Definitions of some Key Terms
Accident - unplanned, unwanted event which results in a loss of some kind, includes damage e.g. (property)
Near miss / Incident - unwanted, unplanned event that had the potential to result in a loss
Hazard - Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk - Likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of the harm
“Shall” or “Must” - absolute duty, i.e. must do.
“Practicable” - if practicable, i.e. physically possible taking account of current invention, then it must be done irrespective of cost (time, trouble, inconvenience or financial).
“Reasonably practicable” - requires the computation of risk measures v cost (time, trouble, inconvenience and finance) i.e. the balance of risk against cost.
Negligence - is a civil wrong (tort), involving unreasonable careless conduct (for a breach of the common law duty of care) resulting in loss, damage or injury.
Attitude - the tendency to respond in a particular way to a given situation
Perception - the way that people interpret and make sense of presented information through their:
▪ Sensory input, and
▪ Mental processing.
Motivation - the driving force behind the way a person acts in order to achieve a goal
Human Error – Not a deliberate action. A person does not set out intentionally to deviate from the correct safe system of work.
Violation - A violation is a deliberate intentional deviation from agreed procedures or rules i.e. ‘breaking the rules.
For a question on define the criteria for a suitable and sufficient assessment examiners are looking for some key points such as:
▪ the competency of the assessor(s) ability to identify significant hazards & their risk, plus relevant legislation,
▪ the identification & prioritisation of measures needed to reduce the risk to an acceptable level,
▪ the ability to write an accurate and convincing report, &
▪ ensuring that the assessment remains valid...