Unit- 1 Safety Terminologies

Hazard-Types of Hazard- Risk-Hierarchy of Hazards Control Measures-Lead indicators-

lag Indicators-Flammability- Toxicity Time-weighted Average (TWA) - Threshold Limit
Value (TLV) - Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL)- Immediately dangerous to life or
health (IDLH)- acute and chronic Effects- Routes of Chemical Entry-Personnel
Protective Equipment- Health and Safety Policy-Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS
Safety terminologies encompass a wide range of terms and concepts related to ensuring the
well-being and protection of individuals, assets, and the environment. Here are some key safety
terminologies:
1. Hazard: A potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons.
2. Risk: The likelihood and severity of harm arising from exposure to a hazard.
3. Safety: The condition of being protected from harm, injury, or any other adverse
outcome.
4. Accident: An unplanned event that results in harm or damage.
5. Incident: An unplanned event that may or may not result in harm or damage.
6. Emergency: A situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the
environment, requiring prompt action.
7. Preventive Measures: Actions taken to avoid or minimize the occurrence of hazards
and reduce risks.
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment and clothing designed to protect
individuals from specific hazards, such as gloves, helmets, and safety glasses.
9. Safety Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and attitudes within an organization that
influence how people prioritize and approach safety.
10. Workplace Safety: Measures and practices implemented to ensure the well-being of
employees in the workplace.
11. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): The field concerned with the safety, health,
and welfare of people at work.
12. Risk Assessment: The process of evaluating potential hazards and determining the
associated risks to make informed decisions about mitigating measures.
13. Hierarchy of Controls: A systematic approach to eliminating or reducing hazards,
including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective
equipment.
14. First Aid: Initial assistance or treatment provided to someone who is injured or
suddenly ill before professional medical help arrives.
15. Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A document that provides information about the properties,
hazards, and safe use of a chemical product.
16. Evacuation Plan: A pre-established strategy outlining the procedures for safely leaving
a building or area during an emergency.
17. Near Miss: An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had
the potential to do so.
18. Safety Inspection: A systematic examination of a workplace or process to identify
hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
19. Safety Training: Instruction provided to employees to enhance their knowledge and
skills regarding safety practices and procedures.
20. Safety Regulations: Rules and standards established by authorities to ensure the safe
operation of activities and facilities.
These terminologies are crucial for promoting and maintaining a safe environment in various
settings, including workplaces, homes, and public spaces.
Hazards and its types
Hazards are potential sources of harm or adverse effects that may cause injury, damage to
property, or harm to the environment. Understanding different types of hazards is essential for
assessing risks and implementing appropriate safety measures. Hazards can be categorized into
several types:
1. Physical Hazards:
 Noise: Excessive or loud sounds that can cause hearing damage.
 Vibration: Repetitive motion or oscillations that can lead to musculoskeletal
disorders.
 Radiation: Exposure to ionizing (e.g., X-rays) or non-ionizing (e.g., UV rays)
radiation.
 Temperature: Extreme heat or cold that can cause burns or hypothermia.
2. Chemical Hazards:
 Toxic Substances: Chemicals that can cause harm or illness through inhalation,
ingestion, or skin contact.
 Flammable and Explosive Materials: Substances that can catch fire or
explode.
 Corrosive Substances: Chemicals that can cause damage to skin, eyes, or
materials through corrosion.
3. Biological Hazards:
 Pathogens: Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause
diseases.
 Allergens: Substances that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
 Vector-Borne Diseases: Diseases transmitted through insects or other carriers.
4. Ergonomic Hazards:
 Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Injuries caused by repetitive movements or
poor ergonomics.
 Poor Posture: Incorrect body positioning that can lead to musculoskeletal
problems.
 Manual Handling: Lifting, carrying, or moving objects in ways that strain the
body.
5. Psychosocial Hazards:
 Workplace Stress: Excessive pressure or demands that can lead to mental
health issues.
 Workplace Violence: Threats or acts of violence that can occur in the
workplace.
 Bullying and Harassment: Persistent negative behavior that can affect mental
well-being.
6. Safety Hazards:
 Slips, Trips, and Falls: Hazards that can lead to injuries from slipping, tripping,
or falling.
 Machinery and Equipment: Hazards associated with the use of machinery and
tools.
 Electrical Hazards: Risks related to the use of electricity, such as shocks or
fires.
7. Natural Hazards:
 Earthquakes: Ground shaking events that can cause structural damage.
 Floods: Overflow of water that can lead to property damage and loss of life.
 Storms: Severe weather conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, or cyclones.
8. Fire Hazards:
 Combustible Materials: Substances that can easily catch fire.
 Electrical Fires: Hazards related to faulty wiring or electrical equipment.
9. Radiological Hazards:
 Ionizing Radiation: Exposure to radiation that can damage cells and genetic
material.
10. Mechanical Hazards:
 Moving Parts: Risks associated with machinery or equipment with moving
components.
 Sharp Objects: Tools or equipment that can cause cuts or punctures.
Understanding these hazard types is crucial for conducting comprehensive risk assessments
and implementing effective control measures to ensure the safety of individuals and the
environment.
Risk
Risk, in the context of safety and health, refers to the likelihood and potential consequences of
an adverse event or outcome occurring. It involves the interaction between hazards (potential
sources of harm) and the vulnerability of individuals, assets, or the environment. Risk
assessment is a systematic process used to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks to make
informed decisions about how to manage and mitigate them.
Here are key components and concepts associated with risk:
1. Risk Assessment:
 Identification: Identifying hazards and potential sources of harm in a given
situation or environment.
 Evaluation: Assessing the likelihood and severity of harm associated with each
identified hazard.
 Risk Matrix: A tool often used in risk assessment to visualize and prioritize
risks based on their likelihood and consequences.
2. Risk Management:
 Control Measures: Implementing strategies to eliminate or reduce the
likelihood and consequences of identified risks.
 Hierarchy of Controls: A systematic approach to risk management that
prioritizes control measures, including elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.
3. Risk Communication:
 Sharing Information: Effectively communicating information about identified
risks, control measures, and safety procedures to relevant stakeholders.
 Training and Awareness: Ensuring that individuals are informed and trained
on how to recognize and manage risks in their environment.
4. Tolerable Risk:
 Acceptable Level of Risk: The level of risk that an organization or society is
willing to tolerate based on its risk tolerance criteria and regulatory
requirements.
5. Residual Risk:
 Remaining Risk: The level of risk that remains after implementing control
measures. It's important to monitor and manage residual risk.
6. Risk Mitigation:
 Reducing Consequences: Implementing measures to minimize the impact or
severity of potential harm.
 Reducing Likelihood: Implementing measures to decrease the probability of a
hazardous event occurring.
7. Risk Perception:
 Subjective Evaluation: Individuals' subjective assessment of the level of risk,
which may vary based on factors such as experience, cultural background, and
personal beliefs.
8. Risk Analysis:
 Quantitative Analysis: Assessing and expressing risk in numerical terms, often
using statistical methods.
 Qualitative Analysis: Describing risk in non-numeric terms, considering
factors such as high, medium, or low risk.
9. Continuous Improvement:
 Monitoring and Review: Regularly reviewing and updating risk assessments
to account for changes in the environment, processes, or new information.
 Learning from Incidents: Analyzing incidents and near misses to improve risk
management practices.
10. Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
 Adherence to Standards: Ensuring that risk management practices align with
applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Understanding and effectively managing risk are critical aspects of creating and maintaining a
safe and healthy environment in various contexts, including workplaces, communities, and
daily activities.
Hierarchy of Hazards Control Measures
The Hierarchy of Hazard Controls is a systematic approach used to manage and control
workplace hazards. It prioritizes various strategies based on their effectiveness in reducing or
eliminating risks. The hierarchy, in order of preference, includes the following control
measures:
1. Elimination:
 Definition: The complete removal of the hazard.
 Example: Replacing a toxic substance with a non-toxic alternative, thereby
eliminating the risk of exposure.
2. Substitution:
 Definition: Replacing the hazard with a less hazardous alternative.
 Example: Using a water-based paint instead of a solvent-based paint to reduce
the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
3. Engineering Controls:
 Definition: Isolating people from the hazard or modifying the work
environment to reduce exposure.
 Example: Installing ventilation systems to control airborne contaminants, or
using machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts.
4. Administrative Controls:
 Definition: Changing the way people work or the way they are scheduled to
reduce exposure to hazards.
 Example: Rotating workers to minimize exposure to noise, implementing
safety training programs, or establishing work procedures.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
 Definition: Providing protective gear to reduce the risk of exposure.
 Example: Using gloves, safety glasses, helmets, or respiratory protection to
protect individuals from specific hazards.
It's important to note that the ideal approach is to use control measures higher in the hierarchy
whenever possible, as they are generally more effective and protective. For instance,
eliminating a hazard removes the risk entirely, whereas relying on PPE assumes that the hazard
is present and only provides a barrier of protection for the individual.
In many situations, a combination of control measures may be necessary to adequately manage
risks. Additionally, the effectiveness of control measures may depend on the specific
circumstances and the nature of the hazard. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment of
control measures are essential to ensure ongoing safety and health in the workplace.
Lead indicators
Lead indicators are proactive, predictive measures used to assess and monitor activities and
conditions that are expected to have an impact on future performance and outcomes. These
indicators are used to provide early insights into potential issues, allowing for timely
adjustments and interventions. Lead indicators contrast with lag indicators, which are
retrospective and measure outcomes or results after they have occurred. Lead indicators are
particularly valuable in risk management, safety, and performance measurement. Here are
some examples:
1. Safety Training Participation:
 Lead Indicator: The number of employees participating in safety training
programs.
 Significance: A higher participation rate in safety training may indicate a
proactive safety culture and a reduced likelihood of incidents.