Safety Acronyms and Terms Glossary
Safety has a lot of acronyms. Here is what the most common ones mean, in plain language. If you are choosing an OccuPros course or service and you hit a term that is not here, call us at (469) 746-4040 and we will point you to the right place.
Regulators and standards
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety rules in the United States.
OSHA 10: A 10-hour OSHA Outreach course that teaches entry-level workers to recognize and avoid common job-site hazards.
OSHA 30: A 30-hour OSHA Outreach course for supervisors and anyone with safety responsibility. It goes deeper than OSHA 10.
NFPA: National Fire Protection Association. The organization that writes widely used fire and electrical safety codes.
NFPA 70E: The NFPA standard for electrical safety in the workplace, including arc flash and shock protection.
DOT: United States Department of Transportation. It regulates commercial driving and the transport of hazardous materials.
NSC: National Safety Council. A nonprofit focused on eliminating preventable deaths and injuries at work, on the road, and at home.
Certifications and credentials
BCSP: Board of Certified Safety Professionals. The body that grants the safety certifications below.
CSP: Certified Safety Professional. A senior BCSP credential held by experienced safety practitioners.
ASP: Associate Safety Professional. A BCSP credential earned on the path toward the CSP.
CHST: Construction Health and Safety Technician. A BCSP credential focused on construction safety.
CIH: Certified Industrial Hygienist. An expert in finding and controlling workplace health hazards such as noise, dust, and chemicals.
SMS: Safety Management Specialist. A BCSP credential for professionals who manage safety programs.
Training and compliance terms
HAZWOPER: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. OSHA-required training for people who work with hazardous substances or respond to spills.
HazCom: Hazard Communication. OSHA’s standard for telling workers about the chemical hazards they may face.
GHS: Globally Harmonized System. The international system for chemical labels and safety data sheets.
SDS: Safety Data Sheet. The document that explains a chemical’s hazards and how to handle it safely.
LOTO: Lockout/Tagout. The procedure for shutting off and securing equipment before service so it cannot start unexpectedly.
PIT: Powered Industrial Truck. OSHA’s term for forklifts and similar powered equipment.
JSA or JHA: Job Safety Analysis or Job Hazard Analysis. A step-by-step review of a task that identifies hazards and controls before the work starts.
TRIR: Total Recordable Incident Rate. A standard measure of how often recordable injuries happen at a company.
EHS: Environment, Health, and Safety. The function inside a company that manages workplace and environmental risk.
Industrial Hygiene: The science of anticipating, measuring, and controlling health hazards in the workplace.
Equipment and emergency response
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment. Gear such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and respirators that protects workers.
AED: Automated External Defibrillator. A device that can restore a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The technique that keeps blood and oxygen moving when someone’s heart or breathing has stopped.
Contractor prequalification
ISNetworld, Avetta, and Veriforce: Contractor prequalification platforms. Many large companies require contractors to maintain a strong safety record and current training in one of these systems before they can be hired. OccuPros training is accepted by all three.
OccuPros terms
Mobile Training Unit (MTU): The OccuPros training vehicle that brings hands-on safety training directly to your site.
Knowledge Module: An OccuPros online course that covers the classroom (knowledge) portion of a safety topic. For equipment that requires a hands-on evaluation, you pair the online module with an in-person practical session.
Still not sure what you need?
Call (469) 746-4040 or request a proposal and we will route you to the right training, class, or service.
