Copy of `J. Gilbertson - Health and safety glossary`

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J. Gilbertson - Health and safety glossary Category: Agriculture and Industry > Health and Safety Sound Date & country: 12/11/2007, UK Words: 1069

Type Approval
Examination of a product by an EU approved body which confirms that the product type conforms fully with transposed harmonised standards.

UDS
Unit Density Sphere.

UFL
Upper Flammable Limit.

Ultra Vires
Latin term used to describe any condition or situation in which a person has acted outside the powers conferred upon them by law. “Outside the law�.

Ultraviolet Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of 1nm â€` 380nm whose harmful effects on the human being include: burning of the skin, skin cancers, inflammation of the conjunctiva, and irritation of the cornea.

Unacceptable Risk
A risk which is beyond the region of tolerability. See Tolerable Risk.

Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion
See Vapour Cloud Explosion.

Unfair Dismissal
A dismissal is unfair when the reason for it is ‘inadmissible` eg activity relating to membership of a trade union, pregnancy or maternity, certain health and safety grounds, making a protected disclosure etc. See Wrongful Dismissal.

Uninsured Costs
Those costs associated with accidents which are not covered by normal insurance eg first part of a claim (excess), sick pay, time off, over time payments, investigation costs etc. See also Direct Costs, Indirect Costs and Insured Costs.

Unit Density Sphere
An assumed ‘ideal` (spherical) particle having the same density as water, falling in still air, used for calculating theoretical values for terminal velocity.

Unitary
A frame of reference in which both parties share the same views. There is no conflict of interest.

Unsafe Act
An element of unsatisfactory behaviour immediately prior to an accident event which is significant in initiating the event. A hazard eg risk taking, short cuts, carelessness, lack of attention, horseplay etc. (John Gilbertson).

Unsafe Condition
An unsatisfactory physical condition existing in the workplace environment immediately prior to an accident event which is significant in initiating the event. A hazard eg slippery floor, broken glass, unguarded machine, trailing cable, low lighting levels etc (John Gilbertson).

Upper Flammable Limit
The highest concentration of fuel that will just support a self propagating flame.

Urticaria.
A hypersensitivity response, mediated by histamine, leading to wheals and flares (like nettlerash). Hair, urine and dander can cause it in small animal laboratory work; potato, fish and fruit preparation are responsible in catering.

UVCE
Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion. See Vapour Cloud Explosion.

Vane Anemometer
See Rotating Vane Anemometer.

Vapour
Gaseous form of substance which exists as a liquid (usually) under normal conditions.

Vapour Cloud Explosion
An explosion occurring outdoors beginning with the unplanned release of a large quantity of flammable gas or vapourising liquid which ignites following the formation of a cloud or plume of pre-mixed fuel and air. The speed of flame travelling through the cloud may approach detonation velocity with a massive pressure rise. The over pressure created causes initial damage to property.

Vapour Density
The ratio of a vapour or gas in relation to air which is taken to have a unitary value.

Vapour Pressure
The pressure exerted as a proportion of ambient pressure at a specified temperature (normally 20°C).

VCE
Vapour Cloud Explosion.

VCM
See Vinyl Chloride Monomer.

Velocity Pressure
The pressure increase produced by bringing a moving airstream to rest eg as measured by a Pitot-static Tube.

Velocity Profile
Graphical illustration of the behaviour of air currents around the opening of an LEV hood.

Ventilation
See Local Exhaust Ventilation and Dilution Ventilation.

Vibration
Mechanical oscillation produced by regular or irregular movements of a body about its resting position.

Vibration Dose
Magnitude of vibration x duration of exposure.

Vibration White Finger
A prescribed disease caused by exposure to vibrating hand held machinery characterised by episodic blanching of the middle or proximal phalanges or the proximal phalanx of the thumb. In this sense, also referred to as secondary Raynaud`s Disease. Vibration causes spasm of peripheral blood vessels.

Vicarious Liability
Liability of one person for the behaviour of another acting on their behalf. The liability of the employer, for example, for the negligent acts or omissions of their employees acting within the cause and scope of their employment.

Violations
A deliberate deviation from a rule or procedure which may be routine, situational or exceptional.

Violence
“Any assault in which an employee is threatened or assaulted by a member of the public in circumstances arising out of the course of his or her employment� HSE.

Virus
Very small agents containing genetic material and a protein coat. They multiply using the mechanism of a host cell.

Visual Illusion
See Sensory Illusion.

Vitiligo
Alterations in skin pigmentation resulting from contact with chemicals eg Quinones which can destroy melanocytes causing patches without pigment

Volenti Non Fit Injuria
‘No harm can be done to a willing person` â€` a legal phrase used to describe the willing participation of the plaintiff or claimant in the circumstances which led to their injury.

Volt
Unit of potential difference.

Voltage
See Pressure.

Volumetric
Term used to express concentrations of gases and vapours eg parts per million (ppm) (usually at 25oC and 760 mm pressure) - or as a percentage 1,000 ppm = 0.1%.

VWF
Vibration White Finger.

Waste
Any item which would ordinarily be described as waste, which is scrap material or discarded or being dealt with as if it were waste effluent or other unwanted surplus material, or something required to be disposed of as broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled.

Waste Carrier
A person who transports controlled waste within the UK.

Waste Holder
A person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of controlled waste or, as a broker, has control of such waste.

Waste Manager
See Licensed Waste Manager.

Waste Producer
One whose actions give rise to the production of controlled waste.

WATCH
Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals. An official working party which assesses toxicological data, epidemiology studies and other data relating to chemical substances in order to recommend appropriate control limits.

Wavelength
The distance between successive crests of an electromagnetic wave passing through a given material. Unit: metre, symbol: m.

Wavelength (noise)
The physical distance in metres between successive periodic waves (i.e. positive or negative pressure).

WBGT
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.

WBV
Whole Body Vibration.

WCI
Wind Chill Index.

Weils Disease
See Leptospirosis.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
One of several heat stress indices used to judge the severity of the thermal environment and the risk of heat casualties under physical exercise. It enables the calculation of a work/rest regime for a particular situation.

Wet Collector
Air cleaning device comprising a chamber packed with various substances which are wetted by a downwards stream of water. Contaminated air is introduced at the base of the chamber and forced upwards through the wet packing which collects dust allowing clean air to pass through the top.

Wet Scrubber
Form of wet collector in which contaminated air is passed through a curtain of water. Suitable for removal of medium to coarse particles.

Whistle Blower
A euphemism for a person who makes a qualifying disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

White Paper
A statement of the Government`s policy on a particular issue circulated in Parliament as a basis for discussion and debate.

WHO
World Health Organisation.

Whole Body Vibration
Especially associated with lumbar pain and spinal damage but includes ill-health effects such as nausea, unbalance and blurred vision. Normally caused while driving vehicles such as dumpers, tractors and lift trucks or working near large machinery.

Wind Chill Index
One of several heat stress indices devised specifically to assess the risks from cold. It uses the combined effect of air temperature and air velocity to determine the heat loss from the exposed skin.

Wire Ropes
Used for slings, these comprise of metal strands wound tightly around strands of fibre included in the lay. This fibre is used as a reservoir for the lubricant which prevents internal abrasion.

Woolf Report
Report of a Government inquiry which introduced new rules aimed at speeding up the process of taking a civil claim through the court. The emphasis is now placed on settling a claim before it reaches the court by introducing strict timetables, pre-action protocols and alternative dispute resolution.

Work-related Upper Limb Disorder
A musculoskeletal problem affecting the upper limbs commonly associated with work activities requiring repeated manipulation or movements of the fingers hands or arms. HSE include vibration exposure as a cause of work related upper limb disorder.

Workplace Exposure Limit
A WEL is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over a reference period, to which employees may be exposed by inhalation. See Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs). Two time periods are used: long term (8 hours) and short term (15 minutes). Short-term exposure limits (STELs) are set to help prevent effects, such as eye irritation, which may occur following exposure for a few minutes. Control measures must be applied to reduce exposures as low as is reasonably practicable without resorting to PPE. See ALARP.

Workplace Safety Precautions
Actions taken to re+B10duce identified risks to an acceptable level eg guards, PPE and safe systems of work.

World Health Organisation
A UN specialized agency for health with the objective of the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO is governed by 192 Member States through the World Health Assembly.

Wrongful Dismissal
A dismissal without notice or with inadequate notice in circumstances where proper notice should have been given. The expression also covers dismissals which are in breach of agreed procedures.

WRULD
Work-related Upper Limb Disorder.

Zoonose
Any infectious diseases that can be transmitted to human beings from other vertebrate animals. The micro-organism causing the disease does not necessarily affect its animal host. Plural â€` zoonoses.