Glossary

ACoP : Approved Code of Practice

Acute : An immediate health effect. For example, burns to the skin from acids or chemicals. Adhesive. A substance used for sticking things together.

Abrasive wheel machine : A machine, such as a bench-mounted grinder or a disc-cutter, which is used for cutting or grinding materials.

Allergy : A damaging reaction of the body caused by contact with a particular substance.

Asbestos : A naturally occurring, heat-resistant substance that was once used extensively in construction work. Breathing in asbestos fibres is harmful to the lungs.

Asthma : An illness that causes difficulty in breathing.

Bacteria : Germs that can cause some illnesses.

Barrier cream : A protective cream applied to your hands before starting work.

Bracing : Scaffold poles that make a scaffold rigid.

Brick-guard : A metal mesh fitted to a scaffold to prevent anything from falling through the gaps between the guard-rails and toe-board.

BS : British Standards.

BSI : British Standards Institution.

Cable ramp : A temporary cover laid over a trailing cable to protect it from damage by people or traffic passing over it.

Carcinogen : Substances that can lead to cancer (cancer-causing agents). For example, asbestos and diesel exhaust fumes.

CCTV : Closed circuit television.

CDM : Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

Cherry picker : A type of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) on which a passenger carrying basket is located on the end of an articulating or extending arm.

Chronic : Long-term effects on health. For example, developing asthma from wood dust, or cancer from asbestos exposure

Consultation : The action or process of formally consulting or discussing (for example, a manager asking you for your input whilst carrying out a risk assessment).

Control measure : Putting measures in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level (for example, guarding on a machine).

COSHH : Control of substances hazardous to health.

CPCS : Construction Plant Competence Scheme.

Crush injuries : Injuries caused by something crushing a part of the body.

CSCS : Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

Distribution system (electrical) : The method that is used to get electrical supplies to where they are needed on site.

Double-handling : Having to move something twice.

EA : Environment Agency.

Edge protection : A framework of scaffold poles or other suitable barrier erected around an open edge to stop anything from falling over the edge.

EMAS : Employment Medical Advisory Service.

Employee : Someone who works for someone else.

Employer : Someone who has people working for him or her.

FRS : Fire and Rescue Service.

HAVS : Hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Hazard : Anything that has the potential to cause harm (ill health, injury or damage).

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) : Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA).

HFL : Health and Safety Executive.

HSE : Health and Safety Executive.

HSE inspector : An official who can inspect the site and take action if work is not being carried out safely.

Lanyard : A length of fabric that connects a safety harness with a fixed strong-point.

Ligament : A band of tough body tissue that connects bones or cartilage.

LOLER : Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations.

LPG : Liquefied petroleum gas.

Method statement : A step by step description of how to carry out a job safely.

MEWP : Mobile elevating work platform.

NVQ : National Vocational Qualification.

PAT : Portable appliance testing.

Permit to work : A system used for controlling high-risk activities (such as working on live electrical cables) or where activities need extra controls (such as hot works, confined space entry and breaking ground (permits to dig)).

PPE : Personal protective equipment.

PUWER : Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

RCD : Residual current device.

RIDDOR : Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

Risk : The likelihood of an event occurring from a hazard.

Risk assessment : A document identifying the hazards, risks and control measures for a particular activity.

RPE : Respiratory protective equipment.

Scissor lift. : A type of MEWP with a platform that rises vertically.

Slewing : Part of an item of plant (such as the jib and counter-weight of a crane), rotating about a vertical axis.

Solvent : Chemical used to dissolve or dilute other substances.

Tripping hazard : Items lying around that you might trip over.

Ventilated : Supplied with fresh air.

WBV : Whole-body vibration.

WEL : Workplace exposure limit.

WWT : Working Well Together.