Key Health & Safety acronyms

HSE - HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE

Responsible for enforcing health and safety regulations in the workplace.

RIDDOR - REPORTING OF INJURIES DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE REGULATIONS

Covers the legal requirements for reporting specific injuries, diseases and dangerous at work.

PPE - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The user wears this type of equipment. PPE is used to protect the person from harm.

RPE - RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Includes masks, hoods, helmets, suits or breathing apparatus worn to filter out contaminants in the air. It can be used to supply clean air to the user.

COSHH - CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

COSHH is a legal requirement for employers to control hazardous substances, assessing, preventing harm, control measures, instruction and training, monitoring, health surveillance and planning for emergencies.

PUWER - PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS

PUWER requires equipment that is safe, suitable, maintained, inspected and installed correctly. The law makes sure that equipment is used safely and only by competent operators.

PAT - PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING

PAT is the examination and testing of electrical appliances and equipment at frequent times to make sure they’re safe to use.

LOLER - LIFTING OPERATIONS AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS

Make sure lifting equipment is suitable and inspected regularly. Also, making sure that lifting operations are safely planned and controlled.

REACH - REGISTRATION EVALUATION AUTHORISATION AND RESTRICTION OF CHEMICALS

Companies must identify and manage the risks created by the substances of which they make and sell.

COMAH - CONTROL OF MAJOR ACCIDENTS HAZARDS

Aims to prevent and limit the consequences of major accidents which involve dangerous substances.

ESQCR - ELECTRICITY SAFETY QUALITY CONTINUITY REGULATIONS

Protects the public and consumers from danger and regulates power quality and supply continuity requirements.

EA - ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY

Creates better places for people and wildlife.

SEPA - SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

To protect and improve Scotland’s environment by making sure that all natural resources are taken care of sustainably and that human health is protected against environmental risks.