Glossary Of OSHA And Safety Terms

OSHA Safety Glossary

Accident



An unplanned event that results in injury, illness, or property damage



Administrative Controls



Policies or procedures used to reduce exposure to hazards (e.g., job rotation, training)



Aerosol



Tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in air that may be inhaled



Bloodborne Pathogens



Microorganisms in blood that can cause disease, such as HIV or hepatitis B



Chemical Hazard



A chemical that can cause harm through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion
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Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)



A written program describing procedures to protect lab workers from chemical hazards



Confined Space



An area large enough to enter but with limited entry/exit and not designed for continuous occupancy



Corrective Action



Steps taken to eliminate or reduce a workplace hazard



Ergonomics



The science of designing work tasks and equipment to reduce strain and injury



Ergonomic Hazard



Workplace conditions that cause strain or repetitive motion injuries



Exposure



Contact with a hazard through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion



Exposure Control Plan



A written program outlining how exposure to bloodborne pathogens is minimized



Engineering Controls



Physical changes to the workplace that reduce or eliminate hazards (e.g., machine guards, ventilation)



Fall Protection



Systems or practices that prevent falls, such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems



Fume Hood



A ventilated enclosure that limits exposure to hazardous fumes and vapors



Hazard



Anything with the potential to cause injury, illness, or damage



Hazard Communication (HazCom)



OSHA standard requiring employers to inform workers about chemical hazards through labels, SDSs, and training



Hazardous Waste



Chemical or biological waste requiring proper labeling and disposal



Hierarchy of Controls



A system for controlling hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE



Incident



An unplanned event that may or may not result in injury or damage



Incident / Near Miss



An unplanned event that did or could have resulted in injury



Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)



A process that identifies job-related hazards and methods to control them



Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)



Procedures to ensure machinery is properly shut off and cannot be restarted during maintenance



Machine Guarding



Physical barriers that protect workers from moving machine parts



Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) / Safety Data Sheet (SDS)



A document providing information on chemical hazards, handling, and emergency measures



Near Miss



An incident that could have caused injury or damage but did not



Noise Exposure



Harmful sound levels that may require hearing protection



Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)



The maximum allowable concentration of a hazardous substance in the workplace



OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)



The federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety and health regulations



Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)



Protective gear such as gloves, helmets, goggles, or respirators



Process Safety Management (PSM)



Regulations for handling highly hazardous chemicals



Preventive Maintenance



Scheduled servicing to keep equipment operating safely



Recordable Injury



A work-related injury or illness that must be logged on OSHA records



Risk Assessment



The process of evaluating hazards and determining their likelihood and severity



Safety Audit



A systematic review of workplace safety practices and compliance



Safety Data Sheet (SDS)



Documentation describing chemical hazards and safe handling practices



Secondary Containment



A protective barrier used to prevent spills from spreading



Scaffold



A temporary elevated platform used to support workers and materials



Sharps Injury



An injury from needles or other sharp medical instruments



Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)



Written instructions that describe how to perform tasks safely and consistently



Trenching and Excavation



Work involving earth removal that requires protective systems to prevent cave-ins



Toolbox Talk



A short, informal safety discussion held before work begins



Tuberculosis (TB) Control



Measures used to prevent airborne transmission in healthcare setting