CAQ-OccMed key terms

A health condition caused or made worse mainly by work-related exposure or activity. Recognition usually requires a documented hazard, a compatible clinical picture, and a reasonable temporal and causal link.

Physical harm arising from a work-related event or exposure, such as a fall, laceration, or needlestick. Reporting and workers' compensation requirements often differ from those for occupational disease.

A ranked approach to reducing workplace hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment. Higher tiers are generally more reliable because they depend less on individual worker behavior.

Devices worn by workers, such as respirators, gloves, and hearing protection, to reduce exposure. It is the least reliable control tier and requires fit testing, training, maintenance, and program oversight to be effective.

A physical change to the workplace or process, such as local exhaust ventilation, machine guarding, or noise enclosures, that reduces hazard exposure at its source without relying on worker behavior.

The systematic process of identifying hazards, characterizing who is exposed, and estimating the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. It underpins risk characterization and control decisions.

The discipline of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace environmental factors that may cause illness or impaired health. It relies on sampling, exposure modeling, and control strategy design.

A regulatory occupational exposure limit, such as those set by OSHA, defining the maximum airborne concentration of a substance to which workers may be exposed over a specified averaging period. Many are legally enforceable.

A nonregulatory exposure guideline published by a professional scientific committee, representing airborne concentrations believed tolerable for most workers over a working lifetime. It is advisory rather than legal and is periodically revised.

Measurement of a chemical, its metabolite, or a biological effect in a worker's blood, urine, exhaled air, or other tissue to estimate absorbed dose. It integrates all routes of exposure, including skin absorption.

A guidance value for a determinant measured in biological specimens, corresponding to acceptable exposure for a chemical. It helps interpret biological monitoring results against a reference worker population.

A preventable disease, injury, or death whose occurrence signals a failure in workplace or public health prevention. Identifying such events prompts investigation of root causes and corrective action.

Ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and use of health or exposure data to detect trends, identify problems, and guide intervention. Occupational surveillance may target specific hazards, industries, or worker populations.

A planned program of periodic health evaluations for workers exposed to specific hazards, such as lead, noise, or asbestos. Its purpose is early detection of adverse effects and verification of control effectiveness.

A procedure that verifies a tight-fitting respirator seals properly on an individual worker's face. It is repeated periodically and whenever facial changes or a new respirator model may affect the seal.

The requirement to inform and train workers about chemical hazards through labels, safety data sheets, and written programs. Effective programs ensure workers understand hazards and appropriate precautions in their language.

A standardized document summarizing a chemical's hazards, composition, first-aid measures, handling, and control recommendations. It supports hazard communication and informs exposure control planning.

A no-fault insurance system that provides medical care and wage replacement to workers injured or made ill by work, generally barring tort suits against employers. Rules vary by jurisdiction and by injury versus disease claims.

A determination that a worker can safely perform the essential functions of a job, with or without reasonable accommodation. It balances functional capacity, medical condition, and job demands.

A structured assessment of a worker's physical abilities, such as lifting, carrying, and endurance, compared with job demands. Results guide return-to-work planning and accommodation decisions.

The process of reintegrating an injured or ill worker into productive employment, often through modified duties, graduated hours, or accommodations. Early, coordinated return reduces disability duration and lost productivity.

A modification to a job, work environment, or employment practice that enables a qualified worker with a disability to perform essential functions, unless it imposes undue hardship on the employer.

The determination that an exposure or work condition contributed to a health outcome, using criteria such as temporality, dose-response, consistency, and biological plausibility. It is central to compensability and prevention decisions.

The interval between initial exposure and clinical recognition of a disease, often years or decades for conditions such as asbestos-related cancer. Long latency complicates attribution and surveillance.

A fibrotic lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica, often from mining, construction, or stone work. It can progress after exposure ceases and increases tuberculosis risk.

A group of lung diseases caused by accumulation of inhaled mineral dust and the resulting tissue reaction, including silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. Imaging and exposure history support diagnosis.

Diffuse pulmonary fibrosis caused by cumulative inhalation of asbestos fibers, typically appearing after substantial exposure and long latency. It differs from asbestos-related pleural disease and mesothelioma.

Irreversible sensorineural hearing loss caused by chronic hazardous noise exposure, initially affecting high frequencies. Prevention relies on noise control, hearing protection, and audiometric monitoring.

Measurement of hearing thresholds to detect early noise-induced changes and monitor program effectiveness. Baseline and periodic tests are compared, with significant shifts triggering follow-up and intervention.

Asthma caused or aggravated by workplace exposures, either through sensitization to an agent or irritant effects. Early recognition and removal from exposure improve prognosis.

An immune-mediated response in which prior exposure to an agent leads to an exaggerated reaction on later exposure, as with some isocyanates or latex. Once sensitized, even low exposures may provoke symptoms.

Skin inflammation at the site of contact with an external agent, either irritant or allergic in mechanism. It is among the most common occupational skin diseases and is prevented by exposure control.

Adverse health effects from absorbed lead, affecting the nervous, hematologic, and renal systems. Occupational prevention uses exposure control and biological monitoring of blood lead levels.

Central or peripheral nervous system impairment caused by exposure to organic solvents, ranging from acute intoxication to chronic cognitive or neuropathic effects. Exposure assessment and control are central to prevention.

The net load of environmental and metabolic heat on a worker, which can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or other disorders. Acclimatization, hydration, rest breaks, and monitoring are key controls.

Percutaneous injury from a contaminated needle or sharp, carrying risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Prompt reporting, post-exposure prophylaxis, and safer devices reduce risk.

The design of work, tools, and tasks to match human physical and cognitive capabilities, reducing musculoskeletal strain and error. Effective programs combine assessment, workstation redesign, and worker participation.

An injury or condition affecting muscles, tendons, nerves, or joints, often related to repetitive motion, force, or awkward posture. Work-related cases are addressed through ergonomic controls and early intervention.

A structured review of a task that identifies hazards at each step and specifies controls and safe procedures. It is used to prevent injury and to train workers in safe work methods.

A workplace investigation, often requested by employers or workers, that assesses whether exposures or conditions pose a health risk. Findings inform recommendations for exposure control and medical follow-up.