Glossary
Some words have strict technical meanings. Other words can have a variety of meanings, depending on the context they are used in. The following definitions provide the meanings of particular words used in the context of working in the manufacturing industry in an environmentally sustainable way.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Benchmark |
A standard or point of reference. |
Code of practice |
Technical document providing guidance on how to comply with the law in a particular activity. |
Consumable |
A product or material that is used up during the process of making a product or carrying out an activity. |
Contaminant |
Any substance that may cause environmental damage or harm someone's health. |
Dangerous goods |
Substances classified by WorkCover as being 'dangerous' because of their potential to cause fires or explosions. |
Due diligence |
Carrying out the company's activities according to an acceptable standard of care. |
Duty of care |
Legal principle that requires a person or organisation to take care so that they do not cause harm to people or the environment. |
Ecosystem |
A community of plants, animals and other organisms living together in the natural environment. |
Greenhouse gas |
Any gas that tends to trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the 'greenhouse effect'. |
Hazardous substance |
Substance listed by WorkCover as being a potential risk to safety or health. |
Infrastructure |
The buildings, machines and facilities that allow a business to operate. |
Material safety data sheet (MSDS) |
Summary of the properties of a hazardous chemical or product, and information on storage, handling and emergency controls. |
Natural resources |
Materials occurring in nature that can be used to make things or provide power. |
'Non-process' energy |
Energy used to support the process of manufacturing a product or carrying out an activity, but not directly related to the immediate process itself. |
Pesticide |
Poisonous substance used to destroy insects. |
Pollution |
Contaminants that can damage air quality, water quality or other natural system in the environment. |
'Process' energy |
Energy used directly in the process of manufacturing a product or carrying out an activity. |
Ready-reckoner |
A list that can be referred to quickly for information. |
Regulation |
Legislation passed by parliament to provide details on how to implement the requirements of an Act of Parliament. |
Resource |
Any material or energy source that goes into producing an item or achieving some other outcome. |
Solvent |
Chemical product that can dissolve other liquids, solids or gases - used in products such as paint thinners, cleaning agents and glues. |
Sustainability |
Working in a way that maintains a balance between using resources for current needs and conserving resources for future needs. |
Turbid |
Muddiness of water. |
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
Chemical compounds that can evaporate into the air and cause serious environmental problems and chronic health conditions. |