapour in sufficient quantity to
form a combustible mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.
Flexion
Bending action; e.g. the elbow is ‘flexed’ when the hand is brought closer to the shoulder.
Floating Production
Floating production, storage and offloading unit – for receiving crude oil from wells, processing
it (separation of oil, gas and water), storing and offloading.
RRC Glossary
Floating Roof Tanks

A variant of the above but the tank roof is floating directly on the surface of the liquid within
(i.e. not fixed, it moves up and down with the level of the liquid); there is a flexible seal between
the rim of the roof and the tank wall.
Floating Storage and Offloading Unit (FSO)

Floating storage and offloading unit – a floating hull fitted with oil storage tanks and a facility to
transfer oil to tankers. Many FSOs are old, converted supertankers.
Floating Storage Unit (FSU)

Floating storage unit – can either be the same as an FSO or, more commonly, transfer the oil by
pipeline to a land-based facility.
Flora
Plant life.
Flow Rate
Volume of water passing through a river over a set period of time.
Food Chain
Represents the ‘food’ relationship between organisms and species in an ecosystem. For
example, phytoplankton (tiny marine, plant-like organisms which manufacture their own food
using light) are eaten by fish, which are eaten by larger fish, which are eaten by humans.
Fops
Falling object protective structure - usually a steel grill or shatter-proof cover on top of the
driver cab.
Form F10
This is the form from the HSE - “Notification of a Construction Project” - that is completed by
the client before a project starts. When completed, it is sent to the HSE, and a copy is displayed
on the site. It can also be re-sent if further information regarding the project becomes available.
Formal Caution
A statement by an inspector that is accepted in writing by the duty holder, that the duty holder
has committed an offence for which there is a realistic prospect of conviction. A formal caution
may only be used where a prosecution could properly be brought. ‘Formal cautions’ are entirely
distinct from a caution given under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act by an inspector before
questioning a suspect about an alleged offence. Enforcing authorities should take account of
current Home Office guidelines when considering whether to offer a formal caution. (Source:
HSE 41 (rev1) Enforcement Policy Statement, HSE, 2009.)
RRC Glossary
Fossil Fuel
Fuel formed from the fossilised remains of dead plants and animals which have been subjected
to heat and pressure in the earth over millions of years. Coal, oil and gas are examples of fossil
fuels. They are extracted from the earth and burned to give energy.
Framework Directive
In 1989 the EU Council adopted Directive 89/391, which became known as ‘The Framework
Directive’, and which introduced structured measures to encourage improvement in the safety
and health of employees at work. Most health and safety legislation created subsequently by the
EU is based upon it. The provisions of Directive 89/391 apply to all workplaces and set out
general principles concerning the prevention of occupational risks, the protection of safety and
health, and the elimination of risk and accident factors. The Directive also gives guidelines on
the application of the principles it covers. An important part of it is Article 16, which states that
the Commission shall adopt directives on specific topics relating to the workplace, often called
‘daughter directives’, which lay down particular requirements for those areas of activity; e.g.
display screen equipment, PPE, etc. The requirements of the ‘daughter directives’ are in
addition to and do not replace provisions of the Framework Directive.
The provisions of the Framework Directive were enacted in the UK by means of the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992. However, most of the
requirements of the Directive would have already been met by employers if they were fulfilling
their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulations made under its
umbrella. The main feature to note is the introduction of a formal requirement placed upon
employers to undertake risk assessments.
Free-Flowing Solid
In the context of confined spaces, this is any substance consisting of solid particles and which is
of, or is capable of being in, a flowing or running consistency and includes flour, grain, sugar,
sand or other similar materials.
Frequency
The number of sound pressure waves generated per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). The
frequency of a sound wave relates directly to its pitch.
Friction
The resistance an object encounters in moving over another.
Frictional Force
The force needed to push an object over a given surface. Pushing an item over a smooth surface
will require less force than pushing the same item over a rough surface.
RRC Glossary
Fumes
Small solid particles produced by condensation of vapours or gaseous combustion products (i.e.
cooling of combustion products from hot processes). Particle size is in the range 0.01 to 1
micron. They are created by industrial processes that involve the heating and melting of metals,
such as welding, smelting, lead burning and arc air gouging, and can arise as a product of
combustion, e.g. lead poisoning is associated with the inhalation of lead fume.
Fumigation
A method of pest control that involves filling an area with pesticide gasses, which poison
vermin, insects, etc.
Fuse
An electrical safety device that is designed to protect electrical equipment from overheating. It
does not protect people from the effects of electric shock. Under fault conditions, the
equipment will draw excess current, causing a heating effect through the fuse, which contains a
wire that melts, thus isolating the equipment from the incoming supply.
Fusion Heat Detector

In its simplest form, it consists of an electrical circuit incorporating a switch held in either the
open or closed position by a piece of low-melting alloy. In the heat of the fire this alloy melts,
the switch is released and the circuit conditions change, allowing an extinguishing medium to be
released.
RRC Glossary
-G-
Gantry
Used in the context of cranes, this refers to a hoist mounted on a trolley that moves
horizontally on a rail or pair of rails. An example of a gantry crane is an overhead travelling
crane. Gantry cranes are also used in shipyards and container ports, with some having very high
lifting capacities.
Gap Analysis
A technique in which the current situation is defined and compared with the desired or ‘target’
situation. Differences, or ‘gaps’ can then be identified and acted upon in order to bring the
current situation closer to the desired situation.
Gaseous
Existing in the state of a gas.
Gauge Pressure
Pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.
General Damages
These arise as a result of the accident and include awards for pain, suffering, loss of amenity and
future loss of earnings.
Geology
Study of the physical materials that make up the Earth.
Global Warming Potential

A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps into the atmosphere relative to the heat
trapped by a unit of CO2.
Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

An international agreement backed by the United Nations (UN), aimed at a common approach
to classification.
Goal
In the context of organisational management, an object of effort or ambition.
RRC Glossary
Goal-Setting Legislation/Approach
Legislative requirements (e.g. in Acts, Regulations or Orders) that specify broad objectives to be
achieved but leave it to the duty holder to decide the best way to achieve the goal. This is the
approach used in much modern health and safety law and is the opposite of the older
‘prescriptive’ style.
Gravimetric Analysis
Involves accurately weighing a sample before and after exposure to the dust or other pollutant.
The gain in weight will represent the amount of pollutant collected over the period chosen.
Green Paper
In the UK Parliamentary system, a statement of government intent. Its objective is to seek
opinion and feedback on proposals, rather than to announce firm policy (see White Paper).
Greenhouse Effect
The trapping of heat leaving the planet by atmospheric gases, causing the surface to become
warmer.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere which absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth.
Grit
Is defined as particles exceeding 76 microns in diameter (Clean Air (Emissions of Grit and Dust
from Furnaces) Regulations 1971).
Gross Breach
“A breach of duty of care by an organisation is a ‘gross’ breach if the conduct alleged to amount
to a breach of that duty falls far below what can reasonably be expected of the organisation in
the circumstances”. (Source: Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007)
Groundwater
Water located below the surface in soil and rock fractures. Groundwater is sourced from rain,
snow, etc, which soaks into the ground, eventually saturating the sub-surface material. The top
of this area of saturation is known as the ‘water table’.
Guardrails
Protective railings, e.g. around the working platform of a scaffold.
RRC Glossary
Guidance Notes
One of four forms of information on health and safety. The other forms of information on
health and safety are:
• Acts of Parliament.
• Regulations made under those Acts.
• Codes of Practice.
Guidance Notes are published by government authorised agencies in relation to the safe
performance of various activities. They are not mandatory nor are they as significant as Codes
of Practice, but a safety inspector would expect an employer to follow them. Guidance Notes
may be used in court as evidence of good practice. They can be freely downloaded from the
HSE website.
RRC Glossary
-H-
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV)
“Mechanical vibration which is transmitted into the hands and arms during a work activity.”
(Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005).
Hand Tools
Tools which are entirely powered manually, including anything from axes to wrenches.
Harmful
Produces serious acute or chronic ill-health or death at larger doses than would be the case for
a toxic substance.
Harmonised Standards
The Harmonised Standards are categorised into three general types:
• Type A Standards (Basic Safety Standards)
These give basic concepts, principles for design and general aspects that can be applied
to all machinery. The key standard is BS EN ISO 12100:2010 Safety of machinery.
General principles for design. Risk assessment and risk reduction.
ISO/ TR 14121-2:2012 Safety of machinery – Risk assessment – Part 2: Practical
guidance and examples of methods gives practical guidance on conducting risk
assessment for machinery in accordance with ISO 12100 and describes various methods
and tools for each step in the process.
• Type B Standards (Generic Safety Standards)

These deal with one safety aspect or one type of safeguard that can be used across a wide
range of machinery. They are subdivided into:
‒ Type B1 standards on particular safety aspects (safety distances, surface temperature,
noise, etc.), e.g. BS EN ISO 13857:2008 is concerned with the minimum height and
distance from the hazard.
‒ Type B2 standards on safeguards (two-hand controls, interlocking devices, pressure-
sensitive devices, guards, etc.).
• Type C Standards (Machine Safety Standards)

These deal with detailed safety requirements for a particular machine or group of
machines. For example, BS EN 692:2005 is concerned with mechanical presses.
RRC Glossary
Hazard
An article, substance or situation that has the potential to cause harm or damage.
Hazard Data Sheet

See Material Safety Data Sheet.
Hazard Identification Number (HIN)

A two or three-digit code, which attempts to communicate the nature and intensity of the
hazard class. For example, UN 1203 (petrol) is associated with an HIN of 33 (note that this
system is related to the UN hazard class – petrol is in Class 3).
Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)

A structured discovery technique for identifying hazards resulting from potential malfunctions
in a process. This technique is normally conducted at the plant design stage and is carried out by
a multi-disciplinary team. HAZOPs allow an assessment to be made at the wider system or
‘plant’ level, not at component level. Deviations from normal performance are modelled
through the use of ‘Guide’ and ‘Property’ words.
‘Guide’ words include ‘No’, ‘More than’, Less than’, etc. while ‘Property’ words include any
physical property such as flow, temperature, pressure, etc. When combined, the Guide and
Property words form a Deviation, which can then be examined. For example, the ‘Guide’ word
‘No’ can be matched with the ‘Property’ word ‘Flow’ to give the deviation ‘No Flow’. The team
will then look at the system schematics to decide how ‘No Flow’ might be caused and then
decide whether the consequences of ‘No Flow’ will demand a design change to prevent this
from happening or mitigate the outcome.
Hazard Realisation Models

These attempt to calculate probabilities or frequencies of specific event scenarios. They are
often used to assess the chances of loss of containment occurring in the process industries.
Hazardous Event
An incident which occurs when a hazard is realised.
Hazardous Substance
CoSHH defines a substance as hazardous to health if:
• It is dangerous for supply within the meaning of the CHIP Regulations and is either very
toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant.
• It has an approved Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL).
• It is a biological agent.
• It is a dust of any kind at a substantial concentration in air.
• It does not fall into the above categories but creates a similar risk to health
RRC Glossary
Health
“A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity”. (Source: The World Health Organisation, 1948.)
Health Champion
An individual who works within an organisation to promote health and well-being in the
workplace and leads the way in developing a healthier workplace.
Health Needs Assessment (HNA)

“A systematic method of reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed
priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities.” (Source:
Health Development Agency, 2005.)
Health Promotion
“The process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve, their health.” (Source:
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, WHO, Geneva, 1986.)
Health Record
Defined in the Access to Medical Records Act 1998 (AMRA) as being any record which consists
of information relating to the physical or mental health or condition of an individual, and has
been made by, or on behalf of, a health professional in connection with the care of that
individual.
Health and Safety Audits

The health and safety audit should be an in-depth, systematic, critical investigation into all
aspects of safety. It needs to include management systems, policy, attitudes, training and
practice.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The UK Health and Safety Regulatory Authority is responsible for the enforcement of health
and safety law in higher-risk workplaces such as factories, construction sites, nuclear
installations, etc. The HSE was established by HSWA 1974. In 2008, it merged with the Health
and Safety Commission (HSC) to become a unitary body, known as the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE).
HSE’s job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also provide additional Guidance on health and safety
measures, including an extensive series of stand-alone health and safety guidance notes.
Health and Safety File

Contains information about the new or modified structure that the client needs to know.
RRC Glossary
Health and Safety Policy

A critical document that underpins the entire safety management system. The ‘Policy’ is
generally arranged in three sections – the ‘Statement of Intent’, ‘Organisation’ and
‘Arrangements’. The ‘Statement of Intent’ sets out the employer’s attitude and commitment to
the management of health and safety. The ‘Organisation’ page defines roles and responsibilities
for health and safety. The ‘Arrangements’ page gives details of how different aspects of safety
and health will be managed in practice.
Health Surveillance
An assessment of a worker’s medical fitness that focuses on one specific aspect of health in
relation to a particular hazard or hazard group. The intention of health surveillance is to
determine a worker’s state of health with regards to the hazard and then to track that aspect of
their health forward in time through repeat assessments.
Height
Any place, including a place at or below ground level, from which a person could fall to cause
personal injury.
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, caused by viruses, toxic substances, or immunological abnormalities.
Hertz
Standard unit of frequency (Hz). It is used as the unit for all sorts of cyclically varying things,
including mains electricity. In most parts of the world, the standard mains electrical supply is in
the form of Alternating Current (AC) - so-called because it flips (or reverses) its current (and
voltage) direction or polarity repeatedly over time, cycling back to its starting state before
beginning the cycle all over again. In the case of mains AC, it goes through a cycle around 50
times per second, hence is said to operate at 50Hz (1Hz = 1 cycle per second).
Hierarchy of Control
A list of control types that must be considered in sequence. By working down the hierarchy, an
attempt is first made to remove the hazard, or control it at source, before finally using PPE as a
last resort, or to further control the risk.
RRC Glossary
Hierarchy of Guarding
The measures to be taken to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machinery can be
ranked in the following hierarchy:
• Fixed enclosed guards.

• Other guards or protection devices such as interlocked guards and pressure mats.
• Protection appliances such as jigs, holders and push-sticks, etc.
• The provision of information, instruction, training and supervision.
Holistic
Trying to understand all the interactions between the separate components as they work
together as a whole.
Holistic Approach
A systems analysis approach that requires the analyst to look at the behaviour of the total
system rather than isolated workings of individual components.
Housekeeping
A set of simple procedures that help in reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls on the level as
well as reducing the risk of fire in a workplace. Housekeeping procedures help to ensure that
work areas and routes are properly maintained and clean to limit risks and hazards such as wet,
slippery or uneven floor surfaces. They also address the accumulation of waste or other debris
in the workplace, as well as other topics such as identifying and, where appropriate, rectifying
poorly lit areas.
HSG65
Guidance booklet entitled ‘Successful Health and Safety Management’, published by HSE Books
(ISBN 0 7176 1276 7), which defines five steps to achieve good safety management. The five
steps to achieve good safety management are:
• Policy - a written policy must be put in place, which sets targets and objectives for dealing
with health and safety issues.
• Organising - deals with roles and responsibilities of all employees to ensure they know what
their part is in the overall safety management system.
• Planning and implementing - to achieve the objectives set in the policy, it is important to
have a strategic plan for health and safety issues.
• Measuring performance - to actively monitor health and safety standards and to learn from
incidents and put corrective actions in place.
• Reviewing performance - critically appraise the system to ensure it is operating effectively.
RRC Glossary
Human Capital
The set of skills which an employee acquires on the job, through training and experience, and
which increases that employee’s value in the marketplace. “Investing in human capital” refers to
the training and development of employees and ensuring that they feel valued members of the
team.
Human Error
Unintentional action or decision which deflects from an accepted standard and leads to an
undesirable outcome.
Human Factors
Defined by the HSE as the interaction between the main factors that affect human performance
while at work. The main factors are classed as the job, the individual and the organisation.
Humidifiers
Devices for maintaining or increasing level of humidity in the atmosphere.
Hydraulic
Conveying water or worked by water or other liquid in pipes.
Hydrogeology
Study of the movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks.
Hydromorphology
This constitutes the character of water flow, energy, etc., and the physical shape and character
formed by the flow of water through the catchment.
Hypoglycaemia
Low blood sugar levels – too low to provide enough energy for the body’s activities.
Hypothermia
A condition in which the body’s core temperature is caused to drop to a level below which
normal metabolic function begins to slow then cease. Caused by exposure to cold
environments, where the heat being lost by the body is not being balanced by heat gain.
Symptoms range from shivering through to mood changes, disorientation, confusion and
increased fatigue, ultimately resulting in death if the body’s core temperature cannot be raised
in time.
RRC Glossary
-I-
Ignition Point (Kindling Point)
The temperature to which a material has to be heated for sustained combustion to be initiated
by a pilot source.
Immediate cause
The unsafe act or unsafe condition that leads directly to the consequences (caused harm,
damage, etc.).
Impact
An impact is defined in ISO 14001:2015 as: “change to the environment, whether adverse or
beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s environmental aspects”.
Impedance
A term used in electrical and electronic engineering to describe a form of opposition that a
circuit gives to the flow of current through it. Impedance is not the same as ‘resistance’, since it
accounts for phase differences in alternating current circuits and therefore has both magnitude
and phase, whereas resistance has magnitude only.
Improvement Notice
A formal notice, issued under s21 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, in situations
where an enforcing authority inspector is of the opinion that a person is contravening one or
more of the relevant statutory provisions, or has contravened one or more of those provisions
in circumstances that make it likely that the contravention will continue to be repeated. The
notice requires the contravention to be remedied within a specific time frame, which is at the
inspector’s discretion. Appeals may be lodged with the Employment Tribunal within 21 days of
receipt of the notice.
Impulsive Sound
A sound that generally has a very short duration making it more noticeable than continuous
sound types.
In Tandem
Together at the same time.
Incentive
An inducement that provides a source of motivation for someone to do something, usually in
the form of some sort of reward for achieving a particular goal or milestone.
RRC Glossary
Incidence
With reference to the analysis of accident and ill-health data, this reflects the number of new
cases of a particular event in a population over a given time (e.g. a year) and is often used to
describe accidents as each accident is a “new” event.
Incident
An undesired event that has caused or could have caused damage, death, injury or ill health.
Incubation
Medical term (often used in the context of ‘incubation period’), meaning the period between
infection and appearance of symptoms.
Induction Training
Training given to new employees to help them become familiar with their new working
environment, any safety and welfare issues, and how their work relates to the organisation.
Inert
Chemically inactive. An inert gas won’t react or sustain a fire and so can be used to eliminate
oxygen and so prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere. The most common inter gas
used is nitrogen.
Inerting
Where an ‘inert’ gas (nitrogen) is used to suppress a flammable atmosphere, e.g. in a fuel tank,
to prevent explosion.
Information
Refers to any information in any format that is passed on to the worker that can help them to
understand the hazards and risks associated with the work that they are doing and the correct
workplace precautions and methods that they have to adopt. Information can be provided in
written form (e.g. a company handbook containing the general safety rules), graphic form (e.g. a
safety sign) or verbally (e.g. information about how to report an accident).
Informing
Providing information to workers in a form that they can understand and then checking that the
information has been understood. The information flow is one-way.
Ingress
To go into or enter. The opposite of egress.
Inherently Safer Designs

Designs where the design engineers use a variety of techniques to achieve risk reduction
through design (“design it out” principle).
RRC Glossary
Innocuous
Having no adverse effect; harmless.
Inspectors (Powers of)

Enforcement of health and safety legislation is undertaken by inspectors appointed under
Section 20 of HSWA and authorised by written warrant from the enforcing authority.
HSE/EHO inspectors have the power to enter premises at any reasonable time accompanied, if
necessary, by police officers. They can take with them any duly authorised person, equipment or
materials required; make examinations and investigations; direct that any premises, any part
thereof or anything therein shall remain undisturbed for the purposes of examination and
investigation; take measurements, photographs, recordings and samples; cause any article or
substance to be dismantled or subjected to any process or test; take possession of any article or
substance and detain for as long as is necessary; require any person to give information, answer
questions and sign a declaration of truth; require production of, inspect and take copies of
books and documents required to be maintained or otherwise; require any person to afford
appropriate facilities and assistance; inform Safety Representatives of matters they have found
following an investigation or examination; serve Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices.
Installation
A stationary technical unit, such as a self-contained building, permanent structure or fixed plant,
which is used for one or more activities listed in the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Also
includes any directly associated activities that are carried out at the same site.
Instruction
Will normally refer to more explicit directions about what to do or not do when working. In
many cases this would be provided as part of a work briefing or ‘tool-box talk’ before work
commences. Instructions might be given verbally or in writing.
Insulation
A material that does not allow electricity to flow through it (does not conduct), e.g. rubber.
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)

A container used for the storage and transport of liquids and other bulk materials. They are
cubic in shape and usually constructed of plastic surrounded by a metal cage. They often have
pallet bases so they can be moved by a forklift truck.
Intoxication
State of being drunk or highly excited.
Intumescent
A product which expands when it comes into contact with heat.
RRC Glossary
Intumescent Lining
A material that expands when heated to form an insulating fire-retardant barrier that protects
the underlying surface.
Intumescent Strip
‘Intumesce’ means ‘to swell’ so intumescent strips, seals, or foam are placed in door frames and
other openings (e.g. service ducts between floors) and swell with the heat from a fire and seal
the gap, preventing the passage of air (which might feed the fire), smoke and flames.
Invertebrates
Animals without a backbone.
Investing in Human Capital

This refers to the training and development of employees and ensuring that they feel valued as
members of the team.
Ion
An atom having one or more additional electrons or one or more less electrons in orbit around
the nucleus. Addition of electrons creates a ‘negative ion’; subtraction of electrons creates a
‘positive ion’.
Ionisation
The process whereby one or more electrons is removed from, or added to, the orbit around the
nucleus of an atom, leaving a net positive or negative charge. The resulting atom is known as an
ion.
Ionised Molecule
Physically converted into an ion by adding or removing a charged particle such as an electron.
For example, Sodium (Na) is a neutral atom (it is neither negatively nor positively charged).
When it combines with Chlorine (Cl) it loses an electron and becomes positively charged (Na+).
The Chlorine gains the electron and becomes negatively charged (Cl-). They are ionised and
combine together to form NaCl (common salt).
Ionising Radiation
Energy emitted by the radioactive decay of radioactive substances and by X-rays. Its energy is
sufficient to ionise the atoms in living tissue and cause biological harm (see ionisation).
Workplace exposure may arise in nuclear power generation, university and medical use, certain
types of food processing and industrial materials testing procedures.
RRC Glossary
IPPC
Refers to the Directive’s main purpose - to achieve an ‘integrated’ approach to pollution
control from a range of industrial and agricultural activities. ‘Integrated’ means looking at all the
environmental impacts together rather than dealing with them separately. It aims to achieve a
high level of protection of the environment as a whole.
Irritant
Describes substances that can cause tissues to become inflamed if contact is prolonged or
repeated, in particular of the mucous membranes.
ISO 14001
A stand-alone, auditable, international standard which sets out principles and steps to
implement an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). To meet the standards set
by ISO 14001 and implement an environmental management system, an organisation should
follow five steps:
• Preparing an environmental policy whereby senior management describes the operation of

the company and its effects on the environment.
• Planning to identify and prioritise the organisation’s objectives and targets for
improvement.
• Implementation and operation of procedures for key activities such as communication,
document control and definition of roles and responsibilities within the EMS.
• Checking and corrective action stage determines if the requirements of the standards in
ISO 14001 are being met and whether the systems are being properly maintained.
• Management review identifies whether changes need to be made to the policy.
See also EMAS (2).
ISO 9000
A series of documents describing how quality can be controlled by means of a comprehensive
quality system covering all functions within an organisation. Setting up and documenting such
an effective quality system demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to quality and its
competence to meet its customers’ requirements.
Isokinetic Sampling
‘Same speed’ sampling - a technique of drawing a sample of air through a probe at the same
speed as the gas flow in the stack. This reduces the risk of concentrating either larger or smaller
particles and ensures that the sample taken is representative of the spectrum of particles found
in the stack emission.
RRC Glossary
Isolation
An engineering control in which a hazardous job or process is either moved to, or enclosed in, a
place where few people will be exposed to the hazard; alternatively, a worker is moved to a safe
place away from the hazardous job or process where there is no exposure.
Isotopes
Chemical elements that have identical atomic numbers but different mass numbers.
RRC Glossary
-J-
Jaundice
A disease causing yellowing of eyes, skin, etc. due to excessive bile being produced by the liver.
Jib
The central pole or beam (i.e. boom) of a crane or derrick.
Job Rotation
Where people are moved from job to job to ensure that they are not harmed by repeating the
same movements, or not affected by prolonged exposure to adverse environmental conditions
such as excessive heat or cold.
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

A technique commonly used to develop a safe system of work.
A JSA has six steps, as follows:
• Select the task to be analysed.
• Record each step of the task.
• Examine each step to identify hazards.
• Develop the safe system of work.
• Implement the safe system of work.
• Monitor the application and effectiveness of the safe system of work.
Judicial Precedent
Is a previous decision of a superior court, which acts as an authority (precedent) and binds a
lower court when considering a later case that deals with the same or a similar legal point.
RRC Glossary
-K-
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Provide information for an organisation to define and monitor progress towards organisational
goals.
Kyoto Protocol
Is an international agreement looking at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Developed
countries must reduce greenhouse gas emissions, whereas developing countries are only
required to monitor and report emissions.
RRC Glossary
-L-
Lagging Indicators
Reactive measures that look at failures, such as the number of injuries, the number of near
misses and the number of spills which are reported, or excursions where plant is operated
outside of the intended operational envelope.
Landfill Leachate
Is liquid that drains or moves through a landfill. The liquid is either already in the waste or is
caused by rainfall. It is often highly contaminated and can pollute nearby waterways and
groundwater.
Laser
Is an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. (See
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER))
Law
Is a collection of rules designed to regulate and control the conduct of citizens, laid down by
those in authority and enforced by its officials. Our present-day laws have evolved from a
number of sources, but there are two primary sources of law: statute law and common law.
Both civil and criminal law comprise statute and common law.
Leading Indicators
Proactive measurements of conditions that monitor health and safety before something goes
wrong and to see if things are operating as intended.
Legionnaire’s Disease
A potentially fatal lung infection (pneumonia) that is caused by the Legionella Pneumophila
bacteria. It is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Initial
symptoms include a high fever and muscle pain. Once the bacteria begin to infect the lungs,
sufferers may also develop a persistent cough. Legionnaire’s disease is caught by breathing in
small droplets of contaminated water. Prompt treatment using antibiotics is essential to reduce
the risk of death. The condition is called Legionnaires’ disease because it was first identified
after a mass outbreak at a hotel hosting a convention of a veteran organisation known as the
American Legion.
RRC Glossary
Legislation
May be defined as the statutes and other legal instruments (documents) that have been
enacted by the governing body.
Lenticular
Shaped like a lens or lentil seed.
Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection transmitted by rats, mice, dogs; causes a fever in humans, sometimes
jaundice or meningitis. Also known as Weil’s disease.
Levy
Charge.
Life Cycle
Refers to the notion that accurate assessment of the impacts of a product on the environment
should take into account the effects of the product in its whole life cycle, including raw-material
production, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal. The sum of these phases is known as
the life cycle of the product.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

Assessment of the impacts of a product on the environment through its whole life cycle - from
cradle to grave.
Lifting Equipment
Work equipment for lifting or lowering loads and its attachments for anchoring, fixing or
supporting it, i.e. cranes, goods lifts and hoists, mobile elevating work platforms, vehicle hoists
and forklift trucks. ‘Lifting accessories’ are included, which attach the load to the machine, such
as ropes, chains, slings, eye bolts, etc.
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER)

An artificially-produced light emitted in such a way as the light waves are all of one wavelength
and are all in phase, producing a very coherent and usually non-divergent beam.
Limits of Flammability
The extremes of fuel (vapour or gas) to air ratios between which the mixture is combustible.
Between the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) and the Upper Flammable Limit (UFL) lies the
explosive or flammable range. The LFL and UFL are sometimes referred to as the Lower
Explosive Limit (LEL) and the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL), respectively.
RRC Glossary
Liquefied Natural Gas Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (LNG FSRU)
It receives LNG from other vessels, ‘regasifies’ it (i.e. converts the liquid back into gas) and
distributes it via pipelines to onshore facilities.
Litigant
The term used to describe the parties to legal proceedings. Litigants are those who contest the
case (claimants and defendants). They may represent themselves (‘litigants in person’) or may
be represented by a professional advocate.
Litigation
The process of taking legal action.
Live and Dead

When a system is connected to an electrical power source it is said to be ‘live’ (some countries
use the term ‘hot’). Once it has been disconnected from its power source it is said to be ‘dead’.
Load
Defined as any discrete moveable object, including a person. The weight of the load is not the
most critical factor. The term does not include a control lever attached to a machine.
Loadline
This is marked on the side of a ship’s hull to indicate the maximum load. It depends on water
density (affected by temperature, salinity).
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

A mechanical suction-based air extraction system designed to remove contaminated air at the
point of generation and ducting it away from work areas. The contaminated air can then be
cleaned and exhausted to atmosphere.
Lock-off System
This involves securing an electrical isolator (or other energy control handle, lever, pipe-valve,
etc.) with a padlock so it cannot be switched on or operated. Each operative will apply their own
separate padlock, and a safety sign (‘tag’) will be put on the locks.
Long-Term Exposure Limits (LTELs)

Designed to control the chronic ill-health effects of long-term exposure to harmful substances -
the sort of exposures that might occur routinely on a daily basis over a period of weeks, months
or years in a workplace.
Lower Explosive Limit

RRC Glossary
Lumbar
An adjective relating to the abdominal section of the back between the diaphragm and the
pelvis. The human spine has five lumbar vertebrae.
RRC Glossary
-M-
Machinery
Machinery can be defined as:
• An assembly, fitted with or intended to be fitted with a drive system other than directly
applied human or animal effort, consisting of linked parts or components, at least one of
which moves, and which are joined together for a specific application.
• An assembly as referred to in sub-paragraph (i), missing only the components to connect it
on site or to a source of energy and motion.
• An assembly as referred to in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii), ready to be installed and able to
function as it stands only if mounted on a means of transport, or installed in a building or
structure.
• Assemblies of machinery as referred to in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) or partly
completed machinery, which, in order to achieve the same end, are arranged and
controlled so that they function as an integral whole.
• An assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves and which are
joined together, intended for lifting loads and whose only power source is directly applied
human effort.
Machinery Guarding Principles

All guards must be suitable for their purpose and a protection device or interlocking system
must be designed so that it will operate only as intended. If the overall risk is high then there
should be adequate provision to counteract the effects of failure. Guards and protection
devices must be of good construction and be capable of doing the job they are intended to do.
Once constructed and installed, the law requires them to be maintained in efficient working
order and in good repair.
Machinery Hazards
Machines that present hazards in general workplaces. BS 5304 listed the following hazards
associated with the use of machinery. They related only to mechanical hazards:
• Entanglement.
• Friction and abrasion.
• Cutting.
• Impact.
• Shear.
RRC Glossary
• Crushing.
• Drawing in.
• Stabbing and punctures.
The basic source of information regarding safety of machinery was the British Standards
Institution publication BS 5304: 1988, Code of Practice for safety of machinery. As the result of
harmonisation of EU standards, it was adapted as an EU standard and republished as:
• BS EN 292: Part 1: 1991, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design
Part 1, Basic terminology, methodology.
• BS EN 292: Part 2: 1991, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design
Part 2. Technical principles and specifications.
• BS EN 292 extended the basis upon which hazards are described by incorporating hazards
associated with use. The following categories were introduced:
• Mechanical (derived from the above list).
• Electrical.
• Thermal.
• Noise.
• Vibration.
• Materials and substances.
• Ergonomic principles.
• Combinations of above.
Macroinvertebrates
Small animals without a backbone that are not microscopic and can be seen with the naked eye.
Manage and Management

To organise, regulate and be in charge of a business, and management are those engaged in
these functions.
Management of Change (MOC)

In high-hazard industries, it is recognised that even seemingly small changes (e.g. to equipment,
workforce, procedures, process conditions) can have large potential consequences if they are
not thought through properly beforehand. MOC is a management control approach to make
sure that proposed changes are properly assessed and authorised.
Management System
Set of interrelated or interlacing elements of an organisation to establish policies and objectives
and processes to achieve those objectives.
RRC Glossary
Mandatory
Compulsory (e.g. by law or because of a local rule); where there is no choice.
Manual Handling
Transporting a load using muscular strength and body weight. It may involve lifting, pushing,
pulling, carrying, lowering and supporting of the load.
Marking
When used in relation to vehicles and tanks, is the display of orange reflectorised rectangular
plates. The exact nature of these depends on the type of vehicle and the type/amount of the
load.
Maximum Explosion Pressure

The maximum pressure occurring in a closed vessel during the explosion of an explosive
atmosphere. It is determined under specified test conditions with different atmospheres (dust,
gas, etc.) having different explosion pressure values.
Maximum Travel Distance

“The actual distance to be travelled by a person from any point within the floor area to the
nearest storey exit, having regard to the layout of walls, partitions and fittings.” (Approved
Document B)
Mean Time Between Failure

This is the calculated average time that elapses between failures of a system, equipment or a
component. This is used in relation to predicted failures of repairable systems (non-repairable
systems just fail, so the term obviously would not make sense).
Means of Escape
A means of escape in case of fire is a continuous route by way of a space, room, corridor,
staircase, doorway or other means of passage, along or through which persons can travel from
wherever they are in a building to the safety of the open air at ground level by their own
unaided efforts. An alternative means of escape is a second route, usually in the opposite
direction to the first means of escape, but which may join the first means of escape. The
following are not acceptable as means of escape:
• Spiral staircases.
• Escalators.
• Lowering lines.
• Portable or throw-out ladders.
RRC Glossary
Doors providing means of escape should not be locked and should open outwards only. Where
doors are kept locked for security purposes, panic bolts should be fitted or keys kept in
designated key boxes close to the exit. A notice should indicate that the doors can be opened in
case of fire.
A fire exit notice should be fitted to or above fire exit doors. Appropriate notices should be
affixed along fire escape routes, which should be provided with emergency lighting. Corridors
and stairways forming a means of escape should have at least half-hour fire resistance. The
surface should be non-combustible.
Mechanical Handling
The use of any machine – hand-operated or power-driven – to aid manual handling and to
move, lift and carry loads.
Mechanical Hazards
Arising from the direct interaction of people with the machine itself.
Meniscal Lesion/Tear
Rupture of one or more of the fibrocartilage strips (called ‘menisci’) in the knee. Symptoms
include pain and/or swelling of the knee joint.
Mental Health Condition

“This term describes all mental disorders or illnesses that meet generally accepted criteria for
clinical diagnosis, treatment or interventions. They include common conditions, such as
depression and anxiety, as well far less common conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder.” (Source: Working our way to better mental health: a framework for action,
DWP/DH, December 2009 (http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/
document/cm77/7756/7756.pdf).)
Metabolites
Products of chemical changes in living organisms.
Micro-organism
An organism that is microscopic, including bacteria, fungi, microscopic plants and animals such
as plankton.
Microswitch
A miniature electrical switch with many uses such as part of a machine’s interlock mechanism.
RRC Glossary
Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE)

The MIE of a dust cloud is the lowest energy of a high-voltage capacitor discharge required to
ignite the most readily ignitable dust/air mixture at atmospheric pressure and room
temperature. The dust concentration and the ignition delay are systematically varied until a
minimum value of the ignition energy is found. The tested energy levels are 1000, 300, 100, 30,
10, 3 and 1mJ.
Miscommunication
The phenomenon whereby a message is improperly conveyed, causing it to be misunderstood
or not received.
Misuse
“Persistent or sporadic excessive… use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical
practice.” In regard to drugs, such misuse would mean not only the use of uncontrolled (i.e.
illegal) drugs but also the misuse of medically-prescribed drugs.
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)

A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they can carry
out work from the mobile working platform. Consists as a minimum of a work platform with
controls, an extending structure and a chassis.
Mobile Work Equipment

Any work equipment which carries out work while it is travelling or which travels between
different locations where it is used to carry out work. Examples include Mobile Elevating Work
Platforms (MEWPs), mobile cranes, dumpers, forklift trucks, land rovers, concrete wagons, etc.
Pallet trucks, sack barrows, wheelbarrows, compressors and concrete pumps are not considered
mobile work equipments.
Monitoring
Methods used by an organisation to measure how effectively policies are being implemented,
how well they are controlling environmental risks and how the culture of the organisation is
developing with regard to environmental protection.
Monitoring Approach
Whether the monitoring is periodic or continuous.
Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS)

Is a certification scheme for pollution-monitoring equipment based on internationally-accepted
performance standards.
RRC Glossary
Monitoring Equipment
The instruments and apparatus used for monitoring.
Monitoring Method
The published or documented procedure for using the monitoring approach and technique so
that comparable results can be obtained when the monitoring is carried out at different times
and by different organisations.
Monitoring Techniques
The analytical principles behind the monitoring, e.g. infrared absorption, chemiluminescence,
etc.
Morale
The level of commitment, energy and enthusiasm that a workforce has for the work being
done.
Motivate
Getting people to do, willingly and well, that which needs to be done.
Motivation
A person’s drive towards a goal; the thing that is making them do what they do.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons,
ligaments, joints, nerves and other soft tissues. The main types of MSDs are:
• Back pain.
• Neck and shoulder pain.
• Upper limb disorders, e.g. tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Lower limb disorders, e.g. bursitis.
Mutagen
Substances that can cause heritable birth defects. Mutagens (mutagenic substances) cause
changes (mutations) in a cell’s DNA, the resulting changes being passed down to future
generations.
RRC Glossary
-N-
Natural Resources
Land or raw materials that occur naturally in the environment.
Near Miss
An unplanned, uncontrolled incident that could have resulted in loss but did not.
Negligence
In English law, a tort (civil wrong). Negligence is a breach of a legal duty to take reasonable care,
which results in damage to the claimant. In other words, is ‘not doing what you should have
done’ (i.e. an omission rather than an act, so things happen by default because you failed to act).
Neighbour
Such person who may be closely and directly affected by the acts or omissions in question (see
Neighbour Principle).
Neighbour Principle
A phrase derived from the speech of Atkin LJ in Donoghue v Stevenson, 1932 and used as a test
in cases of negligence. This principle requires parties to take reasonable care to avoid those acts
or omissions that they might reasonably foresee would be liable to injure their neighbour.
Neuropathy
A long-term complication (e.g. of diabetes or exposure to vibrating hand tools) that affects the
nerves that carry messages from skin, bones and muscles to the brain, often occurring in nerves
in the feet and legs.
Neurotic
A term used to describe severe forms of anxiety or depression.
New Mother
A woman who has just given birth, up to 6 months after the birth, or while still breastfeeding.
An expectant mother is a pregnant woman.
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

Areas of land that drain into nitrate-polluted waters and contribute to the pollution of those
waters.
RRC Glossary
Noise
Is defined in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNWR) as any audible sound.
Within these Regulations, any reference to an employee being exposed to noise is a reference
to their exposure to noise which arises whilst they are at work or as a consequence of their
work.
Noise Exposure
The damaging effects of noise are related to the total amount of energy or “dose” which the
ear receives. The dose/energy depends on two factors: the level of noise and the duration of
exposure. It is commonly accepted that equal amounts of noise energy entering the ear causes
the same deafness to exposed workers irrespective of the noise or exposure profiles. Thus a
short exposure to a high level of noise is considered to cause comparable hearing damage to a
long exposure to a low level of noise. Furthermore, there is a particular danger of instantaneous
damage caused by proximity to an explosive source, where a very high-pressure sound wave is
produced (e.g. pneumatic nailing and stapling, riveting, cartridge tools or guns). A methodology
for noise risk assessment is given within the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which
provide a framework for the control of workplace noise at work.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

A condition which results from a failure of the hair cells in the cochlea to respond fully to sound
intensities having frequencies within the human speech range. The person does not necessarily
lose the ability to hear sound, but is not able to distinguish the spoken word clearly, even if it is
presented with a raised voice.
Non-conformity
Non-fulfilment of a requirement.
Non-degradable
That which cannot be broken down.
Non-ferrous
A term used to describe metal that does not contain iron, e.g. lead, copper, etc.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Act in the middle ground between the governmental organisations and business; they deliver
services, guide agendas and advance initiatives. NGOs urge state authorities to fulfil their role in
upholding the law and are keen to work in co-operation with local authorities and others to find
solutions to environmental problems. They are frequently the conduit for funds and the means
for governmental and international governmental organisations to implement policies on the
ground. They may be consultees in certain key areas and frequently appear in the media.
RRC Glossary
Non-ionising Radiation
Radiant energy that does not cause ionisation in matter. It consists only of electromagnetic
radiation with wavelengths greater than 100nM, e.g. microwaves, radio waves, ultraviolet, infra
red.
Non-mechanical hazards
Associated with the use of machines, often the environment within which the machines are
located, the materials used and other aspects of the machine’s operation.
Non-Renewable Resource
Is one that cannot be replaced once it is used or one that takes an extremely long time to
replace. Non-renewable resources are often those associated with fossil fuels (such as coal, gas
and oil) but the term can also be used for other resources such as metals, uranium and slow
growing hardwood trees.
Norms
A system of social rules and ‘laws’ that govern societal behaviours. Although not the same as
formal laws, norms still operate so as to promote social control. Social norms can be enforced
formally (e.g. through sanctions) or informally (e.g. through body language and non-verbal
communication cues.) If people do not follow these norms then they risk becoming outcasts
from the group.
Notices
Can be issued under various environmental laws to ensure that a situation is improved, or an
activity is prohibited. Non-compliance with the notice can lead to a fine or prison sentence.
Notifiable
This means the relevant enforcing authority (HSE, Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) or Office for
Nuclear Regulation (ONR), must be informed (using Form F10) if the project is expected to last
longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working on the project at any one
time, or exceed 500-person days.
The client must ensure that an up-to-date copy of the notice submitted is displayed in the
construction site office, so it is accessible to anyone working on the site and in a form that can
be easily understood. The client can either do this themselves, or ask the principal contractor or
contractor to do so.
Noxious
A substance that is physically harmful or destructive to living beings, e.g. noxious waste.
RRC Glossary
Nuclear Fission
This involves ‘splitting the atom’. The energy used to hold the atom together is released in the
form of heat.
Nutrients
Substances that are needed by living organisms to enable them to live and grow.
RRC Glossary
-O-
Obiter Dicta
(In relation to common law judicial decisions.) Literally ‘comments by the way’. Comments
made by the judge that are not intended to create a binding precedent but may aid
understanding of the legal issues and may be viewed as having some persuasive authority.
Objective
Result to be achieved. An objective may be strategic, operational or tactical. It may apply to
different disciplines and different levels. An objective may be expressed in other ways such as an
intended outcome, as an environmental objective or by use of other words (aim, goal or target).
Occupational Health
“The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-
being of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from health, controlling risks and
the adaption of work to people and people to their jobs”. (Source: International Labour
Organisation, ILO/WHO 1950.)
Occupational Health Monitoring

Routine medical tests or examinations carried out to check individual workers for exposure to
certain workplace agents; often required by legislation dealing with specific agents, e.g. lead.
(See Biological Monitoring.)
Occupational Health Risks

The risk of developing ill-health conditions (e.g. musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory
problems) following exposure to a hazardous agent or due to the way in which the task is
carried out.
Occupational Health Services

These involve the services of occupational health doctors, nurses and technicians as well as
specialists in particular fields such as audiometricians. There may also be involvement from the
Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) in the form of EMAS medical advisers or
appointed doctors. There are several categories of occupational health service, namely:
• A full occupational health service, staffed by a full-time doctor, with one or more
supporting nurses. Specialist treatment might also be available in a work’s health centre,
such as dental, optical, chiropody and physiotherapy. Suitable for large organisations or
those with sufficient risks to make it viable.
RRC Glossary
• An occupational health service staffed by an occupational health nurse with regular visits by
a doctor and clinics (perhaps weekly). Suitable for smaller organisations or those with fewer
occupational health risks.
• An outsourced occupational health service provided by a private occupational health-
service provider. The type of service provided, the make-up personnel providing the service
and its functions have to be determined by the employer. Suited to SME’s with low-risk
profiles.
Occupier
A person (or persons) who has sufficient degree of control over premises that he ought to
realise that any failure on his part to exercise care may result in injury to a lawful visitor. (Wheat
v Lacon, 1966).
Oedema
A medical term for the build-up of fluid in the body’s tissues. Oedema can affect any part of the
body such as feet and ankles (peripheral oedema), the brain (cerebral oedema) or the lungs
(pulmonary oedema).
Off-site Plan
The off-site response to an incident which will be developed by external agencies, in order to
provide a co-ordinated response to an incident.
OHSAS 18001
An international standard created by a number of the world’s leading national standards bodies,
certification bodies, and specialist consultancies. A main driver for this was to try to remove
confusion in the workplace from the proliferation of certifiable Occupational Health and Safety
specifications. The standard replaced a number of older documents used in the creation
process. This standard was developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO
14001 (environmental) management systems standards, in order to facilitate the integration of
quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems by
organisations, should they wish to do so.
The OHSAS specification gives requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
management system, to enable an organisation to control its OH&S risks and improve its
performance. It does not state specific OH&S performance criteria, nor does it give detailed
specifications for the design of a management system.
The OHSAS specification is applicable to any organisation that wishes to:
• Establish an OH&S management system to eliminate or minimise risk to employees and
other interested parties who may be exposed to OH&S risks associated with its activities.
• Implement, maintain and continually improve an OH&S management system.
RRC Glossary
• Assure itself of its conformance with its stated OH&S policy.

• Demonstrate such conformance to others.
• Seek certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external
organisation.
• Make a self-determination and declaration of conformance with this OHSAS specification.
On-site Plan
An internal plan detailing the site’s emergency response; it may include the need to contact the
emergency services or regulators externally but this is an internal plan as it is delivered by site
personnel.
Opacity
Quality of something that is opaque or dense.
Operatives
Those directly involved in an activity.
Organic
Any perceived clash of interests between individuals, groups or levels of authority in an
organisation.
Organisation
This includes corporations, trade unions, public bodies (e.g. local authorities and NHS trusts),
government departments and police forces. (Source: Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate
Homicide Act 2007).
Organisational Conflict
Any perceived clash of interests between individuals, groups or levels of authority in an
organisation.
Orifice Plate
A device used for measuring volumetric flow rate. It is usually placed in a pipe through which
fluid flows and consists of a thin plate with a hole in the centre.
Over 7-Day Injury

An injury that is not ‘major’ but results in the injured person being away from work or unable to
do the full range of their normal duties for more than seven days. When calculating ‘more than
seven consecutive days’ the day of the accident should not be counted, only the period after it.
Any days the injured person would not normally have been expected to work, such as
weekends, rest days or holidays, must be included. (Source: HSE, L73, ‘A guide to the reporting
of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 1995’.)
RRC Glossary
Overload
Is a current (usually continuous) above the design current (the load) of the circuit.
Oversailing
The action of carrying
a suspended load over something - which may be other construction activities, buildings or
roads/railways/waterways, etc.
RRC Glossary
-P-
Packing Group
An attempt to categorise substances into degrees of danger. There are three such groups and
each is conventionally written in roman numerals. Packing group I is high danger, II is medium
danger, and III is low danger. Different UN classes have different criteria for this assignment.
Petrol (UN 1203) is assigned packing group II.
Pandemic
An epidemic (outbreak) of an infectious disease infecting a large number of people and
occurring over a wide geographical area.
Particulate
In the form of, or relating to, particles or small matter.
Passive Fire Protection (PFP)

“Coating or cladding arrangement, or free-standing system, which, in the event of fire, will
provide thermal protection to restrict the rate at which heat is transmitted to the object or area
being protected.” (BS EN ISO 13702:1999)
Pathogen
Disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria and parasites, that cause diseases such as cholera,
typhoid, dysentery, bilharzias and hookworm.
Pathways
Chemicals may move through the environment by such means as diffusion into the air or water,
through bioaccumulation (and hence into the food chain), and adsorption and absorption into
the soil.
Peak Load/Peak Demand

Terms used interchangeably to denote the maximum power requirement of a system at a given
time, or the amount of power required to supply customers at times when need is greatest.
Pedestrian
Refers to people ‘on foot’ - they can be construction workers (working or just walking on the
site), visitors to the site and members of the public on or around a construction site or in the
street.
RRC Glossary
Peer
A person of equal level or rank in terms of age or social or educational background.
Peer Group
Group of individuals of similar age, social or educational background.
Perception
The recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli based chiefly on memory.
Performance Standard (PS)

This is a general term used to mean an agreed standard that is set, and against which actual
performance is measured and judged. Various models and methods are used for setting
performance standards in process safety (e.g. ‘FARSI’ model).
Periodic Measurement
Is a measurement regime carried out at periodic intervals, e.g. six months. Samples are usually
taken from the stack and measured elsewhere (grab or extractive sampling). Instrumental or
automatic techniques can be used where an online analyser carries out the sampling and
analysis; or a manual technique may be used where a sample is extracted on-site and analysed
later in a dedicated laboratory. Samples may be collected over lengthy periods of several hours,
or can be spot or grab samples taken over much shorter periods, from a few seconds to a few
minutes.
Permanent Threshold Shift

A condition where there is a permanent reduction in hearing acuity with the most pronounced
reduction occurring at 4KHz. The reduction is irreversible, with no recovery of hearing acuity
with time away from exposure.
Permit-to-Work
A formal, written document of authority to undertake a specific procedure and is designed to
protect personnel working in hazardous areas or activities.
Permits are used for high-risk activities that require complex precautions and clear
communication of additional controls. They are also frequently used where operations are non-
routine, or if new hazards are introduced and require communication.
Permit-to-Work System
A formal, documented procedure that forms part of a safe system of work. It is commonly used
for high-risk work and it documents measures to reduce risks, such as isolations. It is used to
ensure that the correct precautions are in place and that all those who need to know about the
work are informed.
RRC Glossary
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

“All equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended
to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his
health or safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective.”(PPE at Work
Regulations 1992) e.g. safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety
footwear and safety harnesses.
Personal Sampling
This assesses individual exposure to airborne contaminants in relation to the set occupational
exposure limits. Sampling concentrates on individuals and their specific work locations to
determine personal levels of exposure to the contaminants present in the working
environment.
Persuasive Precedent
Decisions that are not binding on a court but to which a judge may decide to attach some
weight, e.g. decisions of superior courts in Commonwealth countries that are treated with some
respect by UK Courts.
Photosynthesis
The process that plants and algae use to convert sunlight and CO2 into energy.
Physico-chemical Pollutants
These are mostly naturally occurring pollutants. They are required to be at a level that supports
the optimum ecology for the watercourse. Examples include dissolved oxygen, temperature,
nutrients and physical alteration to rivers.
Placarding
The display of large hazard-warning diamonds (which contain graphics communicating the
hazardous nature of the load, related to the UN hazard class(es) into which the dangerous
goods fall).
Place of Safety
A safe area beyond the premises.
Planning Action
An organisation must plan to take action to address its significant aspects, compliance
obligations and risks and opportunities. It must also plan to integrate the actions into its EMS
processes. Technological, financial and business requirements should be considered in planning.
Plant and Equipment

A term used to describe mobile and fixed work equipment.
RRC Glossary
Pneumoconiosis
A group of lung diseases caused by the inhalation - and retention in the lungs - of dusts. The
most commonly-occurring types of pneumoconiosis (apart from asbestosis) are coal worker’s
pneumoconiosis, arising from the inhalation of coal dust, and silicosis, arising from the
inhalation of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS).
Point Sources
Drains, vents and chimneys exhausting to water, air or land.
Pollutant
Anything that causes harm in some way to humans, animals, ecological systems or even
buildings.
Pollution
Can be very simply defined as “too much of something in the wrong place”. It generally results
in a degradation of the environment - destroying some of the amenities of life, e.g. clean air,
water, and wholesome land.
Portable Electrical Equipment

Equipment with a cable/lead and plug.
Portable Power Tools

Hand-held tools which have an external power source (e.g. electricity, compressed air, liquid
fuel, hydraulic and powder-actuated), including anything from an electric screwdriver to a
pneumatic drill.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition that may develop following involvement in, or witnessing, a
traumatic event or events.
Potable
Suitable for drinking.
Power Take-Off Device

A device that conveys power from mobile work equipment to any work equipment connected
to it, e.g. from a tractor gearbox to power a baling machine being towed behind the tractor.
Powers of Inspectors
See Inspectors – Powers of.
RRC Glossary
Practicable
A level of legal duty that is lower than an ‘absolute’ duty but which still must be met without
regard to cost provided it is technically feasible to do so, e.g. the duty to guard dangerous parts
of machinery, found in Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1998.
Predicted No-Effect Concentration

Concentration of the substance below which adverse effects are not expected to occur.
Presbycusis
A reduction in hearing acuity that occurs naturally with age.
Prescriptive Legislation
Legislation that details specifically what must be done. Nowadays, this is a less popular approach
as it is deemed to place too many constraints on duty holders and lacks flexibility.
Presenteeism
Employees going to work when they are ill/sick.
Pressure System
A means of storing and transporting energy for use in the workplace.
Pressure-Vacuum (PV) Vent

Also known as ‘breather vents’. Completely sealed bulk storage tanks can suffer from the build-
up of excessive pressure or vacuum from the liquid/vapour within. This can damage the vessel
itself and lead to major leaks. PV vents prevent the build-up of excessive pressure or vacuum.
This is often achieved using spring-loaded or weighted valves which are designed to operate at
pre-set pressure/vacuum. Note that these vents are not permanently open to atmosphere
(which would allow continuous loss of flammable vapour) but operate only when the
pressure/vacuum become excessive. Valves also incorporate protection from weather (e.g. a
cowl or hood) and solid contaminants/vermin (e.g. wire mesh).
Prevalence
The total number of cases in a particular population as a proportion of the total population. It
is often used to represent ill-health statistics and reflects not only new cases but also those who
continue to suffer.
Primary Care
Health services provided to a patient on first contact with the health care system, such as GP
surgeries, dental practices, pharmacies, etc.
RRC Glossary
Primary Fire
Health services provided to a patient on first contact with the health care system, such as GP
surgeries, dental practices, pharmacies, etc.
Proactive
Forward-looking; a term often used in connection with monitoring and performance
measurement and increasingly referred to simply as active.
Probability of Failure on Demand (PFD)

This is the probability that a component will fail to perform its safety function at the time it is
needed. Note that a component may have more than one safety function/mode of operation
and the PFD may be different for each of these functions.
Procedural Control
A general term for a group of control measures such as safe systems of work and permits to
work, which are procedurally-based.
Procedure
A written representation of the steps that must be followed to perform a task.
Process
Set of interrelated or interacting activities which transform inputs into outputs. A process may
or may not be documented.
Process Approach
Individual activities and their related resources are managed as a process (each with their inputs
and outputs); e.g. an organisation can be viewed as a system comprising a network of
interrelated processes, where outputs of one process can be inputs for others.
Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)

A systematic analysis of the hazards (and their potential causes and consequences) relevant to a
particular process. This may use one or more specific techniques, such as HAZOP, What-if,
FMEA.
Process Modules
An oil rig/platform is modular; the process module is a confined area where gas and water are
separated from the oil. The water is usually treated before being emptied into the sea. The gas is
used for gas compression/reinjection into wells and any excess gas is burnt off at the flare stack.
RRC Glossary
Prohibition Notices
A formal notice issued under s22 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in cases where an
enforcing authority inspector is of the opinion that the activities involve, or may involve, the risk
of serious personal injury. The notice will say that the inspector is of that opinion and will
specify the matters that give rise to the risk. It will order that the activities in question are not
performed until such time as the problem is remedied.
A Prohibition Notice may take effect immediately or it may be deferred. Appeals can be made
to the Employment Tribunal within 21 days of service of the notice, but the notice will not
normally be suspended pending the outcome of the appeal.
Project
In construction, a project of work including all planning, design and management and all
construction work until the end of the construction phase.
Prolapse
To fall down or become out of place, e.g. a ‘prolapsed disc’ is used to describe a herniated
intervertebral disc in the spine.
Prophylactic
Medication or treatment used to prevent disease.
Proportional Integral Derivative (PID)

The three separate elements - proportional-integral-derivative - which comprise the control
loop that regulates the process variables, e.g. pressure. This avoids the need to have manually
operated process control.
Protection Factor
An estimation of the amount of protection RPE affords to the user. It can be nominal (based on
laboratory test results) or assigned (closer to values achieved in real use).
Protective Devices
Devices that act to cut off the electricity supply in the event of a fault and/or to reduce the
current delivered to a person in the form of an electric shock.
Provisionally Fit
A health or fitness issue has been identified that could prevent this person from doing their
duties safely; however, some time observing them in the work situation is needed before a final
decision is made. A probationary period of work may be offered so that further assessments
can take place.
RRC Glossary
Psychological Aspects
From the bio-psychosocial model, it is the aspect related to the personal or psychological
factors that influence function, behaviour, beliefs, coping strategies, emotions and distress. (This
term does not relate to mental illness.)
Psychology
A study of the human personality.
Pursuance
The act of carrying out something or putting it into effect.
Putrefaction
The decomposition of organic matter.
Putrescible
Capable of rotting/decomposing.
RRC Glossary
-Q-
Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)
A system of voting used in the European Union as part of the process of making new legislation.
Under QMV, each Member State is allocated a block of votes according to its size by
population. For example, the large states such as the UK, France, Germany and Italy each have
29 votes, while Malta, with a much lower population and therefore a lesser percentage of the
total EU electorate, has only 3. Under current arrangements, at least 255 out of the 345 are
needed if a law is to be enacted.
Qualitative Risk Assessment

The comprehensive identification and description of hazards, from a specified activity to people
or the environment. The range of possible events may be represented by broad categories, with
classification of the likelihood and consequences, to facilitate their comparison and the
identification of priorities. Qualitative risk assessments are characterised by the fact that they do
not use numerical systems to assess risks, relying instead on a more subjective approach based
on the assessor’s perception and opinion and presented as high-, medium- or low-risk levels.
Quantifiable
Capable of being measured.
Quantitative Risk Assessment

“The application of methodology to produce a numerical representation of the frequency and
extent of a specified level of exposure or harm, to specified people or the environment, from a
specified activity. This will facilitate comparison of the results with specified criteria.”
Quantum
Amount. Can be used in the context of a claim for compensation, where the amount of the
claim is referred to as the ‘quantum’.
RRC Glossary
Quick Hitch
A quick hitch on an excavator is a latching device that enables attachments to be connected to

the dipper arm of the plant and interchanged quickly. An excavator operator may change the
bucket on his excavator up to 30 times a day in order to maximise the machine productivity.
Approximately 13% of all accidents investigated on excavators are attributed to the bucket
detaching from a quick hitch and injuring a ground worker. These are mostly fatal and major
injuries. However, there may be many more dangerous occurrences when a bucket detaches
unintentionally from the hitch, but no injury results because no one is underneath at the time.
This means that quick hitch failures are relatively common, although injuries are less so.
RRC Glossary
-R-
Radiation
Can be defined as the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or particles emitted by
radioactive materials. These are known as alpha particles, beta particles, electrons, positrons,
protons and neutrons.
Rate of Pressure Rise

The rate of the pressure rise in a given time during the explosion of an explosive atmosphere in
a closed vessel. This is determined under test conditions.
Ratio Decided
In relation to common law judicial decisions, literally ‘the reason for the decision’. A statement
of the law based on an examination of the facts and the legal issues surrounding them. This is
the most important part of a judgment, which contains the precedent.
Reactive
Means ‘after it has happened’.
Reactive Monitoring
A technique that is employed after an incident or following recognition of some loss making
event, in which an attempt is made to learn the lessons in order to prevent further loss in the
future, e.g. an accident investigation.
Reagent
In chemistry, substance that reacts in a certain way to other substances and that can be used in
tests.
Reasonably Practicable
A level of legal duty. A narrower term than ‘physically possible’ and implies that a computation
must be made in which the quantum of risk is placed on one side of the scale and the sacrifice
involved in carrying out the measures necessary for averting the risk is placed on the other side.
If it can be shown that there is a gross disproportion between the above factors, the risk being
insignificant to the sacrifice, then a defendant discharges the onus upon themselves. (Edwards v
National Coal Board, 1949.)
Receptor
Equipment or structure adapted to receive substances (e.g. a receptor hood on an LEV system).
RRC Glossary
Receptors
Include people, farm stock, plants, surface and groundwater systems, and the land.
Recording
The process of documenting the event.
Reductionist Approach
A systems analysis approach wherein the system is divided into its components for individual
analysis to identify system or subsystem failures, e.g. as in a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
(FMEA).
Refuge
A protected location (normally on, or adjacent to, a main means of escape) where people can
wait for a short time.
Regulated Facilities
Are specific activities that require a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations
2016 - installations, mobile plant, waste operations, radioactive substances activities water-
discharge activities, groundwater activities, mining-waste operations and flood risk activities.
Regulation
Applies directly to the intended target (normally member states). There is no requirement to
assimilate into national laws.
Relative Density
The density of a substance under consideration, divided by the density of some standard
substance under the same conditions of temperature and pressure.
Relative Humidity
The ratio of the mass of water in a given volume of air at a given temperature divided by the
mass of water required to saturate that volume of air at the same temperature.
Relevant Doctor
In the context of medical surveillance, a relevant doctor is either a medical inspector of the
HSE’s Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS), or a doctor appointed by the HSE.
Relevant Duty of Care

Includes a range of duties owed under the law of negligence (including the duty of care owed
by employers to employees, the duty owed by occupiers, etc.). (Source: Corporate
Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007).
RRC Glossary
Relevant Fluid
It means:
a) steam; or
b) any fluid or mixture of fluids which is at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric
pressure, and which is:
i) a gas; or
ii) a liquid which would have a vapour pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric
pressure when in equilibrium with its vapour at either the actual temperature of the
liquid or 17.5 degrees Celsius; or
c) a gas dissolved under pressure in a solvent contained in a porous substance at ambient
temperature and which could be released from the solvent without the application of heat
Relevant Persons
Any person who is, or may be, lawfully on the premises, and anyone in the immediate vicinity
who is at risk from a fire on the premises. This does not include fire fighters when carrying out
fire-fighting or other emergency duties. (Term as used in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005.)
Remediate
Repair the harm done to the environment by returning it to its unpolluted state. This could
involve removing pollutants and could extend as far as restocking waterways with species
affected by a pollution incident or replanting damaged vegetation.
Remote Sensing
Is simply observing or measuring things from a distance. As part of an integrated observing
strategy, satellite measurements provide a context for localised observations and help extend
these observations to continental and global scales.
Remotely Operated Shutoff Valve (ROSOV)

A shutoff valve whose operation can be controlled from a point which is remote (i.e. some
distance away) from the valve itself, such as in a control room. ROSOVs are mainly used for
rapid emergency isolation of vessels, pipelines, etc. during emergencies, such as major leaks.
Renal
Relating to the kidney.
Renewable Resource
Is one that is inexhaustible, such as solar energy, or one that can be replaced over time, e.g.
softwood trees or fisheries. It is vital that renewable resources are not used faster than they can
be replaced.
RRC Glossary
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

See Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD).
Reportable Diseases
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
(SI 1995 No. 2023) require certain occupational diseases to be reported to the enforcing
authority in order that workplace ill health can be monitored. The diseases are classified under
three main headings:
• Conditions due to physical agents and the physical demands of work, including:
inflammation, ulceration or malignant disease of the skin, bones or blood resulting from
work with ionising radiation; carpal tunnel syndrome; hand-arm vibration syndrome
resulting from vibration.
• Infections due to biological agents, including: anthrax, brucellosis, etc., and any infection
which can reliably be attributed to work with micro-organisms, exposure to human blood
or body fluids, or animals.
• Conditions due to substances, including: poisonings from listed substances; angiosarcoma
of the liver associated with vinyl chloride monomer.
The diseases listed in Schedule 3 of RIDDOR are only reportable if they are believed to be
directly attributable to the specified work activity.
Reporting
The process of informing people that an incident has occurred – this can be internally within
the organisation or externally to enforcing authorities or insurers, etc.
Reprotoxic
Any substance that may affect male or female fertility or harm a foetus.
Residual Current Device

An electrical safety device that continually measures current flowing in the live and neutral lines
of an electrical circuit and which will trip if there is any difference between the two, which is
interpreted as a short circuit to earth.
Residual Risk
Risk that remains once controls have been put in place.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Any type of PPE specifically designed to protect the respiratory system, e.g. self-contained
breathing apparatus.
RRC Glossary
Response
The resultant effect.
Responsible Person
In a workplace, this is the employer if the workplace is to any extent under his control, and any
other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. In
all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is
more than one responsible person in any type of premises, all must take reasonable steps to
work with each other. (Term as used in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.)
Rest Period
Any period which is not working time, other than a rest break or leave to which the worker is
entitled (Working Time Regulations 1998).
Reverberate
To be repeated several times as a succession of echoes.
Review
Relating the monitoring process, is the analysis of the data gathered through the monitoring
processes, allowing an organisation to judge whether environmental risks are adequately
controlled.
Ringelmann Chart
A chart of various shades of grey (1-5) that is compared to an emission to air to determine
compliance with the Clean Air Act and associated regulations. The British standard BS
2742:2009 identifies how it should be used.
Risk
The likelihood that a hazard will cause harm in combination with the possible consequences.
Risk Assessment
A process in which you identify the hazards and the people who might be harmed and how;
evaluate the risk and decide on precautions; record the findings and implement them; and
review and update the assessment as necessary.
Risk Control System (RCS)

The term used to describe a specific part of a safety management system that focuses on a
specific risk or activity. Examples include plant change, inspection and maintenance and permit-
to-work.
RRC Glossary
Risk Estimation
The process of determining the magnitude of the risk. This may be a relatively crude estimation,
e.g. ‘high, medium or low’ (as in a qualitative assessment), or it could be a more accurate
estimate based on data.
Risk Evaluation
The decision-making process whereby one decides, on the basis of estimates of risk, as to
whether or not a risk is acceptable.
Risk Management
A field of activity in which one seeks to eliminate, reduce and generally control pure risks and to
enhance the benefits and avoid detriment from speculative risks. (After Waring & Glendon,
1998.)
Risk Reduction
Risk is not avoided or eliminated entirely, but attempts are made to reduce the frequency
and/or severity of a potential loss by use of typical safety control techniques such as
engineering solutions to control risk at source, procedures and behavioural measures such as
training.
River Basin District

Describes a wide regional area, dominated by a major river, which contains a number of
tributary or subsidiary rivers and their individual catchments.
Robens Report
Lord Robens chaired a committee to address health and safety issues at work and the idea of
self-regulation in the workplace and this report led to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
1974. In 1970 the UK Government appointed a committee chaired by Lord Robens to examine
health and safety at work. The committee’s report was published in 1973. The committee was
critical of the alarming number of employees injured or killed every year and found that much
current law was incomprehensible to those who it was intended to protect. Much of the current
legislation was highly prescriptive, intricate, and often out-of-date. The enforcement authorities
had a confusing overlap of jurisdiction. The main conclusion of the committee was that apathy
existed at all levels within organisational structure. It suggested that a proactive system was
required involving all employers and employees; that a single comprehensive piece of
framework legislation was needed to cover all work activities, supplemented by controls to deal
with specific problems. There should be voluntary standards and flexible codes of practice. In
addition, there should be a single enforcement authority with powers of delegation, and also
charged with giving assistance and advice. The result was the passing of the Health and Safety at
Work etc. Act 1974.
RRC Glossary
Roll Bar or Roll Cage

This is part of the structure of the vehicle that prevents the driver from being crushed, should
the vehicle roll over on to its side or top; also known as a Roll-Over Protective Structure
(ROPS).
Roll Call
A process similar to reading the school register during which every person registered on site is
checked to ensure that they have assembled at the muster point.
Root Cause
An underlying circumstance that allowed the unsafe condition or act to exist (mainly
organisational and management failings).
Rope Access
Developed from techniques used in climbing and caving, it involves the application of practical
ropework to allow workers to access difficult-to-reach locations without the use of scaffolding,
cradles or mobile elevating work platforms.
Rops
Roll-over protective structure - a roll-bar-type frame or cage covering or surrounding the driver
cab. (See also Fops).
Routes of Entry into the Body

Substances may be absorbed into the body via any one of the following routes:
• By absorption through intact skin, or through the conjunctiva of the eye.

• Via a break in the skin e.g. through an open wound.
• By injection of a substance through intact skin, e.g. a biological agent on a ‘sharp’.
• By ingesting the substance.
• By inhalation – the most common route of entry.
Aspiration is a route of entry for solids or liquids directly into the lungs.
Rupture
To break open or burst. In occupational health, for example, may be used in connection with a
‘ruptured tendon’.
RRC Glossary
-S-
Sacro-Iliac
Refers to a joint in the pelvis, positioned between the sacrum and the ileum of the pelvis, hence
the name. The sacrum is a structure that supports the spine, whilst the two ileum bones (one on
each side of the pelvis) support the sacrum. There are, therefore, two ‘sacro-iliac’ joints.
Safe Person
A person who receives enough information, instruction and training to carry out procedures or
work safely.
Safe Place
An area where danger to people at work is reduced. When applying the general hierarchy of
controls, the principle is to try and establish a ‘safe place’ before trying to ensure a ‘safe person’,
the idea being to give priority to collective protective measures instead of relying on individuals
to behave safely.
Safe System of Work

A formal procedure that results from the systematic examination of a task in order to identify all
the hazards. It defines safe methods to ensure that hazards are eliminated or risks minimised.
Requirements for a safe system of work include:

• A safe layout, with adequate space.
• Safe means of access to and egress from the working area.
• Correct sequence of operations.
• Analysis of tasks, using techniques such as job safety analysis (see corresponding entry,
above).
• Identification of safe procedures, both routine and emergency.
• A safe and healthy working environment, in terms of:
• Temperature, lighting, ventilation and humidity.
• Noise and vibration control.
• Hazardous airborne contamination.
• Provision of information, instruction and training for persons operating the safe system of
work.
RRC Glossary
Safety
A state or condition of being safe, where hazards have been controlled to achieve an acceptable
level of risk.
Safety Audit
A systematic, critical examination of every area of a company’s safety management system, with
the objective of minimising loss.
Safety Critical Element (SCE)

A good definition of this term is included in UK regulations designed for the offshore oil and
gas industry:
“Such parts of an installation and such of its plant (including computer programmes), or any
part thereof-
1. the failure of which could cause or contribute substantially to; or
2. a purpose of which is to prevent, or limit the effect of,
a major accident.” Source: The Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 20052.
Safety Culture
Can be defined as the shared attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours relating to health and
safety. The safety culture of an organisation is the way that everyone within the organisation
thinks and feels about health and safety and how this translates into their behaviour.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

The safety data sheet provides important information relevant to the ill effects of hazardous
substances. ILO Recommendation R177 identifies the contents of safety data sheets: “The
criteria for the preparation of chemical safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals should
ensure that they contain essential information…”. In Europe, this is enacted through Article 31
of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (REACH),
which requires suppliers of substances and mixtures classified as dangerous for supply to
provide safety data sheets (SDS, or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as they are sometimes
known).
Safety data sheets must contain information under 16 mandatory headings:

1. Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking.
2. Hazards identification.
3. Composition/information on ingredients.
4. First-aid measures.
5. Fire-fighting measures.
6. Accidental release measures.
7. Handling and storage.
8. Exposure controls/personal protection.
RRC Glossary
9. Physical and chemical properties.

10. Stability and reactivity.
11. Toxicological information.
12. Ecological information.
13. Disposal considerations.
14. Transport information.
15. Regulatory information.
16. Other information.
Safety Inspection
A monitoring technique in which a particular working area or department is subjected to a
physical examination in order to identify unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
Safety Instrumentation System (SIS)

This is an instrumented system used to implement either a safety control or protection function
(or both). An SIS is made up of three connected parts - sensor(s), logic solver(s) and final
element(s). The sensor measures the process conditions. The logic solver decides what action to
take depending on the sensor input. The final element carries out the physical action, e.g. valve.
The three parts of the SIS may be based on programmable electronics/software (but don’t
have to be, e.g. hard-wired electrical/electronic, mechanical, hydraulic systems).
Safety Integrity Level (SIL)

This is related to the concept of Safety Integrity - which is the average probability of a SIS
performing its function (under the stated conditions for a required period of time). The SIL is
then used to specify the Safety Integrity requirements that the SIS needs to have. There are four
levels in the SIL system - level 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest level of safety integrity.
Safety Isolation
The interruption, disconnection and separation of all the equipment’s motive power sources in
such a way that this disconnection and separation is secure by lockable means.
Safety Representatives
Representatives chosen from among employees, usually with at least two years’ experience with
their employer or in similar employment, whose main function it is to represent employees in
consultations with the employer. Other functions include the right to carry out inspections of
the workplace, to look at the causes of accidents, to receive information from the Health and
Safety Inspectors and to attend meetings of the Safety Committee. Safety Representatives also
have the right to ask for, and receive from the employer certain information that relates to the
place of work. See Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977. The
Regulations are accompanied by an Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Notes.
RRC Glossary
Safety Sampling
An organised system of regular random sampling. Its purpose is to obtain a measure of safety
attitudes and possible sources of accidents, by the systematic recording of hazard situations
observed during inspections made along a predetermined route in a factory or site.
Safety Survey
A detailed examination of a particular safety aspect. It could involve, for example, a detailed
inspection of all aspects of fire-fighting equipment; examining all the safety devices on
machines; or checking all the emergency exits.
Safety Tour
It follows a predetermined route through the area or workshop and can be conducted by a
range of personnel, from works managers to supervisors and safety reps. Such tours typically
last only 15 minutes or so and may be carried out at weekly intervals to ensure that standards of
housekeeping are acceptable, gangways and fire exits are unobstructed, and hazards are dealt
with quickly. This is not as thorough as a safety sampling.
Sampling
A statistical method of obtaining representative information from a group taken from a parent
population, e.g. questioning 20 employees from a workforce of 100.
Sampling or Access Ports

From Stack-Emission Monitoring, they are points on the wall of the stack, duct or flue through
which access to the emission can be gained.
Sampling Point
From Stack-Emission Monitoring, it is the specific position on the stack where the sample is
extracted.
Scotch
Mechanical scotches are required on certain types of presses to protect the operator when
reaching between the platens. A scotch is a mechanical restraint device that can be inserted into
the machine so as to prevent physical movement of dangerous parts. These scotches can be
linked to the guard operation so they are automatically positioned each time the guard is
opened. It should only be possible to actuate it when the dangerous part (platen of down
stroking press or injection moulding machine) has been fully retracted. Alternatively a
progressive scotch will retain the platen at any position of its travel. Scotches can be used to
retain a rise and fall guard in the raised position and should be used to prop the body of a tipper
lorry when work is being carried out on the vehicle hydraulic system or transmission.
RRC Glossary
Scuppers
Drainage holes, typically found at deck level on ships, but may also be built into buildings in
order to assist drainage.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that has a seasonal pattern, most commonly occurring in the winter
months.
Second-Party Audit
Undertaken by another organisation, often a consultancy, or a team of auditors from another
organisation.
Secondary Fire
Reportable fires that:
• Did not involve property, casualties or rescues.
• Were attended by four or fewer appliances.
Sediment
A deposit that settles at the bottom of a container of liquid.
Segregation
The act of setting things apart, e.g. the segregation of pedestrians and moving vehicles in an
effort to reduce the risk of being struck.
Seizure
Refers to stalling of the drive shaft as a result of the operating mechanism of any accessory or
anything connected to it becoming incapable of movement due to poor maintenance, a
blockage or some other reason.
Self-Employed
An individual who works for gain or reward otherwise than under a contract of employment
whether or not he himself employs others. (S53, HSWA 1974).
Self-Regulation
The process whereby an organisation monitors its own adherence to health and safety
standards, rather than having an outside agency, such as a governmental body, monitoring and
enforcing standards.
RRC Glossary
Senior Management
In relation to the organisation, “senior management” is defined as persons who play a significant
role in “(a) the making of decisions about how the whole or a substantial part of its activities are
to be managed or organised, or (b) the actual managing or organising of the whole or a
substantial part of those activities.” (Source: Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide
Act 2007.)
Sensitiser
A chemical agent that can cause an allergic response following either a single acute
overexposure or repeated chronic overexposures.
Sensory Neurons
Nerve cells within the nervous system.
Services
When referring to overhead or buried services, we generally mean: water pipes, gas pipes, oil
pipelines, electricity supply cables, sewers and drains, telephone and IT communication cables,
etc.
Shear Stress
A component of stress coplanar with a material cross section.
Shearing
In the context of mechanical hazards, where two surfaces move across each other in same plane
so as to create a cutting motion.
Sheeting
In the context of transport, this is a protective covering applied over the top of materials to
protect them (and the people and environment around them) during transit.
Shoring
Artificial support for the side walls of an excavation to guard from collapse.
Short-Term Exposure Limits (STELs)

Designed to control the acute ill-health effects that might result from exposure to a high
concentration of a contaminant over short period of time.
Signatory
A person who signs.
RRC Glossary
Significant Change in Operating Conditions

This includes changes to speed, pressure, temperature, power or other operating conditions of
the work equipment where such conditions after the change result in risk to health and safety
which is greater than or of a different nature from such risks before the change.
Significant Risk
One which could foreseeably result in a major injury or worse arising from:
• incorrect installation or re-installation,
• deterioration, or
• as a result of exception circumstances which could affect the safe operation of the work
equipment.
(As described in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998)
Simultaneous Operations (SIMOP)

A term used mainly offshore where there is a potential clash of activities that have safety and
operational implications.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

A protected area as a result of its special geology, topography, or ecology.
Slinger
The competent person responsible for preparing and slinging a load in readiness for a crane lift,
and for attaching or detaching load slings from the crane hook.
Sludge
Soft mud or slimy substance such as sewage or other similar deposits.
Smelting
To melt in order to separate metal from mineral.
Smog
Two main types may occur in industrialised areas. These are:
• Particulate matter - microscopic particles that pollute the air. Sources include industrial and
vehicle emissions, road dust, agriculture, construction and wood burning.
• Ground-level ozone - a gas resulting from a chemical reaction when certain pollutants are
combined in the presence of sunlight. Sources include burning fossil fuels for
transportation and industry.
RRC Glossary
Smoke
Particles in the range 0.1 microns to 10 microns are seen as smoke. There are no clearly
established size definitions for these particulates, and different publications suggest other
overlapping size bands. In industrial air streams, the very fine particles may increase in size by
coagulating into larger particles. Those greater than 20 microns tend to sediment out rapidly.
Therefore, most particle sizes encountered are between 0.1 and 20 microns.
Social Aspects
From the bio-psychosocial model, it relates to the culture of the individual, the workplace,
society, social interactions and relationships.
Sociology
A study of the history and nature of human society.
Solubility
The ability of a substance to dissolve.
Sorbent
A solid or liquid material that is capable of absorbing or adsorbing a gas or vapour sample, e.g.
activated charcoal.
Sources of Information
Internal: Data and communications that flow inside the organisation, e.g. from person to
person, department to department.
External: Information and data that have come into the organisation from the outside, e.g. from
the regulators, or from other organisations.
Spalling
A physical process of the breakdown of surface layers of masonry, which crumble into small
pebble-like pieces in response to high temperatures or mechanical pressure.
Spalling is caused by heating, mechanical pressure, or both. This heat and/or pressure causes
uneven expansion of the materials that make up the masonry.
Pressure created by rapid changes in temperature, such as application of cold water to the
heated surface during fire-fighting operations, can also cause spalling. These processes break the
bond that holds the solids together and thus cause the masonry to crumble.
Special Damages
These must be expressly pleaded and proven. They are the component of the overall damages
award that covers expenses incurred due to the accident (prescription costs, medical treatment,
transport costs, etc.) and loss of earnings from the date of the accident to the date of trial.
RRC Glossary
Specified Risk
In connection with confined spaces and as referred to in the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997,
a ‘specified risk’ is one where there is:
• a serious risk of injury to any person at work arising from fire or explosion,
• the risk of loss of consciousness of any person at work arising from an increase in body
temperature,
• the risk of loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person at work arising from gas,
fume, vapour or lack of oxygen,
• the risk of drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in the level of a liquid,
or
• the risk of asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free flowing solid or the
inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid.
See also Free-Flowing Solid.
Spheres
Spherical-shaped storage vessels, which may be used for storing, among other things, liquefied
natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Spill Kit
Equipment used to clean up a spill - contents of a spill kit often include drain covers, absorbent
granules and gloves.
Sputum
Mucus coughed up from the lower airways.
Stakeholders
Those with an interest in your company, e.g. customers, shareholders, regulatory authorities,
residential neighbours, insurance companies and the supply chain.
Starting
Starting work equipment includes re-starting after a stoppage for any reason.
Static Sampling
This aims to assess the effectiveness of engineering controls of plant emissions into the working
environment by identifying likely sources of contamination from machines or processes. The
sampling equipment is placed at fixed positions, which are selected to provide the most useful
information regarding the principal contaminants emitted into the workroom air.
RRC Glossary
Statute Law
Written law produced through the Parliamentary process. Statute law includes Acts of
Parliament, Regulations and Orders in Council; it is often referred to simply as ‘Statutes’. The
contents of a statute are referred to as ‘Statutory provisions’. As Parliament is supreme,
conflicts between statute and common law are resolved in favour of statute law.
Steering Group
Group of high-level personnel or managers who meet infrequently to discuss general strategy
for others to then implement. Speeding, for example, is a strict liability offence – whether you
intended to exceed the speed limit is irrelevant – it is enough that you did so. Most health,
safety and environmental offences are offences of strict liability.
Stigmatisation
Setting people apart, denouncing them, branding them as different in a condemnatory way.
Stoichiometric Mixture Point

A point between the Lower and Upper Flammable Limits, where the ratio of fuel to air gives the
most efficient combustion.
Storey Exit
A final exit, or a doorway giving direct access into a protected stairway, fire-fighting lobby, or
external escape route.
Strain
The fractional distortion due to stress. A ratio of the amount of distortion divided by the
original length of the sample.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

“SEA is a process to ensure that significant environmental effects arising from the development
of strategies, plans and programmes are identified, assessed, mitigated, communicated to
decision-makers, monitored and that opportunities for public involvement are provided.”
(Source: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/cplanning/sea/)
Stress
1. In relation to mechanical engineering, the force applied per unit area, measured in NM-2.
2. Work-related stress – the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other
types of demand placed upon them.
Strict Liability
Offences of strict liability are those where it is only necessary to prove that the defendant
actually committed the wrongful act, not that he or she intended to do so. (See ‘More’.)
RRC Glossary
Stroboscopic Effect
The phenomenon where oscillations in light levels synchronise with a multiple of the frequency
of a rotating machine part, causing that part to appear to be stationary.
Struts
Structural components (e.g. in buildings, bridges, etc.), designed to resist longitudinal
compression.
Substance
Any natural or artificial material (including micro-organisms) intended for use (whether
exclusively or not) by persons at work.
Substitution
Replacing a hazard with another item or material, etc. which presents lower risk.
Suitable
• It is appropriate for the risks involved, the conditions where it will be used and the duration
of time over which it will be worn.
• It takes account of ergonomic factors and the health of the user.
• It fits the user.
• It controls specific risk without increasing overall risk.
• It is CE marked and complies with any relevant standards (in accordance with the Personal
Protective Equipment Regulations 2002).
Summary Offence
A relatively minor criminal offence, triable only in the Magistrates Court.
Supply Chain
A chain of people, activities, operations and organisations that bring a product or service to the
customer. It could involve, for example, those who: extract raw materials; transport the
materials to manufacturers; manufacture the component parts; manufacture the final product;
transport the final product to retailers; retail the final product to the customer.
Suspension
In chemistry, a mixture of dense fluid and particles that do not settle.
Sustainability
“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs” (Brundtland, UNCED 1992, and Johannesburg 2002).
RRC Glossary
Sustainable Development
“Is a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the
orientation of technological development; and institutional change are all in harmony and
enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations.”
Swarf
Waste material arising from metalworking operations.
Switching Off
Depriving the equipment of electric power, but still leaving it connected.
System
A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a united whole (Note: This is
one of several definitions which can be applied to systems.
RRC Glossary
-T-
Tabletop Exercise
A classroom-based scenario presented as a theoretical incident that the groups respond to in
their team roles. They run through the incident in an accelerated timeframe, stating the
information they would need, actions they would take and react in turn to information provided
by the trainer.
Tankers
Sometimes referred to as ‘fixed tanks’ or road tank vehicles; the tank is permanently fixed to the
vehicle chassis. Tank containers (sometimes called ‘ISO tanks’ or ‘portable tanks’), are held in
boxed-steel framework. The framework is locked to the vehicle chassis but can be unloaded
from the vehicle – this is particularly suited to transfer of tanks between, say, road vehicle and
train, or road vehicle and ship.
Target Organs
Refers to the organs in the body that a particular toxic chemical agent will always affect. The
main target organs are the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, bones, brain and nerves. Different
substances affect different organs, and may also affect more than one target.
Technical Control
Mechanical or engineering device to control or prevent harm to operatives/workers.
Temporary Threshold Shift

A condition that occurs after exposure to high noise levels where hearing acuity returns to
normal after a period of time.
Tenosynovitis
An inflammation of the synovial sheath that surrounds a tendon.
Tetanus
An acute infectious disease (also known as ‘lockjaw’) caused by infection of a wound with a
bacterium that produces a nerve toxin. Symptoms include muscle stiffness, spasms, fever and
convulsions.
RRC Glossary
Thermal Comfort
The term describes a person’s psychological state of mind and is usually referred to in terms of
whether someone is feeling too hot or too cold.
It is defined in British Standard BS EN ISO 7730 as:
“that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.’”
Thermal Shock
The effect of cracking that results from rapid and extreme temperature changes, e.g. from hot
to cold and vice versa.
Third-Party Audit
An independent, formal audit; usually undertaken by an accredited certification body.
Time-weighted Average
The average exposure levels, typically over an eight-hour working shift. When using this type of
monitoring (perhaps for a chemical agent or sound level), where workers are exposed to levels
below the permissible exposure limit for part of the day, then it is within the law for the
employer to expose those workers to levels above the permissible exposure limit for the rest of
the work shift, but only provided that the time-weighted average remains below the limit.
Tinnitus
A condition that may occur after exposure to excessive noise levels and is characterised by
ringing in the ears.
Toolbox Talks
Safety-related briefs, intended to be given to a workforce (by a supervisor) in a short (e.g. 10
minute) talk. They are usually carried out in the immediate workplace. Toolbox talks cover all
topics and records are kept of attendance.
Tort
In English law, a tort is a civil wrong, a breach of civil duty imposed by law. Both statute and
common law create torts. Torts can be acts or omissions. The equivalent in Scotland is known as
a “delict” (defined as an offence of lesser degree or a misdemeanour). Examples of torts are
defamation, nuisance and trespass.
Tortfeasor
A “wrongdoer” who has failed in their duty of care, or simply someone who has committed a
tort.
Toxaemia
A condition characterised by bacterial toxins in the blood.
RRC Glossary
Toxic
A substance that produces serious acute or chronic ill-health or death at very small or small
doses. See Very Toxic.
Toxic to Reproduction
A substance that is capable of causing sterility, miscarriage or non-heritable birth defects (a
teratogenic effect).
Toxicity
The term used to quantify the effects of a toxic agent (see Acute Toxicity and Chronic
Toxicity).
Toxicology
The study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms and the symptoms,
mechanisms, detection and treatment of those effects.
Trade Effluent
Is wastewater from a trade process. Before such wastewater may be discharged to the public
foul water system and then to the sewage works, a consent must be granted. The company
generating the effluent must satisfy the water company that it can produce effluent of a suitable
quality, which will not be disadvantageous to the sewerage or sewage treatment system.
Traffic Route
A route for pedestrians and/or vehicles including stairs, staircases, fixed ladders, doorways,
gateways, roadways, loading bays and ramps. Traffic routes should be organised so that vehicles
and pedestrians can move safely and without risk to health.
Training
Refers to a more formalised process where a worker is put through a systematic programme of
instruction. Training will sometimes be on the job or may be done in a classroom type
environment. It might involve theoretical knowledge or it might be very practically based. There
would normally be some form of assessment or test at the end of the training process.
Training Cycle
The process that determines the need for training, designs and delivers the training and
evaluates its effectiveness.
Training Gap
Where future standards for knowledge and skills are compared to existing standards to
determine level of training needed.
RRC Glossary
Transitional Waters
Are those between the land and sea such as estuaries and river deltas.
Transmissometers (or Opacity Monitors)

Are based on the determination of the optical transmission of a beam of light as it passes
through an air stream containing particulate material. Due to scattering and absorption the light
beam will be reduced in intensity.
The more particulate matter present in the air stream then the more opaque the air stream will
be to light transmission (the more particulate matter present in the gas stream the less light will
be transmitted) such that:
% transmittance = 100 - % opacity
Treaty
“A formally concluded and ratified agreement between States”. Treaties are also known as
primary European Community legislation.
Trespasser
In connection with trespass to land, an individual who is not invited onto a person’s land.
RRC Glossary
-U-
Ulceration
The formation or development of an ulcer.
Ultra Vires
Literally means “beyond the powers” and is usually applied in a legal context to denote actions
by an organisation or person that exceed their powers, thus making such actions unlawful.
UN Number
A four-digit short code assigned to each entry in the list of dangerous goods (which is usually
organised in UN numerical order), e.g. petrol (gasoline or motor spirit) is assigned UN number
1203. The numbers have no systematic meaning in themselves, except that anything starting
with a zero is in Class 1 (explosives).
Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion

The flammable vapour cloud is not confined; it requires the rapid release of large amounts
(typically at least 5 tonnes) of flammable gas/vapour together with some moderate mixing with
air. Ignition must then occur before the vapour/air mixture has time to dilute below the Lower
Explosive Limit.
Underlying Causes
The reason for the immediate cause, e.g. the guard was removed so that productivity could be
increased to meet targets.
Unfit
The person has a health or fitness problem which will prevent them from doing the job to the
standards required.
Unintended Actions
Actions that are not intended to be carried out, such as slips, lapses and mistakes.
RRC Glossary
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

In simple terms, a UPS is a temporary back-up power supply. It is installed between the
incoming mains power and the critical equipment that requires a constant source of power (or
requires power to always be available), such as process controllers, monitoring equipment,
alarms and automatic shut down devices. UPSs are usually battery-powered and, should the
mains power fail, the UPS takes over straight away, supplying power for a limited period
(depending on battery life). The UPS may also send an alert or sound an alarm to alert
personnel to the power outage so that appropriate action can be taken (such as bringing a
separate power generator online or executing a controlled shut down).
Unsafe Acts
Hazardous work practices.
Unsafe Conditions
Hazardous workplace conditions that may lead to harm or danger.
Upper Explosive Limit

Upstream Oil and Gas Industry

Those activities associated with exploration, extraction and production of crude oil and gas.
Use
“...any activity involving work equipment...includes starting, stopping, programming, setting,
transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning.” Source: PUWER 1998
RRC Glossary
-V-
Vapour Density
Mass of vapour per unit volume or relative vapour density (density of the vapour relative to air).
Indicates whether a flammable vapour is likely to rise in the air or, more commonly, sink and
accumulate in low-lying areas.
Vapour Pressure
The pressure exerted by a vapour when the liquid and vapour are in equilibrium (such as in a
closed vessel). It increases with temperature and a high vapour pressure at a given temperature
means that the liquid is very volatile and more likely to produce a flammable vapour.
Vapours
Are the gaseous state of materials that are liquid at normal temperature and pressure. Mists are
formed when vapours condense and are composed of very fine droplets in the range 0.01 to
10.0 microns. Droplets are normally generated by mechanical action on static or flowing liquids,
but may form by the further condensation and coalescence of mist. Droplets normally sediment
out of the air stream. However, under certain conditions, evaporation from the droplet surface
may result in the formation of mists.
Vascular
Related to blood vessels.
Ventricular Fibrilation
An abnormal heart rhythm, a type of cardiac arrest, which prevents the pumping of blood in the
lower chambers of the heart. The patient is unconscious and will die unless emergency
intervention (defibrillation) is undertaken.
Very Toxic
This produces serious acute or chronic ill-health, or death at very small doses.
Vicarious Liability
A doctrine of English law wherein one party may be held liable for the wrongful acts of another,
e.g. an employer may be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of an employee,
provided that, at the time of the alleged negligent act, the employee was acting in the course of
his employment.
Violation
A deliberate deviation from a rule, instruction or procedure.
RRC Glossary
Violence at Work
Includes verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. The definition of violence at work adopted
here is: “Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances
relating to their work.”
Virus
An organism that can multiply in living cells and cause infection or disease.
Viscous
Of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky.
Visitor
Visitors to a premises may be classed as those who have an explicit right to be there, e.g. invited
as a guest, or an implicit right to be there, e.g. postman delivering a letter, enforcement officers,
etc. (in relation to OLA 1957 and 1984).
Visor
A movable part of a helmet protecting the face, especially the eyes; mask.
Vocational Rehabilitation
A process to overcome the obstacles and barriers an individual faces when returning to,
remaining in or accessing work following injury, illness or impairment. It includes procedures to
support the individual, employer or others and those required for gaining access to other
services.
Volatile
This describes a liquid which evaporates or turns into a vapour easily under normal workplace
conditions. Where such a liquid is being used there is always a risk that its concentration in the
air may build up rapidly, perhaps giving rise to a fire risk if the vapour is flammable or a health
risk if it is toxic or narcotic.
Volatility
A measure of the tendency of a substance to vaporise.
RRC Glossary
-W-
Waste
Is any substance or object that is discarded, intended to be discarded or required to be
discarded (including for recycling or in-house treatment).
Water Catchments
Areas of land which drain water, from rain, snow, etc., into a single water body such as a river
and its tributaries.
Weil’s Disease
See Leptospirosis.
Well-being
“A state of being with others, where human needs are met, where one can act meaningfully to
pursue one's goals, and where one enjoys a satisfactory quality of life.” (Source: Economic and
Social Research Council.)
White Paper
In the UK Parliamentary system, a document used to state government policy. The documents
provide the factual basis Parliamentary debate.
Whole-Body Vibration (WBV)

Can be defined as “shaking or jolting of the human body through a supporting surface”.
Winch
Powerful type of hoist or hauling machine; reel or roller.
Wiring Regulations
Published by the Institute of Engineering Technology (the IET, formerly the IEE), BS7671: 2008,
17TH Edition is the UK’s national standard for low voltage electrical systems (i.e. up to 1000
volts). ‘The Regs’ as they are commonly known, do not apply to systems operating at higher
voltages, nor do they apply to equipment on vehicles, systems for public electricity supply and
explosion protection.
RRC Glossary
Work Equipment
Is “any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool, installation or assembly arranged and controlled
to function as a whole (e.g. bottling plant) for use at work (whether exclusively or not)”. It
includes equipment provided by an employer and tools brought in by employees (but excludes
privately owned vehicles). ‘Use’ covers any activity at work, including starting, stopping,
programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning.
Work at Height
Defined in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 as:
• “work in any place, including a place at or below ground level;
• obtaining access to or egress from such a place while at work, except by a staircase in a
permanent workplace;
• where, if measures required by these Regulations were not taken, a person could fall a
distance liable to cause personal injury.”
Work-Related Ill-Health
Adverse and often long-term poor health due to work activities.
Work-Related Stress
The HSE in the UK defines work-related stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive
pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work”.
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work expands upon this by stating that “people
experience stress when they perceive that there is an imbalance between the demands made of
them and the resources they have available to cope with those demands”.
Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD)

Temporary or permanent injuries of the hand, arm or wrist which include Repetitive Strain
Injuries (RSIs). Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs) arise from ordinary movements, such as repetitive
gripping, twisting, reaching or moving. The disorders are created by prolonged repetition, often
in a forceful and awkward manner, without sufficient rest or recovery time. Typical effects
include:
• Inflammation of the tendon, muscle tendon junction or tendon sheath (tenosynovitis).

• Inflammation of the tissue of the hand (elbow or knee), caused by constant bruising or
friction (“beat” conditions).
• Compression of the peripheral nerves serving the upper limb (carpal tunnel syndrome).
• Temporary fatigue, stiffness or soreness of the muscles.
RRC Glossary
Working Party
Groups of supervisors or front-line managers who meet to discuss how to implement strategies
set by steering group and feedback on progress.
Worklessness
The situation of those people of working age who are not working, including those actively and
not actively looking for work.
Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL)

WELs are Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) set under Regulation 7 of COSHH and are listed
in the HSE publication EH40: Workplace Exposure Limits. WELs can be viewed as a maximum or
ceiling concentration of an airborne substance to which employees may be exposed by
inhalation, averaged over a reference period.
Workplace Inspection
A workplace inspection involves someone walking round a part of the premises, looking for
hazards or non-compliance with legislation, rules or safe practice, and taking notes. The task is
made easier and more methodical if a checklist is used.
RRC Glossary
-X-
There are no entries under X.
RRC Glossary
-Y-
Young Persons
Defined in MHSWR as anyone under the age of 18.
RRC Glossary
-Z-
Zoonoses
Infectious diseases that can be transmitted between species. In the context of occupational
health, this is most frequently referred to as meaning transmission between animals and
humans.

RRC Glossary

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RRC Glossary

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2 017 E D I T I O N

Active Fire Protection (AFP)

Acute Health Conditions

Air Emissions Standards

Airborne Contaminant Monitoring

Approved Code of Practice (ACoP)

Assigned Protection Factor (APF)

Auto Ignition Temperature

Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO)

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE)

Bund Double-Skinned Vessel

Business Continuity Plan

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chemical Health Hazards

Chemical Oxygen Demand

Chronic Health Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Clean Air Acts

Cold Smoke Seal

Confined Vapour Cloud Explosion

Construction Phase Plan

Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM)

Injury may be caused through:

Coupling and Uncoupling

Cumulative Trauma Disorder

Dangerous Parts of Machinery

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Double Block and Blood

Downstream Oil and Gas Industry

• Competent and safety-conscious co-workers.

Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP)

2. Acronym for the ‘Eco-Management and Audit Scheme’ (established by EC Regulation

Emergency Action Code (EAC)

Emergency Control Centre (ECC)

Emergency Shut Down (ESD)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Management System (EMS)

Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIS)

Environmental Statement (ES)

European (EU) Directives

European (EU) Regulations

European (EU) Treaties

Exposure Action Value

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Fall Arrest Equipment

Fall Restraint Equipment

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Fire Alarm Systems

• By sensing heat - actual temperature or the rate of temperature rise.

• Starvation - a reduction in the concentration of the fuel.

Fire Risk Assessment

Fire Safety Log Book

Fire Spread Control

Fixed Fire-fighting Equipment

Fixed Roof Tanks

Flammable Gas Detectors

Flammable, Highly Flammable and Extremely Flammable

Floating Roof Tanks

Floating Storage and Offloading Unit (FSO)

Floating Storage Unit (FSU)

Fusion Heat Detector

Global Warming Potential