NCCER Core Curriculum key terms

Clothing and gear worn to protect a worker from injury, such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots. Employers supply it and workers must inspect it and wear it correctly.

A device that cuts power almost instantly when it senses current leaking to ground. It is required on construction sites to reduce shock risk, especially outdoors and in wet locations.

A safety procedure in which an energy source is shut off, locked, and marked with a tag so equipment cannot be started while someone is servicing it.

A document from the product maker listing a chemical's hazards, safe handling, first aid, and storage needs. Workers read it before using an unfamiliar product.

A worker named by the employer who can spot existing and predictable hazards on a site and has the authority to stop work or correct the problem right away.

Systems and practices that keep workers from falling from heights, including guardrails, personal fall arrest harnesses, and safe ladder use. It is required above the regulated height.

The amount of surface a shape covers, measured in square units such as square feet. For a rectangle, multiply length by width.

The amount of space a three-dimensional object takes up, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular shape, multiply length by width by height; concrete is usually ordered in cubic yards.

A comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other, written like 3:1. Ratios are used to mix mortar, concrete, and other materials to the right proportions.

A rule stating that in a right triangle the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. A 3-4-5 triangle is used to check square corners.

A tool with sealed vials of liquid and air bubbles; the bubble centers between the marks when a surface is level or plumb. Used to check horizontal and vertical alignment.

A cord coated with chalk that is stretched tight between two points and snapped to leave a straight reference line on a surface. Used for layout and marking cuts.

A flat L-shaped tool whose arms meet at exactly 90 degrees and carry marked scales. It is used to lay out angles, check corners for square, and mark rafters.

A striking hand tool with a flat face for driving nails and a curved claw for pulling them. Gripping near the end of the handle gives the most control and force.

The sudden, violent reaction of a power tool, especially a saw, when the blade binds or gets pinched. It can throw the tool at the operator, so the work must be supported and the cut kept straight.

A cover around the exposed part of a cutting blade or wheel that moves aside only as the cut is made. It must never be removed or tied back.

A tool that drives fasteners into concrete or steel using an explosive powder charge. Only trained, certified operators may use one, and eye and hearing protection are required.

A plug with two flat blades and a round grounding pin that carries stray current safely to earth. The ground pin must never be cut off or bent to fit an older outlet.

The section of a drawing, usually at the lower right, that names the project and sheet and shows the scale, date, and the people who drew and approved it.

A drawing view that shows the outside face of a building or object straight on from the side. Elevations show heights, doors, windows, and finish grades.

A view made by imagining a cut through a building or object so the inside can be seen, with the cut surface hatched. It reveals construction that other views hide.

The ratio between a distance on a drawing and the real distance it stands for, such as one-quarter inch equals one foot. Measure only with a tool matched to that ratio.

A dashed line on a drawing that shows an edge or object that cannot be seen in the current view, such as framing buried inside a wall.

The greatest load a sling, shackle, or other rigging part is rated to lift safely under normal conditions. It is marked on the hardware and must never be exceeded.

The point at which an object's weight balances in every direction. Hooking a load above this point keeps it level and steady during a lift.

The angle between a sling leg and the horizontal load. As the angle gets smaller, tension in the leg rises sharply and the amount it can safely lift drops.

A sling setup in which the sling wraps around the load and passes back through one eye, tightening on itself as the load rises. It grips well but lowers capacity.

A rope tied to a load and held by a worker standing clear to control swinging and spinning during a lift. It keeps the load from drifting out of position.

A communication skill in which the listener gives full attention, asks questions, and restates the message to confirm understanding instead of just waiting to reply.

Repeating a message back in your own words to check that you understood the speaker correctly and to show you were paying attention.

The order of authority in a company, showing whom each worker reports to and who issues instructions. Following it prevents confusion and gets problems to the right person.

A short written summary of a person's work history, education, skills, and references, used when applying for a job. It should be neat, honest, and free of errors.

The habit of showing up on time, doing assigned work carefully, following rules, and finishing tasks without constant supervision. Employers value it as much as technical skill.

Arriving at work and coming back from breaks at the scheduled time, ready to start. Being repeatedly late is one of the quickest ways to lose a job.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for favors, or other sexual conduct, verbal or physical, that creates a hostile or offensive workplace. It is illegal and should be reported.

A way of lifting that keeps the back straight, bends the knees, holds the load close to the body, and raises it with the legs. Never twist while lifting.

The extra force gained by using a device such as a lever, pulley, or wheelbarrow, which lets a worker move a load heavier than they could handle directly.

A flat wooden or plastic platform on which materials are stacked so a forklift or pallet jack can lift and move them as one unit.