Looks like you're on the English site. Choose another location to see content specific to your location
Book Demo
Contact Login
Book Demo

Health and Safety Glossary

Get to know some of the most common terms of the industry with our ABCs of health and safety. Click a letter in the bar below to jump to that section.

Index

ASTM Standards Meaning & Definition

ASTM International develops and publishes standards for a variety of different industries, with the overarching aim of improving performance and safety.
Learn more

Asbestos-Containing Materials Meaning & Definition

Asbestos and asbestos-containing materials have been historically used in buildings and construction work throughout the best part of the 20th century.
Learn more

Acute Exposure Meaning & Definition from EcoOnline

Acute exposure refers to excessive contact with a substance. Depending on a person’s own weight and health, exposure to different dosages may be harmful.
Learn more

Accident Prevention Meaning & Definition

Accident prevention is an umbrella term that focuses on the activities, plans, and steps taken by an organization to reduce the risk of accidents.
Learn more

Business Continuity Management Meaning & Definition

Business continuity management is the process of developing a plan so your business can continue to operate in the event of an unexpected disruption.
Learn more

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards refer to any organism or substance that poses a threat to human health. Typically, they come from living organisms or byproducts of their activities.
Learn more

Behavioural Safety Meaning & Definition

Behavioural safety is ‘the proactive identification and control of human factors that could lead to unsafe acts or conditions.’
Learn more

Corrosive Meaning & Definition

“Corrosive” refers to materials which can destroy other materials they come into contact with. Most corrosives are bases, oxidizers, or acids.
Learn more

Construction Phase Plan (CPP) Meaning & Definition

All construction projects require a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) before work begins. It’s an important document for managing the project safely.
Learn more

Confined Space Meaning & Definition

A confined space is any space that offers limited entry and exit points, and is generally not designed to accommodate humans.
Learn more

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Meaning & Definition

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are generally a mixture of chemicals that are commonly used as a refrigerant.
Learn more

Chemical Identity Meaning & Definition

Chemical identity is the concept that each chemical or substance has a distinct property that separates it from other chemicals.
Learn more

Chemical Exposure

Chemical exposure occurs when a worker comes into contact with any substance that can cause harm to their health. These may include liquids, gases, solids, or even dusts that can be inhaled. 
Learn more

CE marking Meaning & Definition

The CE marking, also known as the Conformitè Europëenne Mark (which translates to European Conformity) is a mandatory conformity marking required in the European Union for regulating the sale of goods throughout the European Economic Area.
Learn more

CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Meaning & Definition

The CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) is an international not-for-profit charity that runs the worlds largest environmental disclosure system.
Learn more

Dynamic Risk Assessment Meaning & Definition

Dynamic risk assessment (DRA) is a process for assessing risks that takes into account the constantly changing nature of the world around us.
Learn more

DOT Hazard Classification Meaning & Definition

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has specified clear rules for shipping hazardous goods and materials.
Learn more

ESG Meaning & Definition

Environmental social governance, or ESG, is a set of standards for measuring the sustainability and ethical impact of businesses and organisations.
Learn more

Ergonomics Meaning & Definition

Ergonomics is a holistic term that refers to the process of arranging a workplace in a way that makes it easy for people to use it.
Learn more

Ergonomic Hazards Meaning & Definition

An ergonomic hazard refers to any physical condition or factor found in the workplace that can cause injury or health concerns.
Learn more

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a vital process used to determine the possible environmental effects of a proposed project and analyze ways to mitigate those effects. 
Learn more

Emergency Response Plan

Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. 
Learn more

Emergency Evacuation

Emergencies can strike anytime and unexpectedly. Natural disasters, fires, chemical spills, and even terrorist attacks can cause situations where an immediate evacuation becomes necessary. 
Learn more

Electrical Safety

Electrical safety is crucial to ensure a secure and healthy working environment for employees who work with electronic equipment. 
Learn more

EHSQ Meaning & Definition

EHSQ systems help businesses identify risks and take steps to mitigate them before they cause harm.
Learn more

Ecological Footprint Meaning & Definition

The ecological footprint is a method that determines how dependent humans are on natural resources.
Learn more

Flammability Meaning & Definition

Flammability is a measure of how quickly a specific material is capable of catching fire and burning.
Learn more

First Aid Meaning & Definition

First aid is the term for the immediate medical care provided to someone after an injury occurs, usually at the same location where the event takes place.
Learn more

Fire Safety Plan

A fire safety plan is a document that outlines all aspects of fire prevention procedures, evacuation procedures, and policies for responding to a fire.
Learn more

Fire Risk Assessment Meaning & Definition

A fire risk assessment is the evaluation of a workplace to identify fire hazards, assess the likelihood of a fire occurring, and analyse any consequences
Learn more

Fall Protection

Accidents related to fall protection are one of the most common causes of non-fatal workplace accidents. 
Learn more

Fall Arrest System

A fall arrest system is a safety system that consists of different components designed to protect workers from falls.
Learn more

Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) Definition

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a method that involves evaluating various systems and components to identify how a failure might occur.
Learn more

Hydrofluoric Acid Meaning & Definition

Hydrofluoric acid is different from other types of acids because of the fluoride ion, which easily penetrates the skin and starts damaging body tissue.
Learn more

HSEQ Meaning & Definition

HSEQ is an management system that outlines the best practices for organizations to ensure a safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly working environment
Learn more

Hot Work Permit

A hot work permit is a document that authorizes hot work in a controlled manner. The permit provides a systematic process that identifies and controls potential hazards from hot work.
Learn more

Heat Exhaustion Meaning & Definition

Heat exhaustion is a serious condition or illness that often manifests after an individual is exposed to extremely high temperatures.
Learn more

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Meaning & Definition

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) is an approach designed to manage and control workplace hazards, environmental risks, and employee well-being
Learn more

Health Hazard Meaning & Definition

In occupational health and safety, a health hazard refers to any substance or a chemical that might prove to be dangerous if exposed to individuals.
Learn more

Health and Safety Audit Meaning & Definition

A health and safety audit is an assessment of a company’s systems, procedures, and policies related to employee health and safety to ensure compliance with current regulations.
Learn more

Health & Safety Terms – Glossary from EcoOnline

Get to know some of the most common terms of the industry with our ABCs of health and safety. Click a letter in the bar to jump to that section.
Learn more

HAZWOPER Meaning & Definition

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, also known as HAZPOWER, is a comprehensive series of guidelines that are regularly maintained by OSHA.
Learn more

Hazardous Waste Meaning & Definition

Hazardous waste is defined as waste that is hazardous to human health, mainly because it contains toxic chemicals or substances
Learn more

Hazardous Waste Management

Hazardous waste management is an essential but often overlooked aspect of environmental health and safety. 
Learn more

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials are substances, materials, and products that can pose a risk to human health, safety, and the environment.
Learn more

Hazardous Event Meaning & Definition

A hazardous event is described as any situation that leads to the creation of a hazard or exacerbates the impact of existing hazards.
Learn more

Hazard Meaning & Definition

A hazard is defined as anything that can be a potential source of harm, or that could have an adverse health effect on those who come into contact with it.
Learn more

Hazard Communication

Hazard communication is the process of identifying and communicating potential hazards and risks associated with chemicals and other hazardous materials in the workplace.
Learn more

Inhalation Meaning & Definition

Inhalation is the process by which other gases or air enter your lungs. Inhalation is a vital process in breathing that is critical for sustaining life.
Learn more

Incident Investigation Meaning & Definition

An incident is a situation or an occurrence during the course of work that could result in an injury, illness, affliction, or prove to be fatal.
Learn more

Job Hazard Analysis

As an EHS team member, your primary responsibility is to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. 
Learn more

Lost Time Injury

Lost time injuries are a vital benchmark for any organization concerned with the health and safety of its employees.
Learn more

Liquefied Gas Meaning & Definition

Liquefied gasses are gases that are in a liquid state at normal room temperature and stored in cylinders under pressure.
Learn more

Mutagen Meaning & Definition

A mutagen is defined as any chemical or physical agent that has the ability to permanently alter a victim’s DNA.
Learn more

Musculoskeletal Disorders Meaning & Definition

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a set of conditions that cause serious pain, mainly in the musculoskeletal system, like nerves, tendons, and muscles.
Learn more

Material Safety Data Sheet Meaning & Definition

The material safety data sheet provides handlers and employees with relevant information about the materials and what they can be exposed to.
Learn more

Manual Handling

Manual handling is a crucial aspect of many jobs, particularly in industrial workplaces, warehouses, construction sites, and healthcare facilities.
Learn more

Management of Change Meaning & Definition

Change is expected in virtually every business, irrespective of its size. Management of change (MOC) is a method designed to deal with the change.
Learn more

Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Definition

Maintenance, repair, and operations, or MRO, includes all the activities performed by the facility to ensure that all equipment remains in good condition.
Learn more

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Meaning & Definition

A person’s ability to hear is one of five major senses. Hearing loss therefore, even minimal, can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life.
Learn more

Near Miss Meaning & Definition

A near miss is defined by the HSE as any event that doesn’t lead to harm but does have the potential to cause illness or injury.
Learn more

Occupational Illness Meaning & Definition

An occupational illness is defined as a chronic illness or disease that is caused primarily due to exposure to a workplace hazard.
Learn more

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) | Glossary

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an area of public medicine that primarily focuses on the safety, health, and welfare of employees at work.
Learn more

Occupational Health (OH) Meaning & Definition

Occupational health (OH) primarily focuses on maintaining the physical, mental, and the social health of employees in different occupations.
Learn more

Occupational Exposure Limit

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) are guidelines developed by regulatory bodies to promote worker safety and prevent the harmful effects of chemical exposure in the workplace. 
Learn more

Process Safety Management

Process safety management is a vital element of employee and environmental protection in industrial processes. 
Learn more

Preventive Maintenance Meaning & Definition

Preventive maintenance (PM) is the routine maintenance of different assets, equipment and machinery to ensure smooth operations and reduce any unplanned equipment failures.
Learn more

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Meaning & Definition

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a common term that refers to the inspection and examination of electrical machinery and equipment to determine if they are operating at maximum effectiveness and if they are safe to use.
Learn more

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Meaning & Definition

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs for short, are a category of synthetic organic chemicals that contain hydrogen, chlorine, and carbon atoms.
Learn more

Plan, Do, Check Act (PDCA)

If you are a part of an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) team or a manager in your organization responsible for implementing EHS management systems, you may have come across the term “PDCA.” 
Learn more

Personal Protective Equipment Meaning & Definition

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a term that defines any piece of clothing or equipment that’s worn by employees to minimize exposure to biological, chemical, or any physical hazards on the worksite.
Learn more

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) | Glossary

A personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) is a dedicated plan for an individual who may require assistance or support to evacuate from the premises in case an emergency arises.
Learn more

Permit to Work Meaning & Definition

Permit to Work systems are commonly used in the Health and Safety industry and are designed to mitigate the risks of safety in high-risk tasks.
Learn more

Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE)

Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) management is a critical aspect of any successful organization, ensuring that the different aspects of your business function together efficiently, responsibly, and safely. 
Learn more

Quality Management System (QMS)

The foundation of a successful and thriving business lies in an organization’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality products and services.
Learn more

Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Meaning & Definition

Risk-based inspection is a business process that’s used to examine equipment, ranging from pressure vessels to the pipes used in industrial plants.
Learn more

Risk Meaning & Definition

Risk is defined as the possibility of a hazard actually causing harm. Companies use various techniques to identify risks and eliminate or mitigate them.
Learn more

Risk Management Meaning & Definition

In terms of Health & Safety, risk management refers to identifying workplace hazards and outlining the steps to be taken to eliminate or mitigate them.
Learn more

Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)

When it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace, particularly those in high-risk industries, a comprehensive understanding of all the necessary precautions and procedures is undeniably crucial. 
Learn more

Risk Assessment Matrix

A risk assessment matrix is essentially a table that contains different levels of severity and likelihood of potential hazards.
Learn more

RIDDOR Meaning & Definition

RIDDOR, or the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, is health and safety law in the UK.
Learn more

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), also known as repetitive stress injuries, are injuries that occur due to the gradual decline of muscle tissue, tendons, and the nerves caused by performing repeated strain.
Learn more

REACH Meaning & Definition

REACH, which is an acronym for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals, is a regulation of the European Union from 2007.
Learn more

Supply Chain Meaning & Definition

Find out all about supply chain monitoring and why they are crucial to your sustainability performance and achieving your goals.
Learn more

Stress Risk Assessment Meaning & Definition

A stress risk assessment is a detailed evaluation of different sources of stress in the workplace.
Learn more

Solvent Meaning & Definition

A solvent is any substance, usually liquid, which is capable of dissolving one or several substances, thus creating a solution.
Learn more

Severity Meaning & Definition

Severity is the degree of hardness of a specific thing. Severity indicates just how serious or harsh the effects of an incident can be.
Learn more

Scope 1 Scope 2 and Scope 3 Emissions Meaning & Definition

Find out all about scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 emissions and why they are crucial to GHG accounting and achieving your climate targets.
Learn more

Scissor Lift Meaning & Definition

A scissor lift is a commonly used piece of equipment often found on construction sites: An aerial platform with a lifting mechanism attached to it.
Learn more

Safety PLC Meaning & Definition

Safety PLC, also known as a safety programmable logic controller, is used to control machinery & equipment, and automate industrial processes.
Learn more

Safety Mitigation Meaning & Definition

Mitigating safety risks in the workplace is the employer’s responsibility. Whether you own a business or are the manager of a plant in a company, it’s important to take proper actions to mitigate safety risks.
Learn more

Safety Management System Meaning & Definition

A safety management system (SMS) is the framework or management approach taken by an organization to mitigate and control safety risk in the workplace.
Learn more

Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Meaning & Definition

A safety instrumented system (SIS) is a system that contains control elements, sensors, and logic solvers to monitor parameters and values of processes within a plant.
Learn more

Safety Equipment

At its most basic level, safety equipment is any device or tool that is designed to protect workers from injury or illness.
Learn more

Safety Compliance Meaning & Definition

Safety compliance is defined as an ongoing process of complying with the health and safety standards established by regulatory legislators and bodies.
Learn more

Safety Audit Meaning & Definition

A safety audit is a process through which businesses collect information about the company’s overall safety culture and protocols.
Learn more

Safety Analysis Risk Assessment (SARA) Meaning & Definition

Safety Analysis Risk Assessment (SARA) is a powerful tool for reducing risk in the workplace.
Learn more

Safe Systems of Work (SSOW)

Workplace safety is at the top of every employer’s list of priorities, and for a good reason. In a safe and healthy work environment, employees can perform at their best without fear of injury or harm. 
Learn more

Toxin Meaning & Definition

A toxin is defined as a naturally occurring organic poison that’s generally produced due to the metabolic activities of an organism or living cells.
Learn more

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration | Glossary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor.
Learn more

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme Meaning & Definition

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is a British company that offers training and qualification verification schemes that are commonly used throughout the construction industry in Britain.
Learn more

The Construction Regulations 2015 Meaning & Definition

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 were introduced by the Health and Safety Executive and focus on the management of health, safety and the general welfare of individuals who work on construction projects.
Learn more

The Bradley Curve Meaning & Definition

The Bradley Curve, also known as the DuPont Bradley model, is a powerful tool that can be used to visualize and assess safety performance in the workplace.
Learn more

Workplace Stress Meaning & Definition

Workplace stress can be defined as the mental & emotional response of the body when employees are under significant pressure due to workplace conditions
Learn more

Workplace Accident Meaning & Definition

A workplace accident, also commonly known as an occupational accident, is an unforeseen event in the workplace that results in an injury to an employee.
Learn more

Working at Height Meaning & Definition

Working at heights refers to any work that is done above ground level, such as on a roof or up a ladder. It can also refer to work done near edges.
Learn more

Young Person’s Risk Assessment

EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of young workers in the workplace while also fostering their growth and development, especially in high-risk workplaces. 
Learn more

“Feedback from employees is that the solution is simple and allows for easy reporting and since implementing, near miss and hazard identification reporting has increased by over 50% (vs. same period in 2019) and is being rolled out across other areas of the GKN Wheels & Structures business.”

GKN 250×150

Andy Jones,
HSE Coordinator & System Administrator, GKN Wheels & Structures

UKI Asset Management Tier 3 Photo And UI 4
Vector-yellow

Are you ready to say goodbye to slow, wasteful manual processes?

If you want to:

  • Increase operational efficiencies
  • Save time with automated data integrations
  • Have a central, accessible location for all safety data

Then request a demo today! 

Be in the know
Access industry-leading information

View all
EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2025
News EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2025
EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2025

January 9, 2025

Post
EcoOnline frees the canary and takes flight with a new, refreshed brand
News worker20in20the20field20in20a20hard20hat-1
EcoOnline frees the canary and takes flight with a new, refreshed brand

November 26, 2024

Post
EU CSRD Readiness Report
News EU20CSRD20Release201200-6
EU CSRD Readiness Report

November 25, 2024

Post
Holiday Hazards Research
News News20release20page20badges2028629-1-1
Holiday Hazards Research

November 25, 2024

Post
How to protect your people against PFAS without impacting your bottom line
Article Food20technicians20working20together20in20a20food20processing20plant-2
How to protect your people against PFAS without impacting your bottom line

October 24, 2024

Post
5 steps to mitigate the risks of PFAS in your organisation
Article Pillar-SDS-Blog-two-workers-in-protective-suits-checking-chemical-2
5 steps to mitigate the risks of PFAS in your organisation

October 24, 2024

Post
West Herts College Selects EcoOnline’s EHS Solution to Streamline Health & Safety Management Across Multiple Campuses
News West20Herts20College20PR20Tile-1
West Herts College Selects EcoOnline’s EHS Solution to Streamline Health & Safety Management Across Multiple Campuses

October 15, 2024

Post
EcoOnline Launches Partner Programme
News News20release20page20badges2028429-3
EcoOnline Launches Partner Programme

October 10, 2024

Post
Mastering EHS: Scaling safety and compliance across complex workplaces
Article Blog20-20Mastering20EHS20-20Header-2
Mastering EHS: Scaling safety and compliance across complex workplaces

October 10, 2024

Post
Preventing Isolation: Ensuring the safety of your frontline lone workers
Article Blog20-20Preventing20Isolation20-20Header-2
Preventing Isolation: Ensuring the safety of your frontline lone workers

October 2, 2024

Post