This page of occupational health and safety Executive is relevant to all branches of industry, business and commerce including traditional industries, information technology companies, the National Health Service, care homes, schools, universities, leisure facilities and offices. Before a detailed discussion of health and safety issues can take place, some basic occupational health and safety def
initions are required:
Health – the protection of the bodies and minds of people from illness resulting from the materials, processes or procedures used in the workplace. The borderline between health and safety is ill-defined and the two words are normally used together to indicate concern for the physical and mental well-being of the individual at the place of work. Environmental protection – arrangements to cover those activities in the workplace which affect the environment (in the form of flora, fauna, water, air and soil) and, possibly, the health and safety of employees and others. Such activities include waste and effluent disposal and atmospheric pollution. Accident – any unplanned event that results in injury or ill health of people, or damage or loss to property, plant, materials or the environment or a loss of a business opportunity. Other authorities define an accident more narrowly by excluding events that do not involve injury or ill health. Near miss – is any incident that could have resulted in an accident. Knowledge of near misses is very important since research has shown that, approximately, for every 10 ‘near miss’ events at a particular location in the workplace, a minor accident will occur. Dangerous occurrence – is a ‘near miss’ which could have led to serious injury or loss of life. Dangerous occurrences are defined in the Reporting of Injuries. Hazard and risk – a hazard is the potential of a substance, activity or process to cause harm. Hazards take many forms including, for example, chemicals, electricity and working from a ladder. A hazard can be ranked relative to other hazards or to a possible level of danger.