NEBOSH IGC; THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

MEANING OF THE TERMS HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Outline the meaning of the following terms:

(a) Health;

(b) Safety;

(c) Welfare;

(d) Environmental protection.

Part (a) The term „health‟ can be defined as a state of well-being in both a physiological and psychological sense. In occupational terms, it would include not suffering for example from fatigue, stress or noise induced deafness.

Part (b) „Safety‟ can be defined as the absence of danger or physical harm to persons, extending in the workplace to things such as equipment, materials and structures.

Part (c) The term „welfare‟ relates to the provision of workplace facilities that maintain the basic wellbeing and comfort of the worker such as eating, washing and toilet facilities which enable them to fulfill their bodily functions.

Part (d) „Environmental protection‟ may be defined as a measure used to prevent harm to the environment of the world. It prevents harm to air, water, land and natural resources providing protection to flora, fauna and human beings and their inter-relationships