BCSP GSP flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Hierarchy of Controls

Ranked intervention strategy from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment. Controls higher in the hierarchy protect more people and rely less on individual behavior.

Residual Risk

The level of risk remaining after existing or planned controls are applied. It is compared against documented risk acceptance criteria to decide whether additional controls or work restrictions are required.

Risk Assessment Matrix

A tool plotting likelihood against severity to assign risk levels and prioritize action. It standardizes decisions so similar hazards receive consistent treatment across departments and shifts.

Permissible Exposure Limit

An OSHA regulatory limit for airborne contaminant exposure, generally expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Feasible engineering and administrative controls are required before relying on respiratory protection.

Threshold Limit Value

An ACGIH guidance value representing airborne concentrations believed safe for most workers over a working lifetime. It is not a legal limit and may be more protective than an OSHA PEL.

Time-Weighted Average

The average exposure concentration over a reference period, computed by summing concentration-times-duration products and dividing by total hours. Used to compare sampling results against 8-hour exposure limits.

Hearing Conservation Program

Required at an 8-hour noise exposure of 85 dBA. Includes baseline and annual audiograms, hearing protection availability, employee training, and evaluation of permanent standard threshold shifts.

Noise Exchange Rate

The decibel increase that halves allowable exposure duration. OSHA uses a 5 dB exchange rate; the equal-energy rule uses 3 dB, meaning 88 dBA permits half the time of 85 dBA.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

An engineering control capturing contaminants at or near the source before they enter the breathing zone. Effectiveness depends on hood design, capture velocity, duct transport velocity, and regular maintenance.

Respiratory Protection Program

Required when respirators are used: medical evaluation, fit testing, training, cartridge change schedules, and storage and maintenance procedures. Engineering controls must be considered first where feasible.

Safety Data Sheet

A 16-section document describing a chemical's hazards, composition, first aid, firefighting measures, handling, exposure controls, and disposal. Must be readily accessible to exposed workers.

Hazard Communication Standard

Requires chemical manufacturers to classify hazards and label containers, and employers to maintain SDSs and train workers on hazards and protective measures in a language they understand.

Confined Space Entry Permit

A written authorization specifying hazards, atmospheric testing results, isolation, ventilation, attendants, and rescue arrangements before entry into a permit-required confined space.

Atmospheric Testing Order

Test oxygen content first, then flammables, then toxic gases. Testing proceeds from outside to inside and top to bottom because gases stratify by density.

Lockout Tagout

Energy control procedure isolating hazardous energy sources with locks and tags before servicing equipment. Requires written procedures, training, periodic inspection, and verification of zero energy state.

Machine Guarding

Physical barriers preventing contact with points of operation, rotating parts, and nip points. Guards must be attached, not easily bypassed, and must not create new hazards.

Fall Protection Threshold

General industry fall protection is triggered at four feet for general surfaces, with different triggers for scaffolds, ladders, and construction. Systems include guardrails, nets, and personal fall arrest.

Personal Fall Arrest System

Anchorage, connector, and full-body harness limiting free fall to six feet and arresting force to 1,800 pounds. Anchors must support 5,000 pounds per worker or be engineered equivalently.

Incident Investigation

A structured process collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing causal factors to identify root causes. Focuses on system failures rather than blame to increase reporting and prevention.

Root Cause Analysis

Methods such as five-why, fault tree, and fishbone diagram that trace an incident beyond immediate causes to underlying management system deficiencies, enabling corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

Near Miss

An unplanned event that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting and investigating near misses reveals failures before harm occurs.

Leading Indicator

A proactive measure such as inspection completion, training hours, or near-miss reports that predicts future safety performance. Contrasts with lagging indicators like injury rates.

Total Recordable Incident Rate

Computed as recordable cases times 200,000 divided by total hours worked. The 200,000 constant represents 100 full-time workers at 40 hours for 50 weeks.

Days Away Restricted Transfer Rate

Calculated as days-away, restricted, or transfer cases times 200,000 divided by hours worked. Tracks more severe outcomes than the total recordable rate.

Job Safety Analysis

Breaks a task into sequential steps, identifies hazards at each step, and specifies controls. Performed with the workers who do the job to ensure accuracy and buy-in.

Behavior-Based Safety

Observation and feedback process targeting unsafe behaviors. Effective only when paired with hazard abatement, since it can unfairly shift responsibility to workers for system-caused risks.

Emergency Action Plan

Written plan covering reporting procedures, evacuation routes, accounting for personnel, rescue duties, and training. Required elements vary with facility size and fire-suppression arrangements.

Spill Prevention Control Countermeasure

Plan required for facilities storing oil above threshold quantities, addressing containment, inspection, and response. Prevents discharges to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.

Hazardous Waste Manifest

Shipping document tracking hazardous waste from generator through transporter to treatment facility. Signed copies confirm delivery and support cradle-to-grave liability requirements.

Ergonomic Risk Factors

Force, repetition, awkward posture, vibration, contact stress, and duration combine to cause musculoskeletal disorders. Reducing any single factor lowers overall injury risk.

Heat Stress Controls

Acclimatization, water, rest, shade, and monitoring for heat illness signs. Wet-bulb globe temperature or heat index guides work-rest scheduling and fluid replacement.

Safety Training Evaluation

Assesses reaction, learning, behavior, and results to confirm training changed workplace outcomes. Knowledge tests alone do not demonstrate transfer to job performance.