Glossary

• Author: International Labour Organization
• Pages: VII-X

MEISI05-R-2005-02-0159-1-En.doc

vii

Glossary

In this code of practice, the following terms have the meanings hereby assigned to

them:

Active monitoring: The ongoing activities which check that hazard identification, risk

assessment and the appropriate preventive and protective measures, as well as the

arrangements to implement the occupational safety and health (OSH) management system,

conform to defined criteria.

Asbestos: The fibrous form of mineral silicates belonging to rock-forming minerals of

the serpentine group, i.e. chrysotile (white asbestos), and of the amphibole group,

i.e. actinolite, amosite (brown asbestos), anthophylite, crocidolite (blue asbestos),

tremolite, or any mixture containing one or more of these.

Asbestos dust: Airborne particles of asbestos or settled particles of asbestos that are

liable to become airborne in the working environment.

Asphyxiant: A substance that causes injury by decreasing the amount of oxygen

available to the body. Asphyxiants may act by displacing air from an enclosed space, or by

interfering with the body’s ability to absorb and transport oxygen.

Audit: A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence and

evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which defined criteria are fulfilled.

Audits should be conducted by competent persons internal or external to the facility who

are independent of the activity being audited.

Competent authority: A minister, government department or other public authority

with the power to issue regulations, orders or other instructions having the force of law.

Under national laws or regulations, competent authorities may be appointed with

responsibilities for specific activities, such as for the implementation of national policy and

procedures for the protection of iron and steel workers.

Competent person: A person with suitable training, and sufficient knowledge,

experience and skill, for the performance of the specific work.

Contractor: A person or an enterprise providing services to an employer at the facility

in accordance with national laws and regulations, or with agreed specifications, terms and

conditions. For the purpose of this code of practice, contractors include principal

contractors, subcontractors and labour supply agents.

Dangerous occurrence: Readily identifiable event, as defined under national laws and

regulations, with potential to cause injury or disease to people at work or the general

public, for example a “near miss” or a “near hit”.

Employer: Any physical or legal person that employs one or more workers.

Engineering controls: Use of technical measures such as enclosure, ventilation and

workplace design to minimize exposure.

Engulfment: The condition of being swallowed up or overwhelmed by loose material,

for example in the cave-in of an unshored trench. Engulfment usually causes injury by

asphyxiation or crushing.