Terminology

• Safety - the state in which the possibility of harm to persons or of property damage is reduced to, and maintained at or below, an acceptable level through a continuing process of hazard identification and safety risk management.
• Safety Management System – “The means by which an organisation controls risk through the management process.”

• Hazard - An existing or “potential” condition that can cause accident (injury or death to people or damage to property or the environment).

Examples: dangerous chemicals, radiation, sharp edges, openings in floor, open flame, chlorine gas, biological agents, physical agents, unsafe behaviors, insects...

• Risk - is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.

• Accident - an event that causes unintentional damage or injury.
• Incident (or near-accident) - is an event that almost causes unintentional damage or injury.

Prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ekşioğlu / April 2015