CRSP flashcards

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

Hierarchy of controls

Ranking of hazard controls from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Higher-order controls are preferred because they reduce risk without relying on worker behaviour.

Risk formula

Risk equals probability of occurrence multiplied by severity of consequence. The product sets priority; high-severity outcomes require control even when calculated probability is low.

Occupational exposure limit

A regulatory or advisory airborne concentration that should not be exceeded over a specified averaging period, such as an eight-hour time-weighted average, short-term exposure limit, or ceiling value.

Residual risk

The risk remaining after controls have been applied. It is documented and compared against tolerability criteria to decide whether further controls or periodic review are needed.

Due diligence

The documented, systematic demonstration that an employer took every reasonable precaution to prevent harm. Evidence includes written programs, training records, inspections, and timely corrective actions.

Internal responsibility system

A legal and management framework in which employers, supervisors, and workers share defined duties for workplace health and safety, supported by joint consultation and enforcement of those duties.

Plan-Do-Check-Act

A continuous improvement cycle: plan objectives and hazard controls, implement them, monitor and audit results, then act on findings through management review and corrective action.

Management review

A top-management evaluation of OHS system performance using audit results, incident trends, compliance status, and objectives progress, producing resource and system-change decisions.

Leading indicator

A preventive performance measure such as inspections completed, training hours delivered, or near-miss reports received. It predicts future outcomes rather than measuring past harm.

Lagging indicator

A retrospective performance measure such as injury rates, lost-time claims, or property damage. It reflects harm that has already occurred and cannot forecast prevention effectiveness alone.

Job hazard analysis

A structured review of a task broken into steps, identifying hazards at each step and specifying controls before work begins. It is updated when processes or equipment change.

Emergency preparedness plan

Documented arrangements for potential emergencies, covering identification of scenarios, response procedures, trained responders, communication, drills, and evaluation with corrective actions.

ALARP principle

Risk must be reduced as low as reasonably practicable, meaning controls are required unless the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk reduction achieved.

Risk matrix

A tool that combines likelihood and severity ratings to assign a risk level and priority. It guides control decisions and review intervals but does not replace judgement about severe outcomes.

Exposure assessment

Systematic measurement or estimation of worker exposure using a defined sampling strategy, compared against occupational exposure limits with documented confidence and communication to exposed workers.

Management of change

A process requiring risk reassessment before any change in equipment, chemicals, processes, or staffing is implemented, ensuring new hazards are identified and controlled in advance.

Risk register

A record listing each hazard with location, exposed persons, existing and additional controls, risk rating, responsible person, target date, residual rating, and review date.

Incidence rate formula

Injuries multiplied by 200,000, divided by total hours worked. The 200,000 base represents 100 workers at 40 hours per week for 50 weeks.

Root cause

The underlying management-system deficiency, such as inadequate design, training, or procedure, that allowed an incident. It is distinguished from immediate unsafe acts or conditions.

Near-miss reporting

Recording events that could have caused harm but did not. High near-miss volume relative to recordable injuries indicates a healthy reporting culture and provides preventive data.

Corrective action verification

Confirmation by re-inspection, observation, or monitoring that a corrective action was implemented and actually reduced risk. Verification distinguishes closure from mere completion.

Kirkpatrick evaluation levels

Four training evaluation levels: reaction, learning, behaviour, and results. Effective evaluation extends beyond participant satisfaction to confirm behaviour change and outcome improvement.

Training needs analysis

A pre-design determination of the competencies required by each role, such as worker, supervisor, or contractor, so training content matches actual task demands and gaps.

Joint health and safety committee

A consultative body with defined worker and management membership, meeting frequency, and follow-up duties, supporting worker consultation and hazard identification required in many jurisdictions.

Hazard communication

The system of labels, safety data sheets, and pictograms that informs workers of chemical hazards in a language and literacy level they can understand.

Right to refuse unsafe work

A worker's legal entitlement to decline work posing imminent danger, triggering a defined investigation and resolution process that the safety professional supports and documents.

Conflict of interest disclosure

Revealing any financial or personal interest that could bias OHS recommendations, and withdrawing from decisions where objectivity is compromised.

Confidential health information

Personal medical data shared only with those who need it and as permitted by privacy law; program decisions use aggregated data instead of individual records.

Confined space entry

Entry into a space with limited access and poor ventilation requires atmospheric testing, ventilation, an attendant, and a permit because of oxygen, flammable, and toxic hazards.

Lockout tagout

Isolation of all energy sources with locks and tags during maintenance, preventing unexpected energization or release of stored energy that could injure workers.

Noise exposure limit

A common regulatory threshold of 85 dBA over an eight-hour time-weighted average using a three-decibel exchange rate; hearing protection reduces but does not remove the hazard.

Fire tetrahedron

The four elements required for combustion: fuel, oxygen, heat, and the chemical chain reaction. Removing any one element extinguishes fire and guides extinguisher selection by fire class.