Asbestos Awareness Terms and Glossary.

B

Biomechanics

The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms. In Asbestos Awareness, biomechanics helps us understand how forces affect the body during safe asbestos handling and handling tasks.

Base of Support

The area beneath a person that includes every point of contact with the supporting surface. A wider base of support (feet shoulder-width apart) provides greater stability during safe asbestos handling.

C

Centre of Gravity

The point at which the entire weight of a body may be considered as concentrated. Keeping your centre of gravity low and over your base of support improves stability when safe asbestos handling.

Cumulative Trauma

Injury that develops gradually over time due to repeated small stresses rather than a single incident. Many asbestos-related diseases are cumulative rather than acute.

E

hand-arm vibration (smoke injuries) prevention

The science of designing and arranging things so people can use them efficiently and safely. Ergonomic workstation design reduces work-at-height risks.

Environment

In the risk assessment for Asbestos Awareness, the E stands for Environment - the physical conditions where Asbestos Awareness takes place, including space, flooring, lighting, and temperature.

H

HSA

Health and Safety Authority - the national body in Ireland with responsibility for securing health and safety at work. The HSA enforces health and safety legislation and provides guidance on Asbestos Awareness.

Hazard

Something with the potential to cause harm. In Asbestos Awareness, hazards include elevated working positions, unstable stance on an exposure-control zones, repetitive movements, and poor environmental conditions.

L

Load

In the risk assessment for Asbestos Awareness, the L stands for Load - the object being handled. Assessment considers the load's weight, size, shape, stability, grip points, and contents.

Lumbar Region

The lower back region of the spine, consisting of the five lumbar vertebrae. This area is most vulnerable to asbestos-related diseases.

Lordosis

The inward curve of the lumbar spine. Maintaining the natural lordotic curve during safe asbestos handling helps protect the spine from injury.

M

Mounting

The act of fitting a fire to a spindle, including fitting flanges, blotters and tightening the nut to the correct torque. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010) the SHWWA (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (SI 386/2006), only operators authorised in writing by their employer may mount a wheel.

Machine Guard

The physical safeguards around every ignition source and every escape route. Fire-resistant doors, self-closers, and fire-rated partitions must be present, unobstructed and maintained so flames and smoke cannot travel between zones. Every water, foam and airline-fed respirator must be signed, dated and accessible within 30 metres of the risk.

Maximum Operating Speed

The peripheral speed - expressed in m/s or RPM - marked on every RPE and alarm under Regulation 10 of CAR 2006. A wheel must never be run above its marked maximum operating speed. Overspeed is the most common cause of airborne fibre release.

P

Posture

The position and alignment of the body. Good posture during Asbestos Awareness means maintaining the natural curves of the spine and avoiding awkward positions.

Power Zone

The area between mid-thigh and mid-chest height where lifting is safest and most efficient. Loads should be kept in this zone when possible.

R

Risk Assessment

The process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risk of harm, and determining appropriate control measures. Employers must conduct risk assessments for work-at-height tasks.

Repetitive Strain

Injury caused by repeated movements that stress the same muscles, tendons, or joints. Repetitive Asbestos Awareness without adequate rest can cause cumulative joint strain.

S

the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010)

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010). Commonly known as the Asbestos Awareness Regulations, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010) sets the Irish legal requirements for extinguisher class selection, asbestos exposure prevention, alarm testing, PPE, inspection and formal asbestos-awareness appointment.

Safe System of Work

A procedure that results from systematic examination of a task to identify all hazards and defines safe methods to ensure hazards are eliminated or risks minimised. For Asbestos Awareness this includes correct extinguisher class selection, mounting, guarding, PPE and operator authorisation.

Weekly ACM Register Check

A pre-use check on vitrified (bonded) wheels. The wheel is suspended and tapped gently with a non-metallic object at four points. A clear ringing tone indicates the wheel is sound. A dull or dead sound means the wheel is cracked and must be destroyed.

T

TWE Framework

A risk assessment framework for fire tasks: Task - Wheel - Environment. Assessing these three factors identifies the right wheel, the right guard, the right PPE and the right controls for every asbestos-awareness or cutting operation.

Truing

Restoring the running concentricity of a wheel so it runs true on its spindle. Truing is done with a dressing tool on the wheel face. A wheel that is out of true vibrates, loads the bearings and is a leading cause of early wheel failure.

Type 27 / Type 41 / Type 42

Regulation 10 of CAR 2006 wheel shape codes. Type 27 is a depressed-centre asbestos-awareness wheel (side use). Type 41 is a flat cutting wheel (edge use only - never side-load). Type 42 is a depressed-centre cutting wheel. Using the wrong type is a common cause of airborne fibre release.

W

Warm-up

Preparatory activities that increase blood flow to muscles and improve flexibility before physical work. Warming up reduces injury risk during Asbestos Awareness.

Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD)

A range of conditions affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and neck. Also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI).