GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS
WHS - Work Health & Safety (formerly OHS - same thing)
WHSMS - Work Health Safety Management System
HRM - Human Resource Management
RTW - Return To Work
Hierarchy of Control
The order in which controls should be considered when selecting methods of reducing a risk
Hazard means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person or assets. Hazards at work may include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job, bullying and violence at the workplace.
Risk is the possibility (likelihood & consequence) that harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a
hazard
Risk control means taking action to eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if that
is not possible, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Eliminating a hazard will also eliminate any
risks associated with that hazard.
Likelihood
The chance of an event actually occurring.
Risk Management
Describes the total procedure associated with identifying a hazard, assessing the risk, putting in place control
measures, documenting and reviewing the outcomes underpinned by consultation.
Key WHS Terms
PCBU
Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking
A person conducts a business or undertaking:
(a) whether the person conducts the business or undertaking alone or with others; and
(b) whether or not the business or undertaking is conducted for profit or gain.
(c) a contractor or subcontractor; or a worker of a contractor; or subcontractor; or
(d) an worker of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person's business or undertaking; or
(e) an outworker; or
(f) an apprentice or trainee; or
(g) a student gaining work experience; or
(h) a volunteer; or
(i) a person of a prescribed class.
A PCBU can also be an Officer and a worker if they carry out work in the business or undertaking (hands-on)
Officer
An officer is a person who has significant decision making abilities and financial control over a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) or a substantial part of a PCBU
Worker
A worker is anyone who carries out work for a PCBU, such as:
- an employee
- a contractor or sub-contractor
- an employee of a contractor or sub-contractor
- an employee of a labour hire company
- an apprentice or trainee
- a student gaining work experience
- an outworker
- a volunteer.
You can also be a PCBU and a worker if you carry out work for another PCBU.
Volunteer
The term ‘volunteer’ is defined to mean a person who acts on a voluntary basis, irrespective of whether the person
receives out- of-pocket expenses. Whether an individual is a ‘volunteer’ is a question of fact that will depend on the
circumstances of each case. This term is defined here due to its inclusion as a key term in the WHS legislation.
Workplace
A place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is
likely to be, while at work, bathroom, lunch room, etc.
Jurisdiction
Geographic area or division of industry or the community in which government has the power and authority to
administer and apply certain laws.
Reasonably practicable
What can reasonably be done in the circumstances taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters,
including:
1. the likelihood of the relevant hazard or risk occurring;
2. the degree of harm that might result;
3. what the person knows or ought reasonably to know about the hazard or risk and the ways of eliminating or
minimising the risk; and
4. the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk.
After taking into account these matters, only then can the person consider the cost associated with available ways
of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
Notifiable incident A ‘notifiable incident’ is an incident involving the death of a person,
‘serious injury or illness’ of a person or a ‘dangerous incident’.
Originating Court The court where a matter will be heard for the first time.
Appellate court A higher court to which an appeal may be made from an originating
court.
Tort Wrongful act of one party causing harm to another. The three branches of the
law of tort are trespass, nuisance and negligence.
WHSMS - Work Health Safety Management System
HRM - Human Resource Management
RTW - Return To Work
Hierarchy of Control
The order in which controls should be considered when selecting methods of reducing a risk
Hazard means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person or assets. Hazards at work may include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job, bullying and violence at the workplace.
Risk is the possibility (likelihood & consequence) that harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a
hazard
Risk control means taking action to eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if that
is not possible, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Eliminating a hazard will also eliminate any
risks associated with that hazard.
Likelihood
The chance of an event actually occurring.
Risk Management
Describes the total procedure associated with identifying a hazard, assessing the risk, putting in place control
measures, documenting and reviewing the outcomes underpinned by consultation.
Key WHS Terms
PCBU
Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking
A person conducts a business or undertaking:
(a) whether the person conducts the business or undertaking alone or with others; and
(b) whether or not the business or undertaking is conducted for profit or gain.
(c) a contractor or subcontractor; or a worker of a contractor; or subcontractor; or
(d) an worker of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person's business or undertaking; or
(e) an outworker; or
(f) an apprentice or trainee; or
(g) a student gaining work experience; or
(h) a volunteer; or
(i) a person of a prescribed class.
A PCBU can also be an Officer and a worker if they carry out work in the business or undertaking (hands-on)
Officer
An officer is a person who has significant decision making abilities and financial control over a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) or a substantial part of a PCBU
Worker
A worker is anyone who carries out work for a PCBU, such as:
- an employee
- a contractor or sub-contractor
- an employee of a contractor or sub-contractor
- an employee of a labour hire company
- an apprentice or trainee
- a student gaining work experience
- an outworker
- a volunteer.
You can also be a PCBU and a worker if you carry out work for another PCBU.
Volunteer
The term ‘volunteer’ is defined to mean a person who acts on a voluntary basis, irrespective of whether the person
receives out- of-pocket expenses. Whether an individual is a ‘volunteer’ is a question of fact that will depend on the
circumstances of each case. This term is defined here due to its inclusion as a key term in the WHS legislation.
Workplace
A place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is
likely to be, while at work, bathroom, lunch room, etc.
Jurisdiction
Geographic area or division of industry or the community in which government has the power and authority to
administer and apply certain laws.
Reasonably practicable
What can reasonably be done in the circumstances taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters,
including:
1. the likelihood of the relevant hazard or risk occurring;
2. the degree of harm that might result;
3. what the person knows or ought reasonably to know about the hazard or risk and the ways of eliminating or
minimising the risk; and
4. the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk.
After taking into account these matters, only then can the person consider the cost associated with available ways
of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
Notifiable incident A ‘notifiable incident’ is an incident involving the death of a person,
‘serious injury or illness’ of a person or a ‘dangerous incident’.
Originating Court The court where a matter will be heard for the first time.
Appellate court A higher court to which an appeal may be made from an originating
court.
Tort Wrongful act of one party causing harm to another. The three branches of the
law of tort are trespass, nuisance and negligence.
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