Glossary of Terms

BS OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognized assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies to address a gap where no third-party certifiable international standard exists. OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, to help an organisation meet its health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

They clearly define the methods and goals of an organisation. They are intended to be followed by the organisation and to set out the sense of direction the company is going in.

OSHCR is a register of consultants who can offer general advice to UK businesses to help them manage health and safety risks.

A scheme or questionnaire, often called a PQQ, which assesses the basic requirements of a supplier before they can become actively involved in a project or quoting process. These are common in Health and Safety to assess if suppliers understand the standards they must meet and in Quality Assurance to ensure that products of the correct nature and quantity can be supplied.

Process Mapping and Process Flow Charting are techniques that can be employed to not only provide a visual representation of a procedure but also have the potential to identify significant savings in the way in which the process is organised and performed.

Psychometric testing is a technique of psychological measurement, which includes the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, personality traits, and educational measurement. The topic is primarily concerned with the construction and validation of measurement instruments such as questionnaires, tests, and personality assessments.

The process of enhancing a product or business system in order to achieve better overall performance.

Quality management is an organisation-wide approach to understanding precisely what customers need and consistently delivering accurate solutions within budget, on time and with the minimum loss to society.

The process of evaluating the risks arising from a hazard taking account of the adequacy of existing controls. Numerous methods of assessment exist, one of which is the 5 steps method as promoted by the HSE.

Role-playing is where people rehearse scenarios in preparation for a future situation and to improve their abilities within a role. The most common examples are occupational training role-plays, the tutor will generally portray a situation in a manner that will challenge the delegate in some way.

Sira is a world leader in the conformity assessment solutions field, specialising in explosion safety of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX & IECEx).

Generally a checklist that has been prepared as a guide to what employers carrying out the inspection should consider when trying to reduce the risks. Such checklists are common on construction sites and following 5S events.

Six Sigma quality is an overall strategy, philosophy and goal to accelerate improvements in Processes, Products and Services. A symbol of excellence, a Six Sigma measurement of total quality lets us know how effective we are in eliminating defects and variations in our Processes, Products and Services. Six Sigma is a statistical concept that measures a process in terms of defects achieving only 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO).

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable. Soft skills are often described by using terms often associated with personality traits, such as common sense and integrity.

SSiP Forum (of which there are currently over 20 members) act as an umbrella organisation to facilitate mutual recognition between construction industry health and safety pre-qualification schemes wherever it is practicable to do so.

The IRCA Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSiP) Assessor certification scheme provides recognition of competence for individuals conducting Stage 1 Core Criteria assessments of contractors and consultants working in construction-related industries, against the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations, which came into force in April 2007.

Individuals must attend a one-day IRCA SSiP Assessor course and successfully complete the SSiP Assessor examination in order to apply for certification with IRCA as an SSiP Assessor. J A D Associates are an approved trainer for this qualification.

The executive body responsible for establishing the essential elements of the management of SSIP and its day-to-day activities and reporting its activities.

Generally the review of a single hazard in the workplace such as Asbestos, Noise or Chemicals. Normally carried out by a highly qualified individual.

The process of enhancing a business system in order to achieve better overall performance.

System Reviews in respect to management system requirements are generally referred to under the clauses for Management Review in all standards. These address important aspects and indicators that help assess the overall performance of an organisation.

Team-building is designed to develop the ability to work together effectively, and can be used with members of a group or team.

The International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is the world's original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems.

They make more explicit what employers are required to do to manage Health and Safety under the Health and Safety at Work. Act. Like the Act, they apply to every work activity The most well known requirements surround written Risk Assessments and policy statements.

A review of waste streams with a view to identifying and reduce the points of waste creation. Once conducted process improvements can be prioritised to minimise waste and thus reduce raw material cost.

In an employment context, they are generally any informal practice or custom which governs or influences the way employees behave at work.

They are an important part of any accelerated learning programme running along side tutorials and discussions. Workshops are generally practical in nature and involve delegates carrying out a task of some type.