If your team doesn’t know what key safety terms mean, how can they be expected to communicate clearly, take the right actions, or make confident decisions?
Every person in your workplace should understand these terms – because shared language removes confusion, strengthens accountability, and helps create a safer environment.
Whether you’re a leader, safety officer, HR manager or team lead, here are ten core safety terms everyone should know. We’ve included plain explanations, real-world examples, and links to useful resources.
1. Risk tolerance
Risk tolerance is the level of exposure to harm your organisation or team will accept before taking action. It shapes decisions on hazard controls and incident responses — for example, deciding whether additional safety measures are justified for tasks with moderate risk.
2. Positive duties
Under the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, positive duties require organisations to take proactive steps to eliminate or reduce risks before harm occurs. This legal duty applies to workplace safety, discrimination, and human rights.
Read more here: https://ldn.com.au/what-are-positive-duties-organisational-culture/
3. Hearts and minds
A “hearts and minds” approach to safety engages both emotion (hearts) and rationale (minds). It encourages people to take personal responsibility for safety, beyond just following rules.
Learn how this method improves engagement and culture: https://ldn.com.au/safety-programs-hearts-and-minds/
4. Psychosocial hazards
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work design or organisation that pose a risk to psychological or physical health — such as bullying, isolation, or excessive job demands. WHS laws now require employers to proactively manage these risks. Victoria will follow suit in December 2025.
Find out more: https://ldn.com.au/visible-and-invisible-risks-in-the-workplace-managing-psychosocial-hazards-at-work/
5. LTI (lost time injury)
An LTI is a work-related injury that results in an employee being unable to perform their next full shift. It is a critical metric for tracking safety performance and identifying areas for improvement.
6. Reasonably practicable
This is a key legal standard under WHS law. It means doing what is reasonably able to be done to ensure health and safety, by considering:
- The likelihood of the risk occurring
- The potential severity of harm
- What is known, or ought reasonably be known, about the hazard
- The availability and suitability of risk controls
- The cost of control measures versus the level of risk
For more, read the Safe Work Australia guideline: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/interpretive_guideline_-_reasonably_practicable.pdf
7. Due diligence
Due diligence means taking every reasonable precaution to protect health, safety, and welfare. It’s a fundamental responsibility of officers and senior leaders.
Watch this video on six key questions that demonstrate due diligence in action: https://ldn.com.au/6-due-diligence-questions-every-safety-leader-must-ask/
8. Safety culture
Safety culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and behaviours within a workplace that determine how safety is prioritised and practiced. A strong safety culture empowers individuals to take initiative and reinforces that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
9. SWMS (safe work method statement)
A SWMS outlines how high-risk construction and industrial work is to be carried out safely. It includes step-by-step instructions, hazards, risk controls, and review measures. It’s mandatory in industries like construction, energy, and mining. It ensures everyone is aligned before work begins.
10. Risk assessment
Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risk they pose, and implementing control measures. It’s the foundation of proactive safety management. Common high-value SEO terms related to this topic include “workplace risk assessment,” “hazard identification,” and “safety risk control.”
Why this matters
These safety terms build a shared language and understanding across your organisation and they’re more than buzzwords – they’re essential to building a safety culture that’s proactive, informed, and compliant.
