Issued: / XXX
Next Review: / XXX
Airborne contaminant / Means a contaminant in the form of a fume, mist, gas, vapour or dust, and includes micro-organisms.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p27]
Agreed procedure / Anagreed process or outline of the steps involved in resolving WHS issues in the workplace.
[as defined in the Worker Representation and Participation Guide, p.31]
ALARP / As Low As Reasonably Practicable.
Asbestos / Means the asbestiform varieties of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock forming minerals including the following:
(a)Actinolite asbestos.
(b)Grunerite (or amosite) asbestos (brown).
(c)Anthophyllite asbestos.
(d)Chrysotile asbestos (white).
(e)Crocidolite asbestos (blue).
(f)Tremolite asbestos.
(g)A mixture that contains 1 or more of the minerals referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f).
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p28]
Assembly area(s) / The designated place or places where people assemble during the course of an evacuation.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities]
Assessment Team / Manager or delegate and worker(s) and their representative, where there is one, involved in the activity being assessed.
Atmospheric monitoring / The continuous measurement of oxygen concentration or airborne contaminants over an uninterrupted period of time [as defined by Australian Standard AS 2865: Confined Spaces].
Authorised person / A nominated person with PCBU approval to issue permits for isolation, lock out, tag out activities.
Bomb threat / A threat, written or verbal, delivered by electronic, oral, or other medium, threatening to place or use an explosive, chemical, biological, or radiological device at a time, date, place or against a specific person or organization. It is not necessary for any other action to be taken by the offender.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities]
Bulk / In relation to a hazardous chemical, means any quantity of a hazardous chemical that is—
(a)In a container with a capacity exceeding 500 litres or net mass of more than 500 kilograms; or
(b)If the hazardous chemical is a solid—an undivided quantity exceeding 500 kilograms.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.30]
Burn Injury Module / Burn Injury Module is an extra module that can be added to a First Aid Kit where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of a serious burn.
Chemical identity / Means a name, in accordance with the nomenclature systems of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or the Chemical Abstracts Service, or a technical name, that gives a chemical a unique identity.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.30]
Close out / The completion of the implementation of the corrective action.
Competent person / (a)For electrical work on energised electrical equipment or energised electrical installations, other than testing referred to in regulations 150 and 165, a person registered to undertake the work under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995;
(b)For any other case, a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience and the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 4, p. 31].
Commissioning / In relation to plant, means performing necessary adjustments, tests and inspections to ensure that the plant is in full working order to specified requirements, and includes recommissioning.
Communication / Is the imparting or exchange of information by speaking, writing or using some other medium
[Oxford Dictionary 2012]
Confined space / Confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that—
(a)is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and
(b)is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and
(c)is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from—
- An atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or
- Contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or
- Harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or
- Engulfment,
[as defined by WHS Regulations, 2012, Regulation 5 p. 32]
Conformance / Activities undertaken and results achieved to fulfil the specified requirements of the elements.
[as defined by the WorkCover SA Performance Standards for Self Insurers]
Construction work / Means any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012 (289)(1)]
But does not include the following:
(a)The manufacture of plant.
(b)The prefabrication of elements, other than at a place specifically established for the construction work, for use in construction work.
(c)The construction or assembly of a structure that once constructed or assembled is intended to be transported to another place.
(d)Testing, maintenance or repair work of a minor nature carried out in connection with a structure.
(e)Mining or the exploration for or extraction of minerals.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012 (289(3)]
Consultation / Consultation under the WHS Act 2012 requires that:
(a)relevant information about the matter is shared with workers; and
(b)workers be given a reasonable opportunity—
- to express their views and to raise work health or safety issues in relation to the matter; and
- to contribute to the decision-making process relating to the matter; and
(d)the workers consulted are advised of the outcome of the consultation in a timely manner.
If the workers are represented by a HSR, the consultation must involve that HSR
[as defined by the WHS Act 2012,Part 5 Division 2 (48)]
Consumer product / Means a thing that—
(a)Is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household consumer or for use in an office; and
(b)If the thing is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household consumer - is packed in a way and quantity in which it is intended to be used by a household consumer; and
(c)If the thing is packed or repacked primarily for use in an office - is packed in a way and quantity in which it is intended to be used for office work.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.32]
Consumer quantities / Means those hazardous chemicals purchased in quantities primarily for use by a household or office and where it is reasonably foreseeable that they will only be used in the work environment in:
(a)Quantities that are consistent with household use; or
(b)A way that is consistent with household use; and
(c)A way that is incidental to the nature of the work carried out by a worker using the hazardous chemical.
Container / In relation to a hazardous chemical, means anything in, or by which, a hazardous chemical is, or has been, wholly or partly covered, enclosed or packed, including anything necessary for the container to perform its function as a container.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.32]
Contaminant / Means any substance that may be harmful to WHS.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations, 2012, p. 33]
Continuous Improvement / Process of enhancing WHS and rehabilitation and claims management systems to achieve improvements in overall related performance, in line with the organisation’s policies. The process need not take place in all areas simultaneously.
[as defined by the WorkCoverSA Performance Standards for Self Insurers]
Contractor / An individual, company or other legal entity that carries out work or performs services under a contract for service. This includes sub-contractors.
Corrective Action / Action to eliminate the cause of or to control an identified non-conformance
Danger tag / Danger tags are used for the duration of the electrical work to warn persons at the workplace. A danger tag does not perform the isolation function.
[as defined in the COP: Managing electrical risks in the workplace July 2012, p. 31].
Dangerous incident / An incident in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker, or any other person, to a serious risk to a person's WHS emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to—
(a)an uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of a substance; or
(b)an uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire; or
(c)an uncontrolled escape of gas or steam; or
(d)an uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance; or
(e)electric shock; or
(f)the fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing; or
(g)the collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction of, or damage to, any plant that is required to be authorised for use in accordance with the regulations; or
(h)the collapse or partial collapse of a structure; or
(i)the collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation; or
(j)the inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
(k)the interruption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
(l)any other event prescribed by the regulations
[as defined by the Work Health and Safety Act 2012: Section 37]
Designated hot work area / Is a work area that is specifically designed for hot work activities, such as engineering workshop welding bays.
Electrical equipment / Means any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire that is:
(a)Used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming or transmitting electricity at a voltage greater than extra-low voltage; or
(b)Operated by electricity at a voltage greater than extra-low voltage; or
(c)Part of an electrical installation located in an area in which the atmosphere presents a risk to health and safety from fire or explosion; or
(d)Or is part of, an active impressed current cathodic protection system within the meaning of AS 2832.1:2004 Cathodic protection of metals - Pipes and cables.
Electrical equipmentdoes not include any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire that is part of a motor vehicle if the:
(a)Equipment is part of a unit of the vehicle that provides propulsion for the vehicle; or
(b)Electricity source for the equipment is a unit of the vehicle that provides propulsion for the vehicle.
Motor vehiclemeans a vehicle that is built to be propelled by a motor that forms part of the vehicle.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012 (144)]
Electrical installation / Means a group of items of electrical equipment that:
(a)Are permanently electrically connected together; and
(b)Can be supplied with electricity from the works of an electricity supply authority or from a generating source.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012 (145)]
Electrical plant / Means plant which consumes, converts or generates electricity.
[as defined by the WHSW Regulations, 1995]
Electrical work / Means—
(a)Connecting electricity supply wiring to electrical equipment or disconnecting electricity supply wiring from electrical equipment; or
(b)Installing, removing, adding, testing, replacing, repairing, altering or maintaining electrical equipment or an electrical installation.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012 (146)(1) and subject to the exclusions contained in WHS Regulations 2012, (146)(2)]
Emergency / An event that arises internally, or from external sources, which may adversely affect the occupant or visitors in a facility, and which requires an immediate response.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities]
Emergency control point / The location from which the chief warden can establish control, communication and coordination and liaise with the Emergency Services
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities, p.22]
Emergency control organization (ECO) / A person or persons appointed by the emergency planning committee (EPC) to direct and control the implementation of the facility’s emergency response procedures and consists of:
(a)A chief warden or equivalent, as a minimum.
The following positions shall be included if they are deemed necessary by the EPC:
(a)Deputy chief warden
(b)A communications officer and deputy
(c)Floor/ area wardens and deputies
(d)Wardens and deputies.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities]
Emergency planning committee (EPC) / Persons responsible for the documentation and maintenance of an emergency plan.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010: Planning for emergencies in facilities]
Emergency warning & intercommunication system (EWIS) / A combined emergency warning and intercommunication system for both way communication and control during an emergency.
The EWIS system has two components, the:
(a)public address system, which also generates the evacuation signals; and
(b)warden intercom phones.
Energised (live) / Means connected to a source of electrical supply or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltages.
[as defined by the COP: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace July 2012, p. 50]
Energy source / The different kinds of energy sources include, but are not limited to:
- Electrical, i.e. mains.
- Battery or capacitor banks.
- Solar panels.
- Fuels.
- Heat.
- Steam.
- Fluids or gases under pressure, i.e. water, steam or hydraulic oil.
- Stored energy, e.g. compressed springs.
- Gravity.
- Radiation.
Engulfment / Engulfment means to be swallowed up in or be immersed by material, which may result in asphyxiation.
[as defined in the COP: Confined Spaces December 2011, p. 12]
Entry (to a confined space) / Entry by a person into a confined space means the person's head or upper body is in the confined space or within the boundary of the confined space.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations, 2012, p. 35].
NOTE: Inserting an arm for the purpose of atmospheric testing is not considered an entry to a confined space.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 2865: Safe working in a confined space].
Entry permit / A PCBU at a workplace must not direct aworker to enter a confined space to carry out work unless the person has issued aconfined space entry permit for the work.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations, 2012, (67)]
A confined space entry permit provides a formal check to ensure all elements of a safe system of work are in place before people are allowed to enter the confined space. It also provides a means of communication between site management, supervisors and those carrying out the work and makes sure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has checked and authorised the entry to the confined space and it is safe to proceed.
[as defined in the COP: Confined Spaces December 2011, p. 20]
Exposure standard / When related to chemicals, means an exposure standard as recorded in Appendix A of the Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants, which represents the airborne concentration of a particular substance or mixture that must not be exceeded. The exposure standard can be of three forms:
(a)8-hour time-weighted average.
(b)Peak limitation.
(c)Short term exposure limit.
Facility / A building, structure or workplace that is, or may be, occupied by people, occupants.
[as defined by Australian Standard AS 3745-2010, p.9]
Fall / Means a fall by a person from one level to another.
[as defined COP: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, Dec 2011 p. 4]
Fire risk hazardous chemical / Means a hazardous chemical that burns readily or supports combustion and is a/an:
(a)Flammable gas.
(b)Flammable liquid, hazard category 1 to 3.
(c)Flammable solid.
(d)Chemical liable to spontaneous combustion.
(e)Chemical, which in contact with water, emits flammable gases.
(f)Oxidizing chemical.
(g)Organic peroxide; and
(h)Burns readily or supports combustion.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.36]
First aid / The immediate treatment or care given to someone suffering from an injury or illness until more advanced care is accessed or they recover.
First aider / A person with the designated duty to provide first aid in the workplace who has attended training and has an appropriate and current statement/s of attainment.
First aid facilities / The physical resources provided at a workplace to ensure the timely provision of appropriate first aid to a person who suffers an injury or illness while at the workplace. The most common type of facility is a first aid kit but in high risk workplaces other facilities may include:
(a)Deluge facility;
(b)Automated external defibrillator;
(c)Oxygen equipment;
(d)First aid rooms; or
(e)Occupational health services.
First aid kits / These kits are designed to provide basic equipment for the provision of first aid for injuries and illness such as:
(a)Cardiac arrest;
(b)Cuts, scratches, punctures, grazes, splinters and animal bites;
(c)Minor burns;
(d)Amputations and/or major bleeding wounds;
(e)Broken bones; and
(f)Eye injuries.
GHS / Means the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Third revised edition, published by the United Nations as modified under Schedule 6.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.37]
Hazard / Anything that has the potential to cause injury or illness.
[as defined by Approved Code of Practice How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks]
Hazardous area / An area in which flammable liquids, vapours or gases, combustible liquids or other flammable or explosive substances may be present. A normally safe area, into which a tank, container or equipment containing flammable or combustible liquids, gases or vapours has been brought, may become a hazardous area.
[as defined by AS 1647.1 Safety in Welding and Allied Processes – Part 1: Fire Precautions 1997, p. 5].
Hazardous chemical/s / Means a substance, chemical, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria for a hazard class in the GHS, including a classification referred to in Schedule 6, but does not include a chemical, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria solely for one of the following hazard classes:
(a)Acute toxicity—oral—category 5;
(b)Acute toxicity—dermal—category 5;
(c)Acute toxicity—inhalation—category 5;
(d)Skin corrosion/irritation—category 3;
(e)Serious eye damage/eye irritation—category 2B;
(f)Aspiration hazard—category 2;
(g)Flammable gas—category 2;
(h)Acute hazard to the aquatic environment—category 1, 2 or 3;
(i)Chronic hazard to the aquatic environment—category 1, 2, 3 or 4;
(j)Hazardous to the ozone layer;
Note - The Schedule 6 tables in the WHS Regulations replace some tables in the GHS.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulation 5, p.38]
Hazardous chemicals that are consumer products / If a hazardous chemical is a consumer product and it is reasonably foreseeable that the hazardous chemical will be used at the workplace only in -
(a)Quantities that are consistent with household use; or
(b)A way that is consistent with household use; and
(c)A way that is incidental to the nature of the work carried out by a worker using the hazardous chemical.
Then a safety data sheet is not required, and subsequently the hazardous chemical does not need to be added to the Hazardous Chemical Register.
[as defined by the WHS Regulations 2012, Regulations 344(4)(c) and 346(4)(b)].
Hazardous manual task / A task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing that involves one or more of the following:
(a)Repetitive or sustained force.
(b)High or sudden force.
(c)Repetitive movement.
(d)Sustained or awkward posture.
(e)Exposure to vibration.
Examples—
(a)A task requiring a person to restrain live animals.
(b)A task requiring a person to lift or move loads that are unstable or unbalanced or are difficult to grasp or hold.
(c)A task requiring a person to sort objects on a conveyor belt.
[as defined in the WHS Regulations, 2012, Regulation 5, p. 38]