Safety Glossary

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AED

Automated External Defibrillator - a machine used to deliver an electrical shock to persons in cardiac arrest; AEDs have been shown to decrease mortality when used in conjunction with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Asbestosis

A non-cancerous lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers tear the tissue of the lung wall, and the tissue scars, becoming stiff and preventing the lung from working as it is supposed to; Asbestosis is progressive.

ASTD

American Society for Training and Development - the world's largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing; attempts to restore circulation of the blood and prevent death or brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

HAZWOPER

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard - applies to five distinct groups of employers and their employees: clean-up operations, corrective actions, voluntary clean-up operations, operations involving hazardous wastes, and emergency response operations.

IDLH

Immediate Danger to Life or Health -  an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

Mesothelioma

A benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - an organization with the three primary goals of conducting research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries, promoting safe and healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations and capacity building, and enhancing the global workplace safety and health through international collaborations.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration -  OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment - equipment designed to protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards; includes goggles, coveralls, gloves, vests, earplugs or ear muffs, hard hats, protective shoes, and respirators.

SAT

Systematic Approach to Training - a training system which incorporates five destinct phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

SCBA

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus - air respirator system designed for industrial applications in IDLH environments.

SIA

Scaffold Industry Association - a non-profit organization which promotes scaffold safety.

 

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