ACGIH

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. An organization that works to advance occupational and environmental health. The ACGIH publishes threshold limit values of exposure.

acute

Of short duration but severe effect. Acute health hazards are materials that cause negative health effects immediately or after a short time for people exposed to them.

adhesives

A chemical substance used to bond two or more materials together. Adhesives often come in the form of flammable liquids.

air-purifying respirator

A form of PPE with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants. Air-purifying respirators pass ambient air through the air-purifying element.

anhydrous ammonia

A chemical compound used in fertilizers and cleaning products. Anhydrous ammonia can cause irritation to the eyes and skin in small amounts, and serious chemical burns in large amounts.

asbestos

A fibrous, heat-resistant, naturally-occurring mineral once widely used for various purposes, most notably insulation. Asbestos is known to cause respiratory problems and deadly lung diseases.

biennial

Every two years. The EPA requires Large Quantity Generators of hazardous waste to submit biennial reports.

carcinogens

A substance or agent that can cause cancer. Working with carcinogens requires specialized safety training.

ceiling limit

The maximum amount of exposure to a hazardous substance that a worker can experience at any one time. Ceiling limits are set by OSHA.

chemical-protective suit

Specialized clothing that covers the entire body and provides a totally enclosed protective barrier between the skin and hazardous substances. Chemical-protective suits are part of Level A PPE.

chronic

Continuing for a long time or regularly recurring. Chronic health hazards are materials that cause negative health effects for people exposed to them regularly over a long period of time.

compressed gases

Any gas held under pressure in a gas cylinder. Gases under pressure can explode if their containers are damaged, making them a physical hazard.

contaminants

Any substance that is harmful to humans when introduced into the air, water, or soil. Airborne contaminants may require the use of PPE for respiratory protection.

coveralls

Protective clothing that covers the entire body from the wrists to the ankles. Coveralls provide good general protection for the skin against hazards like skin irritants.

cranes

A lifting device that moves loads vertically and horizontally. Cranes can be fixed or mobile and can be driven manually or powered.

cutting fluid

Any fluid used to cool, lubricate, and clear chips during metal cutting. Cutting fluid can be made of oil, water, synthetic fluids, or a combination of these.

Department of Energy

A department of the U.S. federal government that oversees energy production and safety. The Department of Energy regulates the disposal of radioactive waste and other nuclear materials.

Department of Transportation

DOT. A department of the U.S. government concerned with transportation, including the movement of people and goods from one location to another. The Department of Transportation regulates how hazardous materials are transported.

dollies

A manually operated cart with two or four wheels used to move heavy objects. Dollies are also known as hand trucks.

DOT

Department of Transportation. A department of the U.S. government concerned with transportation, including the movement of people and goods from one location to another. DOT regulates how hazardous materials are transported.

drum racks

Storage equipment with shaped sections designed to hold drums securely in place. Drum racks help to prevent accidental dropping or collapse of storage drums.

EAPs

Emergency Action Plans. A written plan detailing procedures to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during an emergency. EAPs should include evacuation, critical shutdown, and emergency reporting procedures, as well as methods for accounting for personnel, rescue, and medical duty assignment.

Emergency Action Plan

EAP. A written plan detailing procedures to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during an emergency. An emergency action plan should include evacuation, critical shutdown, and emergency reporting procedures, as well as methods for accounting for personnel, rescue, and medical duty assignment.

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA. The U.S. federal government agency that carries out federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure a clean, healthy environment. The Environmental Protection Agency maintains standards for the disposal of hazardous waste.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S. federal government agency that carries out federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure a clean, healthy environment. EPA maintains standards for the disposal of hazardous waste.

face shield

A rigid, transparent plastic sheet that covers the worker's entire face to protect against dust or splashes. Because face shields do not protect against impacts, they are often worn with goggles.

fire extinguishers

A portable device that uses a rapid spray of chemicals to put out small fires. Fire extinguishers commonly contain compressed gases.

fire-suppression systems

An automatic system used for preventing or extinguishing fires. Fire-suppression systems include sprinklers and chemical systems.

first responders

Specially trained professionals such as firefighters, paramedics, or law enforcement officers who are typically the first to arrive and provide assistance in an emergency. First responders to an emergency at a facility that works with hazardous materials should be provided with the SDS for each hazardous material on-site.

flammable liquids

A liquid that will ignite if it reaches its flash point and is provided with an ignition source. Flammable liquids have a flash point below 100° F (38° C) and can typically ignite at room temperature.

flash point

The lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture. Liquids with low flash points pose the greatest danger.

forklifts

A small powered industrial vehicle that has two prongs on the front for lifting material. Forklifts are used to transport heavy loads.

hard hat

A lightweight, protective head covering, usually made of plastic, used to protect the head from impacts, bumps, and electrical shock. Hard hats have a shock-absorbing lining with a headband and straps that suspend the shell away from the skull.

Hazard Communication Standard

HCS. An established OSHA policy that sets guidelines for hazard communication. The Hazard Communication Standard emphasizes labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and employee training.

hazardous materials

Any substance that may present either a health hazard or a physical hazard to human beings. Hazardous materials in the workplace are mainly regulated by OSHA.

hazardous waste generators

Any entity or person (business, industry, or service, public or private) that first creates or produces a hazardous waste or first brings a hazardous waste into the country. Hazardous waste generators are regulated by the EPA and divided into categories based on the quantity of hazardous waste they generate per month.

HCS

Hazard Communication Standard. An established OSHA policy that sets guidelines for hazard communication. The HCS emphasizes labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and employee training.

health hazard

Any substance that can cause acute or chronic negative health effects. Health hazards include substances such as toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and skin or eye irritants.

hydrogen

The lightest and most common chemical element. Liquified concentrated hydrogen is easy to ignite and presents a serious fire risk.

labels

A printed form of identification that is attached to a container. Labels for hazardous materials are required by OSHA to include specific information.

Large Quantity Generators

LQGs. Businesses that generate more than 1000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. Large Quantity Generators must register with the EPA, submit biennial reports, and follow very strict regulations for hazardous waste.

lead

A toxic, bluish-white metal that is very soft and ductile. Lead is a chronic health hazard in low concentrations, and an acute health hazard in very high concentrations.

Level A PPE

A level of PPE for hazardous materials that is designed for situations requiring the highest levels of skin, eye, and respiratory protection. Level A PPE includes equipment such as an independent air supply and a disposable over-suit.

Level B PPE

A level of PPE for hazardous materials that is designed for situations requiring the highest level of respiratory protection and a moderate level of skin protection. Level B PPE includes much of the same equipment as Level A PPE, but lacks a disposable over-suit.

Level C PPE

A level of PPE for hazardous materials that is designed for situations requiring moderate levels of respiratory and skin protection. Level C PPE includes equipment such as an air-purifying respirator and hooded chemical-resistant clothing.

Level D PPE

A level of PPE for hazardous materials that is designed for situations requiring no respiratory protection and minimal skin protection. Level D PPE is similar to the PPE worn at a typical construction site.

machine tools

A power-driven machine that uses a cutting tool to remove metal from a workpiece. Common examples of machine tools include the drill press, the lathe, and the mill.

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA. A non-profit organization that maintains standards of public safety and fire prevention. The National Fire Protection Association publishes standards for hazardous materials handling and storage.

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The U.S. agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the US Department of Health and Human Services.

non-reactive

Materials that do not undergo changes when in contact with one another. Common non-reactive materials for storage containers include steel and glass.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency under the U.S. Dept. of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency under the U.S. Dept. of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments.

oxygen

A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that naturally exists in the atmosphere and is essential to human life. Oxygen is often stored as a compressed gas in a gas cylinder.

oxygen-deficient atmospheres

Any environment where the air contains less than 19.5% oxygen. Oxygen-deficient atmospheres may be created when other gases displace oxygen, or when oxygen is consumed by fire or chemical reactions.

parts per million

ppm. A measurement that assesses how many parts of one substance are present in one million parts of another substance. Parts per million are used to calculate a person's exposure to a hazardous material by measuring how much of that substance is present in the surrounding environment.

permissible exposure limits

PEL. The amount of time, based on a time-weighted average of an eight-hour shift, someone can be exposed to a harmful substance. The permissible exposure limit is set by OSHA and indicates exposure that can occur before adverse effects take place.

personal protective equipment

PPE. Any clothing or device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, safety gloves, and a breathing mask.

petroleum

A naturally occurring crude oil found below the surface of the earth. Petroleum is commonly used as a fossil fuel and is also the raw base for many plastics.

physical hazard

Any substance that can cause bodily harm from physical injuries. Physical hazards include substances such as explosives, compressed gases, and flammable liquids.

pictograms

A graphic symbol used to communicate specific information about the dangers presented by a hazardous material. OSHA regulations set down eight mandatory pictograms and one non-mandatory, optional pictogram.

PPE

Personal protective equipment. Any clothing or device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. PPE may include safety glasses, safety gloves, and a breathing mask.

precautionary statements

Phrases that describe measures for minimizing exposure to a hazardous material. Precautionary statements are a required element of an HCS label.

propane

A colorless, flammable gas commonly used as a fuel. Propane is often stored as a compressed gas in a gas cylinder.

radioactive

Emitting radiation. Radioactive materials can cause cancer and a variety of other serious health conditions in people exposed to them.

react

When two materials interact, creating changes in their chemical make-up. Accidental reactions between hazardous materials can create serious physical or health hazards to employees.

respiratory

Relating to the organs involved in breathing air. Respiratory organs include the nose, esophagus, and lungs.

Safety Data Sheets

SDS. Mandatory information that must accompany every type of hazardous material in the workplace. Safety Data Sheets include detailed information about the hazardous substance, including instructions for safe handling and emergency response.

safety glasses

Protective eyeglasses with metal or plastic frames and impact-resistant lenses. Many safety glasses also have protective side shields.

SDS

Safety Data Sheet. Mandatory information that must accompany every type of hazardous material in the workplace. An SDS includes detailed information about the hazardous substance, including instructions for safe handling and emergency response.

self-contained breathing apparatus

An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user. A self-contained breathing apparatus is part of Level A and Level B PPE.

short-term exposure limit

STEL. The amount of a hazardous chemical to which a worker can be exposed for a short period of time, usually around 15 minutes, based on a time-weighted average. Short-term exposure limits are set by OSHA.

signal word

A term that indicates the severity of the risks presented by a hazardous substance. Signal words are required elements of an OSHA HCS label.

silica

A crystalline material that is an important ingredient in concrete, ceramics, glass, and many other building materials. Silica dust can cause serious lung diseases if it is inhaled over a long period of time.

Small Quantity Generators

SQGs. Businesses that generate between 100 kilograms and 1000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. Small Quantity Generators must register with the EPA and follow many regulations for hazardous waste.

solvents

A chemical substance that attempts to dissolve another substance, causing material degradation. Common solvents include alcohol, gasoline, and chlorine.

time-weighted average

An average exposure to a hazardous substance over a specified period of time, usually eight hours. OSHA PELs are given as time-weighted averages.

ventilation systems

A series of devices designed to remove potentially hazardous air from a work area and replace it with clean air. Ventilation systems are often composed of ductwork, exhaust hoods, filters, and fans, among other components.

Very Small Quantity Generators

VSQGs. Businesses that generate less than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. Very Small Quantity Generators do not need to register with the EPA.