Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Helen C
In health and safety terms, is there a definition of significant?
I need to define in more detail something I have stated in a report and just wondered whether 'significant' is the correct word to use.
Many thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Packham
I don't know of an "official" definition of significant, but for me, in the context of risk assessment and risk management, this word signifies that whatever it is is of sufficient importance as to require some action to be taken.
Of course, others may put a different interpretation on it.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Alan Hoskins
Helen,
I tend to use the inverted meaning as in 'not negligible or trivial'.
Unfortunately, it assumes different meanings in different contexts, such as in statistical terms it can mean 'probably resulting from something other than chance'.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Richie
Helen,
'BS 8800 :2004 - Occupational health and safety management systems - guide' provides a credible answer. This is the only document within which I have found an authoritative definition of 'significant' concerning Risk Assessment.
Within the Risk Assessment Annex (ANNEX E), BS 8800 :2004 lays down some key steps in the process of risk assessment and risk control.
Under
"Identify hazards: Identify all significant hazards relating to each work activity. Consider who might be harmed and how"
there is a note explaining:-
"The term significant has been introduced to emphasize that a practical cut-off should be applied, and that it is neither sensible nor practicable to expend effort identifying hazards and assessing risks that are manifestly implausible, or which have negligible harm potential"
Hows that for service!
Richie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Raymond Rapp
Something greater than insignificant...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By CFT
Helen
If the item or event you are making reference to is of a significant nature then it will have been suitably assessed and your findings appropriately documented (vis H&S purposes). There are many interpretations of significant, and it would be helpful if you could indicate the nature of this significant ? in your report (generalise) to say yeh or neh if it is indeed significant, which it probably is otherwise you wouldn't have used it in your report.
Significant: Having or likely to have a major effect; 'a significant hazard' a significant risk' , a significant increase (or decrease) in trends/accidents/etc, a significant number of persons have been affected, a significant number have not!
CFT
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By alan brotherton
Whatever the deffinition of "significant" is, - I am sure it will be "suitable and sufficient"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Colin
Helen,
The generally recognised legal definition of significant is 'more than minimal'. This has been applied in a number of H&S, criminal and civil judgements. Although I guess this may not be of great practical assistance?
Colin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mal
Helen, you could try using the definition of significant as described in the ACOP and industry led guidance on CDM residual hazards / risks.
That is, either:
a) not obvious
b) unusual
c) difficult to manage
Regards, Mal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Helen C
Thanks all....great responses.
Definitely have something to work with now.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.