OSHA 30 key terms

The federal law that created OSHA and requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It covers most private-sector employers and their employees in the United States.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, which requires an employer to furnish a workplace free of recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm, even when no specific standard covers the hazard.

Any condition or practice where a workplace hazard could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately, or before normal enforcement steps could remove it. OSHA treats reports of such conditions as its top inspection priority.

A work-related injury or illness that must be entered on the employer's OSHA 300 Log because it involves death, days away from work, restricted work, job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosis.

An OSH Act provision that forbids employers from retaliating against employees who exercise safety and health rights, such as filing a complaint, taking part in an inspection, or reporting an injury or illness.

A person who can identify existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. The role applies to decisions about fall protection, ladders, and similar hazards.

The systems and practices used to prevent or arrest falls from heights, such as guardrails, safety nets, covers, and personal fall arrest. In general industry, protection is required when employees work 4 feet or more above a lower level.

Equipment that stops a falling worker, made up of an anchorage, connectors, a full body harness, and a lanyard or lifeline with a deceleration device. It must be rigged to limit free fall and arresting forces.

A fixed structural point or object to which fall arrest equipment is attached. For personal fall arrest it must support at least 5,000 pounds per employee, or be designed by a qualified person with a safety factor of at least two.

A barrier of rails and posts installed along open sides, edges, and platforms to prevent falls, typically with a top rail about 42 inches high, a midrail, and a toeboard where required.

A rigid cover placed over an opening in a floor, roof, or other walking surface to stop people and objects from falling through. Covers must support at least twice the intended load, be secured, and be marked as a hole or cover.

A device attached to a fixed ladder, such as a carrier, cable, or lifeline, that protects climbers from falling. It must be inspected before use and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

A rail along the side of a stairway that gives employees something to grip for balance and support. Stairways with four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches, generally need at least one handrail.

A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way. It is made up of three parts: exit access, the exit itself, and exit discharge.

A continuous, unobstructed way out of a workplace that includes exit access, the exit, and the path to the outside. Exit routes must stay free of obstructions and be marked so employees can find them.

A sign that clearly marks the direction to an exit, with letters at least 6 inches high and legible from the nearest point in the exit access. Signs must be illuminated as required so they remain visible.

A written plan describing how employees respond to emergencies, including reporting procedures, evacuation or shelter-in-place assignments, procedures to account for employees, and rescue or medical duties.

A written plan that lists major workplace fire hazards, describes proper handling and storage of flammable materials, and explains how fire prevention equipment and controls are maintained to stop fires before they start.

A device or system used to warn employees of fire or other emergencies and to trigger the needed response. It must be distinctive, perceptible over background noise, and tested as required.

A four-step method for using a portable fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side while staying at a safe distance.

The letter ratings A, B, C, D, and K that identify which fires an extinguisher may be used on: ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, energized electrical equipment, combustible metals, and cooking oils.

The condition in which a circuit or equipment has been disconnected from every energy source and verified to have no voltage. Work on or near exposed energized parts is allowed only under strict, limited conditions.

A device that senses small current leaks to ground and quickly shuts off power to prevent shock. Portable GFCIs are required for temporary receptacles used in construction and similar wet or outdoor work.

A written program of visual inspections and continuity tests that verifies the grounding path of cord-and-plug tools and cords, used in some settings as an alternative to GFCI protection.

A sudden, high-energy electrical discharge through air that releases intense heat, light, pressure, and molten metal. It can burn, blind, or throw a worker, which is why equipment is de-energized before work.

A review of workplace tasks and conditions to decide whether hazards are present or likely and what eye, face, head, foot, or hand protection is needed. Employers must document and certify the assessment.

Clothing and gear such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, and safety shoes worn to reduce exposure to hazards. PPE is the last line of defense and does not replace engineering or administrative controls.

Devices such as safety glasses, goggles, and face shields that protect against flying particles, dust, chemicals, and light radiation. They must meet the required impact standard and fit the wearer properly.

A standardized document with 16 sections describing a hazardous chemical's identity, hazards, safe handling, first aid, firefighting measures, and spill response. Employers must keep SDSs accessible to workers on each shift.

A black hazard symbol on a white background inside a red diamond border that appears on labels and safety data sheets to signal a specific hazard class, such as flammability, acute toxicity, or corrosion.

The employer's written program describing how labels, safety data sheets, and training will be handled for hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including a list of the chemicals present.

A mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material, such as a forklift. Operators must be trained and evaluated on the specific truck in use at least every three years.

The maximum load that a sling, chain, hook, or other lifting component is designed to handle safely, as marked by the manufacturer. Equipment must never be loaded beyond that rating.

Keeping stored materials on stable, level surfaces, limiting stack height, and placing heavy or bulky items low. Stored material must not block exits, sprinkler heads, or electrical panels.

The area on a machine where work is actually performed on the material, such as where a blade cuts or a press punches. It must be guarded so hands and other body parts cannot reach the danger area.

A barrier, device, or location that keeps employees from contacting moving machine parts or other hazardous areas. Guards must be attached to the machine and must not be easily removed or bypassed.

A point where two rotating parts move toward each other, or where a rotating part passes a stationary surface, creating a pinching or crushing hazard, such as between gears or a belt and pulley.

A documented method for shutting down, isolating, blocking, and locking out energy sources before machines are serviced, including steps to verify isolation and release any stored energy.