Waste: Any item which would ordinarily be described as waste, which is scrap material or discarded or being dealt with as if it were waste effluent or other unwanted surplus material, or something required to be disposed of as broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled.
		Waste Carrier: A person who transports controlled waste within the UK.
		Waste Holder: A person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of controlled waste or, as a broker, has control of such waste.
		Waste Manager: See Licensed Waste Manager.
		Waste Producer: One whose actions give rise to the production of controlled waste.
		WATCH: Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals. An official working party which assesses toxicological data, epidemiology studies and other data relating to chemical substances in order to recommend appropriate control limits.
		Wavelength: The distance between successive crests of an electromagnetic wave passing through a given material. Unit: metre, symbol: m.
		Wavelength (noise): The physical distance in metres between successive periodic waves (i.e. positive or negative pressure).
		WBGT: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.
		WBV: Whole Body Vibration.
		WCI: Wind Chill Index.
		Weils Disease: See Leptospirosis.
		Wet Bulb Globe Temperature: One of several heat stress indices used to judge the severity of the thermal environment and the risk of heat casualties under physical exercise. It enables the calculation of a work/rest regime for a particular situation.
		Wet Collector: Air cleaning device comprising a chamber packed with various substances which are wetted by a downwards stream of water. Contaminated air is introduced at the base of the chamber and forced upwards through the wet packing which collects dust allowing clean air to pass through the top.
		Wet Scrubber: Form of wet collector in which contaminated air is passed through a curtain of water. Suitable for removal of medium to coarse particles.
		Whistle Blower: A euphemism for a person who makes a qualifying disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
		White Paper: A statement of the Government’s policy on a particular issue circulated in Parliament as a basis for discussion and debate.
		WHO: World Health Organisation.
		Whole Body Vibration: Especially associated with lumbar pain and spinal damage but includes ill-health effects such as nausea, unbalance and blurred vision. Normally caused while driving vehicles such as dumpers, tractors and lift trucks or working near large machinery.
		Wind Chill Index: One of several heat stress indices devised specifically to assess the risks from cold. It uses the combined effect of air temperature and air velocity to determine the heat loss from the exposed skin.
		Wire Ropes : Used for slings, these comprise of metal strands wound tightly around strands of fibre included in the lay. This fibre is used as a reservoir for the lubricant which prevents internal abrasion.
		Woolf Report: Report of a Government inquiry which introduced new rules aimed at speeding up the process of taking a civil claim through the court. The emphasis is now placed on settling a claim before it reaches the court by introducing strict timetables, pre-action protocols and alternative dispute resolution.
		Workplace Exposure Limit: A WEL is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over a reference period, to which employees may be exposed by inhalation. See Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs). Two time periods are used: long term (8 hours) and short term (15 minutes). Short-term exposure limits (STELs) are set to help prevent effects, such as eye irritation, which may occur following exposure for a few minutes. Control measures must be applied to reduce exposures as low as is reasonably practicable without resorting to PPE. See ALARP.
		Workplace Safety Precautions: Actions taken to re+B10duce identified risks to an acceptable level eg guards, PPE and safe systems of work.
		Work-related Upper Limb Disorder: A musculoskeletal problem affecting the upper limbs commonly associated with work activities requiring repeated manipulation or movements of the fingers hands or arms. HSE include vibration exposure as a cause of work related upper limb disorder.
		World Health Organisation: A UN specialized agency for health with the objective of the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO is governed by 192 Member States through the World Health Assembly.
		Wrongful Dismissal: A dismissal without notice or with inadequate notice in circumstances where proper notice should have been given. The expression also covers dismissals which are in breach of agreed procedures.
		WRULD: Work-related Upper Limb Disorder.

Disclaimer:
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this book opinions may vary regarding some concepts. The Key Consultancy Ltd and Safety and Health Practitioner accept no responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on this content and readers should take steps to verify interpretations to their own satisfaction if there is doubt.