Site safety terms
10 guides in this section.
What is a competent person? Meaning in health and safety
What is a competent person? A plain-English explanation of competence in health and safety law, why it matters on site, and how it differs from a card.
What Is the COSHH? A Plain-English Guide for Site Workers
What is COSHH? Plain-English meaning of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, with employer and worker duties on site.
Difference Between Hazard and Risk Explained for Site Work
Hazard vs risk explained in plain English with two construction examples and a worked exercise, so you can answer test questions with confidence.
Hierarchy of Control Explained: Order of Controls
The hierarchy of control ranks risk control measures from most to least effective: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administer, PPE last.
What Is a Near Miss? Meaning and Reporting on Site
A near miss is an event that could have caused harm but did not. Learn the meaning, how to report one, and how it differs from RIDDOR.
PPE for Construction Workers: Why PPE Is the Last Control
What is PPE? A plain-English explanation of personal protective equipment, common site examples, and why PPE is the last control, not the first.
RIDDOR Reportable Incidents: What Counts and Who Reports
What is RIDDOR? A plain-English definition of the reporting regulations, the kinds of incident covered and what to check on the HSE website.
What Is a Safe System of Work? Definition for Site
A safe system of work is a planned, documented way of doing a task safely. Learn what it includes and how it links to risk assessment.
Site safety terms for the CITB test: plain-English glossary
A plain-English guide to the health and safety terms construction workers meet most often, with what each means and why the CITB test uses them.
Health and Safety Toolbox Talks: Meaning and Format
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing on one topic, usually recorded. Learn the meaning, typical format and what to expect on site.