Regulation 2 Interpretation

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “the 1974 Act” means the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;

• “approved” means approved for the time being in writing by the Health and Safety Commission or the Health and Safety Executive as the case may be;

• “approved list” means the list published by the Health and Safety Commission entitled “Information Approved for the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances (2nd edition)” as revised or re-issued from time to time;

• “fumigation” means an operation in which a substance is released into the atmosphere so as to form a gas to control or kill pests or other undesirable organisms and “fumigate” and “fumigant” shall be construed accordingly;

• “maximum exposure limit” for a substance hazardous to health means the maximum exposure limit for that substance set out in Schedule 1 in relation to the reference period specified therein when calculated by a method approved by the Health and Safety Commission;

• “micro-organism” includes any microscopic biological entity which is capable of replication;

• “occupational exposure standard” for a substance hazardous to health means the standard approved by the Health and Safety Commission for that substance in relation to the specified reference period when calculated by a method approved by the Health and Safety Commission;

• “substance” means any natural or artificial substance whether in solid or liquid form or in the form of a gas or vapour (including micro-organisms);

• “substance hazardous to health” means any substance (including any preparation) which is—

  1. (a)

     a substance which is listed in Part 1A of the approved list as dangerous for supply within the meaning of the Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulations 1984^f1 and for which the general indication of nature of risk is specified as very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant;

  2. (b)

     a substance for which a maximum exposure limit is specified in Schedule 1 or for which the Health and Safety Commission has approved an occupational exposure standard;

  3. (c)

     a micro-organism which creates a hazard to the health of any person;

  4. (d)

     dust of any kind, when present at a substantial concentration in air;

  5. (e)

     a substance, not being a substance mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) above, which creates a hazard to the health of any person which is comparable with the hazards created by substances mentioned in those sub-paragraphs.

In these Regulations, any reference to an employee being exposed to a substance hazardous to health is a reference to the exposure of that employee to a substance hazardous to health arising out of or in connection with work which is under the control of his employer.

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—