Safety Glossary

Question 1

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Guidelines and practices for the safe operation of aerial lifts, such as scissor lifts or boom lifts, to prevent falls or equipment-related injuries.

Question 2

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American National Standards Institute. A private, non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States.

Question 3

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A sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists, posing risks of burns, blindness, or explosions.

Question 4

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used in building materials but is now known to cause serious lung diseases. .

Question 5

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Atmospheric hazards in confined spaces can include oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, and flammable atmospheres.

Question 6

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An employee designated by the employer to perform specific duties or be in certain areas based on training and qualifications.

Question 7

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The use of physical barriers to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous areas.

Question 8

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A safety management approach that focuses on observing and modifying workers’ behaviors to prevent accidents and injuries.

Question 9

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A biological substance (e.g., bacteria, viruses, mold) that poses a threat to human health in the workplace.

Question 10

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Infectious microorganisms present in human blood and other potentially infectious materials (e.g., hepatitis B, HIV) that can cause disease, with specific safety standards for handling.

Question 11

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The codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by executive departments and agencies.

Question 12

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Regulatory limits (e.g., PELs, TLVs) on the amount or concentration of a chemical substance workers can be exposed to over a given time period.

Question 13

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The process of evaluating the potential health and physical hazards associated with chemicals used or present in the workplace.

Question 14

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A formal written notice issued by OSHA (or a similar regulatory body) detailing one or more violations of safety and health standards.

Question 15

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Fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under specific conditions.

Question 16

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An individual capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures.

Question 17

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An area that is large enough for a worker to enter and perform work, has limited means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Examples include tanks, silos, and manholes.

Question 18

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The process and precautions for safely entering and working in confined spaces, such as tanks or silos, that may have limited access or hazardous conditions. .

Question 19

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Actions or procedures implemented to eliminate or reduce workplace hazards based on hazard analysis. This includes the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.

Question 20

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A broader term encompassing lockout/tagout, focusing on isolating all forms of hazardous energy (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) during maintenance.

Question 21

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Safety protocols and best practices for the safe operation of cranes and derricks.

Question 22

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The process of removing or neutralizing contaminants (chemical, biological, or radiological) from equipment, surfaces, or personnel.

Question 23

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Safety procedures for the controlled dismantling of structures.

Question 24

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Environment, Health, and Safety. A discipline that studies and implements practical aspects of environmental protection and safety at work.

Question 25

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A safety practice that connects electrical systems to the earth to prevent shock or equipment damage from electrical faults.

Question 26

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Practices and precautions taken to prevent electrical shock, electrocution, and other electrical hazards.

Question 27

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A designated individual responsible for overseeing the implementation of an Emergency Action Plan during a crisis.

Question 28

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A written plan outlining procedures for employees to follow during emergencies.

Question 29

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Pre-planned and clearly marked pathways designated for employees to safely exit during an emergency.

Question 30

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The science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather than physically forcing the worker's body to fit the job.

Question 31

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Practices and procedures to protect workers from cave-ins, falls, or other hazards during digging operations.

Question 32

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Any system designed to safely stop a falling worker.

Question 33

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The unobstructed area below the working level where a worker might fall.

Question 34

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Systems and measures designed to prevent workers from falling from heights.

Question 35

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A trained individual assigned to monitor for fire hazards during hot work (e.g., welding) and ensure fire safety measures are in place.

Question 36

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Using flags or other signaling devices to direct traffic or warn of hazards.

Question 37

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Liquids with a flash point below 100°F (37.8°C) that pose fire hazards and require specific storage and handling procedures.

Question 38

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Training and certification required for employees operating powered industrial trucks to ensure safe use.

Question 39

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Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. An internationally agreed-upon standard for classifying and communicating chemical hazards.

Question 40

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A barrier erected along an open edge of a floor, platform, or ramp to prevent workers from falling.

Question 41

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Guidelines for the safe use, maintenance, and storage of manual tools to prevent injuries like cuts or strains.

Question 42

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A condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury, illness, or property damage. Risk is the probability and severity of harm from a hazard.

Question 43

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The process of informing employees about chemical hazards in the workplace.

Question 44

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A systematic program to protect workers from noise-induced hearing loss.

Question 45

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Devices such as earplugs or earmuffs designed to reduce noise exposure.

Question 46

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A condition caused by overexposure to high temperatures, leading to illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, with prevention measures like hydration and rest breaks.

Question 47

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Any work involving open flames, sparks, or heat (e.g., welding, cutting) that requires specific safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions. .

Question 48

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The practice of maintaining a clean and orderly workplace to reduce hazards like slips, trips, or fire risks.

Question 49

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A systematic process of examining the facts surrounding a workplace incident to determine its root causes.

Question 50

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A metric (e.g., Total Recordable Incident Rate, TRIR) used to measure the frequency of workplace injuries and illnesses per number of work hours.

Question 51

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The process of documenting details about workplace accidents, injuries, or near misses.

Question 52

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An examination of a workplace, job site, or process to assess compliance with safety standards.

Question 53

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A systematic process for identifying and analyzing the hazards associated with specific job tasks.

Question 54

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Practices for the safe selection, inspection, and use of ladders to prevent falls or injuries.

Question 55

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A toxic metal that can cause serious health problems even at low exposure levels.

Question 56

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Techniques and guidelines to prevent injuries (e.g., strains, sprains) when lifting or moving heavy objects manually.

Question 57

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A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. This includes the concept of energy isolation.

Question 58

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Physical barriers or procedures designed to protect workers from hazards created by operating machinery.

Question 59

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Safe practices for lifting, moving, and storing materials.

Question 60

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A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way.

Question 61

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Material Safety Data Sheet/Safety Data Sheet. Documents that contain information on the potential hazards of a chemical product.

Question 62

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The documentation of an event that had the potential to cause harm but did not result in injury or damage.

Question 63

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The measured amount of noise a worker is exposed to.

Question 64

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Regulatory thresholds (e.g., OSHA’s 85 dB over 8 hours) for acceptable workplace noise levels to prevent hearing loss.

A

Aerial Lift Safety

ANSI

Arc Flash

Asbestos / Asbestos Management

Atmospheric Hazards

Authorized Person

B

Barricading

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)

Biological Hazard

Bloodborne Pathogens

C

CFR

Chemical Exposure Limits

Chemical Hazard Assessment

Citation

Combustible Dust

Competent Person

Confined Space

Confined Space Entry

Control Measures

Control of Hazardous Energy

Crane Safety / Cranes and Derricks

D

Decontamination

Demolition Safety

E

EHS

Electrical Grounding

Electrical Safety

Emergency Action Coordinator

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Emergency Evacuation Routes

Ergonomics

Excavation Safety

F

Fall Arrest System

Fall Clearance Zone

Fall Protection

Fire Watch

Flagging

Flammable Liquids

Forklift Operator Certification

G

GHS

Guardrail System

H

Hand Tool Safety

Hazard

Hazard Communication (HazCom)

Hearing Conservation Program

Hearing Protection

Heat Stress

Hot Work

Housekeeping

I

Incident Investigation / Accident Investigation

Incident Rate

Incident Reporting

Inspection

J

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

L

Ladder Safety

Lead

Lifting Safety / Manual Material Handling

Lockout/Tagout

M

Machine Guarding

Material Handling

Means of Egress

MSDS/SDS

N

Near Miss Reporting / Near Miss

Noise Exposure Level (NEL)

Noise Exposure Limits

O

OSHA