DOLE SO3 key terms

A joint labor-management body required in covered workplaces that meets regularly to review hazard reports, recommend controls, and monitor the OSH program. Its composition, functions, and meeting frequency are set by DOLE rules.

A written, workplace-specific plan documenting the company's safety and health policies, hazard controls, training, health surveillance, emergency procedures, and reporting arrangements. It must be prepared with worker participation and updated as conditions change.

A short top-management statement committing the organization to protect worker safety and health, comply with OSH regulations, and provide resources for continuous improvement. It is signed by the highest official and communicated to all workers.

A designated employee responsible for advising on OSH compliance, conducting inspections, investigating incidents, and maintaining OSH records. DOLE rules classify safety officers by training level and set the number required based on workforce size and risk.

A ranked order of risk-reduction measures, from most to least reliable: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Controls higher in the hierarchy protect all exposed workers without relying on individual behavior.

The most effective control: removing the hazard entirely by discontinuing a process, task, chemical, or piece of equipment. It is preferred over all other controls because no residual exposure remains.

Replacing a hazardous material, process, or equipment with a less hazardous alternative, such as swapping a toxic solvent for a safer one. The substitute must itself be assessed so that a new risk is not introduced.

A physical change to the workplace or equipment that reduces exposure at the source, such as local exhaust ventilation, machine guarding, or noise enclosures. It does not depend on worker behavior to be effective.

A change to work procedures or scheduling that reduces exposure, such as job rotation, limiting time in a hot area, or permit-to-work systems. These controls depend on supervision and worker compliance, so they rank below engineering measures.

Equipment worn by a worker to reduce exposure, such as helmets, respirators, gloves, or hearing protectors. It is the last line of defense because its effectiveness depends on correct selection, fit, use, and maintenance.

The systematic process of finding and listing sources of potential harm in the workplace, including unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, and process-related risks. It is the first step of risk assessment and should involve workers who do the task.

The process of evaluating identified hazards by estimating the likelihood and severity of harm, then ranking risks to decide which controls are needed and in what order. Results must be documented and reviewed when conditions change.

A table that combines likelihood and severity ratings to assign a risk level, such as low, medium, or high. It helps teams prioritize which hazards need immediate control and which can be monitored.

The risk that remains after controls have been applied. It must be assessed to confirm it is acceptable and communicated to workers, who may still need PPE or procedural safeguards.

A technique that breaks a task into steps and identifies the hazards and required controls at each step. It is useful for non-routine or high-risk jobs and supports training and procedure writing.

A written, step-by-step instruction describing how to perform a task safely, including required controls, PPE, and prohibitions. It must be based on the actual task, kept current, and understood by the workers who use it.

A formal authorization process for high-risk tasks such as hot work, confined space entry, or work at height. It verifies that controls are in place before work begins and records who authorized and performed the task.

Entry into an enclosed or partially enclosed space with limited access that is not designed for continuous occupancy and may contain hazardous atmosphere. Entry requires testing, ventilation, an attendant, and rescue arrangements.

Measuring oxygen level, flammable gas, and toxic gas in a space before and during entry. Results determine whether ventilation or respiratory protection is needed and must be recorded.

An engineering control that captures airborne contaminants at or near their source and removes them through ductwork. Its effectiveness depends on hood design, capture velocity, and regular maintenance.

A regulatory or advisory maximum concentration of an airborne contaminant averaged over a stated time period that is considered safe for most workers. It guides ventilation design, monitoring, and respirator selection.

Collecting and analyzing workplace air to estimate a worker's exposure to dust, fumes, vapor, or gas. Results are compared with exposure limits and used to decide whether controls are adequate.

A planned program of medical examinations and tests, such as audiometry or lung function testing, used to detect early signs of work-related ill health. Results are confidential and feed back into control decisions.

Required health monitoring for workers exposed to specific hazards, including pre-employment, periodic, and exit examinations. Its purpose is to protect individual workers and identify gaps in workplace controls.

A test confirming that a tight-fitting respirator seals against the wearer's face. It is done before first use and periodically thereafter, and is separate from a medical evaluation of fitness to wear a respirator.

A planned, systematic walk-through of the workplace to find unsafe conditions and practices and to check that controls are in place. Findings are recorded, assigned to a responsible person, and tracked to closure.

A structured, evidence-based review of the OSH management system against defined criteria, such as regulations or internal standards. It examines documentation, records, and practices rather than only physical conditions.

A structured inquiry into an accident or near miss to determine what happened, why, and what must change to prevent recurrence. It focuses on root causes rather than blame and produces documented corrective actions.

A method, such as the five-whys or cause-and-effect diagram, used to trace an incident beyond immediate causes to underlying system failures in training, design, supervision, or procedures.

A specific measure taken to eliminate the cause of a detected problem so it does not recur. Each action needs an owner, a deadline, and verification of completion.

An unplanned event that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting near misses gives early warning of failing controls and should be encouraged without punishment.

A documented plan describing foreseeable emergencies, alarm and communication methods, evacuation routes, assigned roles, and recovery steps. It must be tested through drills and coordinated with local responders.

A simulated emergency exercise used to test the response plan, worker readiness, and equipment. Drills are scheduled, evaluated, and followed by a debrief that identifies improvements.

A pre-designated safe location where workers gather after evacuation so that a headcount can be taken. It must be clearly marked, known to all workers, and away from the hazard.

Measures that prevent ignition, limit fuel and oxygen sources, and ensure detection, alarms, extinguishers, and escape routes. It includes training workers to use extinguishers only when safe to do so.

The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that determine how seriously an organization treats safety. It is shown by reporting without fear, management visibility, and consistent action on concerns.

Visible, resourced leadership support for safety and health, demonstrated through policy, budget, staffing, and personal participation. Without it, committees and programs lose authority and worker trust.

The combination of training, experience, and demonstrated ability a person needs to perform an OSH role safely and correctly. It is verified through records, assessment, and observation rather than attendance alone.

Planned instruction that gives workers the knowledge and skills needed to recognize hazards and follow controls. It must be relevant to the task, documented, and repeated or refreshed as required.

Induction training given to new workers, contractors, and visitors before they start work, covering site hazards, rules, emergency procedures, and PPE. Attendance is recorded and understanding checked.

A measure used to track OSH results, such as injury frequency or severity rates, inspection closure rates, or training completion. Both lagging and leading indicators are needed for a balanced view.

A proactive measure of preventive activity, such as number of inspections completed, hazards closed, or drills held. It signals future safety performance before incidents occur.

A measure of outcomes that have already occurred, such as injury counts, lost workdays, or incident rates. It confirms results but cannot predict them, so it is paired with leading indicators.

A required yearly submission to DOLE summarizing workplace OSH activities, including committee meetings, safety officer details, training, incidents, and health monitoring. It must be accurate and filed on time.

A periodic top-management evaluation of OSH performance, audit results, and legal compliance to decide on improvements and resources. It closes the management-system cycle and must be documented.

The set of interrelated policies, plans, procedures, and reviews an organization uses to manage safety and health systematically. It follows a continual-improvement cycle of planning, implementation, checking, and review.

The employer's legal obligation to provide a safe and healthful workplace, safe equipment, adequate training, and health protection for workers. It cannot be transferred to workers through waivers or consent.

A worker's protection against discipline for refusing a task that poses an imminent danger to life or health, after reporting the concern. Retaliation for exercising OSH rights is prohibited.

The DOLE-issued rules that set minimum requirements for workplaces, including safety committees, safety officers, health services, PPE, and recordkeeping. They translate the general statutory duty into enforceable specifics.