OSHA definitions, safety terms, and workplace compliance language can be confusing—especially for employers, safety managers, and workers who are new to OSHA regulations. From CFR references to hazard classifications, OSHA terminology often includes technical language that isn’t always easy to understand.
To make compliance easier, we’ve created this comprehensive OSHA glossary, featuring 100+ commonly used workplace safety and OSHA terms, each with a clear, plain-English definition. Whether you work in construction, general industry, healthcare, manufacturing, or environmental safety, this guide is designed to help you quickly find and understand key OSHA terminology.
Bookmark this page as a go-to reference, and feel free to share it with coworkers, supervisors, or anyone responsible for workplace safety and compliance.
What This OSHA Glossary Covers
This glossary includes frequently referenced terms related to:
- OSHA standards and CFR regulations
- Construction and general industry safety
- Hazard communication and chemical safety
- Confined spaces and permit systems
- HAZWOPER and hazardous waste operations
- Electrical, fall, fire, and equipment safety
- Mining and MSHA requirements
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Emergency response and industrial hygiene
Each term is listed alphabetically for easy navigation and includes a concise explanation to support training, inspections, audits, and compliance efforts.
Why Understanding OSHA Terminology Matters
Misunderstanding OSHA language can lead to:
- Training gaps
- Improper hazard controls
- Failed inspections
- Costly OSHA citations and penalties
By clearly understanding OSHA definitions and safety terms, employers and workers can:
- Improve compliance
- Reduce workplace injuries
- Communicate more effectively during inspections
- Strengthen overall safety culture
OSHA Definitions & Workplace Safety Terms (A–Z)
This OSHA glossary includes 100+ commonly used OSHA and workplace safety terms, rewritten in plain English to help employers, safety professionals, and workers better understand compliance requirements.
A
1926 Subpart C
OSHA construction standard covering the basic elements of a safety and health program, including first aid, fire protection, sanitation, housekeeping, illumination, and personal protective equipment.
29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)
An OSHA regulation requiring workers with limited exposure to hazardous substances to complete 24 hours of off-site HAZWOPER training plus one day of supervised on-site instruction.
Accident Prevention Plan (APP)
A written safety document outlining workplace hazards and the procedures used to prevent accidents, commonly required on government and military projects.
Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA)
A job-specific hazard analysis that identifies risks associated with tasks, tools, equipment, and the work environment before work begins.
Administrative Line of Authority
The chain of command responsible for enforcing safety policies and operational control, commonly referenced in mining and industrial operations.
Air Monitoring
The measurement of airborne contaminants such as dusts, vapors, gases, or fumes to evaluate worker exposure levels.
Alternate Entry
A confined space entry method allowed when only atmospheric hazards exist and can be controlled through ventilation.
Asbestos Exposure
Contact with airborne asbestos fibers, often found in older buildings, which can cause serious lung diseases and cancer.
Asphyxiation
A condition caused by insufficient oxygen, often occurring in confined spaces due to oxygen displacement or toxic atmospheres.
Atmospheric Monitoring
Testing air quality to verify safe oxygen levels and the absence of toxic or flammable gases before confined space entry.
B
Bloodborne Pathogens
Disease-causing microorganisms present in human blood, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
C
Chemical Exposure
Worker contact with hazardous chemicals through inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, or injection.
Chemical Hazards
Risks posed by chemicals due to toxicity, flammability, reactivity, or corrosiveness.
Concrete & Masonry
Construction activities involving concrete and masonry materials, which present hazards such as silica exposure, heavy lifting, and formwork failures.
Confined Space
An enclosed or partially enclosed space not designed for continuous occupancy, with limited entry or exit and potential hazards.
Confined Space Permit System
A formal authorization process required for entering permit-required confined spaces with serious hazards.
Conveyors
Mechanical systems used to move materials that pose pinch, entanglement, and struck-by hazards.
Corrosives
Chemicals that can destroy or damage living tissue or materials on contact, such as strong acids and bases.
Cranes
Machines designed to lift, lower, and move heavy loads using hoists, chains, or wire ropes.
D
Decontamination
The process of removing hazardous substances from personnel, equipment, or the environment.
Derricks
Fixed lifting devices similar to cranes, commonly used in construction and utility operations.
E
Electrical Hazards
Risks associated with energized equipment, including shock, burns, arc flash, and electrocution.
Electrocution
Death or serious injury caused by electric shock.
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
A written plan outlining procedures for fires, evacuations, medical emergencies, and other workplace emergencies.
Ergonomics
The science of designing work tasks and environments to reduce strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Excavation
The removal of earth to form trenches, pits, or foundations, which presents cave-in and collapse hazards.
F
Fall Protection
Systems and equipment designed to prevent or arrest falls from heights, including guardrails, harnesses, and safety nets.
Fire Prevention Plan
A documented strategy identifying fire hazards, ignition controls, and emergency response procedures.
Fire Protection
Equipment and systems such as alarms, extinguishers, and sprinklers used to detect and suppress fires.
Flammable Liquids
Liquids that ignite easily at low temperatures due to low flashpoints.
G
GHS (Globally Harmonized System)
An international system for classifying and labeling chemical hazards using standardized pictograms and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
H
Hand and Power Tools
Manual or powered devices that require guards, PPE, and safe operating procedures to prevent injury.
Hazard Determination
The process of evaluating chemicals to determine physical and health hazards under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.
HAZWOPER
OSHA standard governing hazardous waste operations and emergency response, requiring specialized training.
Hoists
Mechanical devices used to lift or lower loads vertically.
I
Industrial Hygiene
The science of identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards that may cause illness or injury.
L
Lead Exposure
Inhalation or ingestion of lead dust or fumes, which can cause serious health effects including neurological damage.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
A safety procedure that prevents machinery from being energized during servicing or maintenance.
M
Machine Guarding
Physical barriers or devices that protect workers from moving machinery parts.
Medical Surveillance Program
Ongoing medical monitoring for employees exposed to hazardous substances.
MSHA
The Mine Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency regulating mine safety and health.
O
OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a U.S. federal agency responsible for workplace safety enforcement.
OSHA Act
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which established OSHA and employer safety responsibilities.
Outreach Training Programs
OSHA-authorized voluntary training programs such as OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour courses.
P
Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
Maximum allowable worker exposure levels to hazardous substances.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protective clothing and equipment such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and respirators.
R
Respiratory Protection
The use of respirators to protect workers from inhaling hazardous airborne contaminants.
Rigging Equipment
Slings, chains, and hardware used to safely lift loads.
S
Safety and Health Program
A structured system for managing workplace safety, including hazard identification and employee training.
Scaffolding
Temporary elevated platforms used in construction that require proper design and inspection.
Silica Exposure
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust, which can cause silicosis and lung cancer.
T
Toxicology
The study of how chemicals affect human health.
V
Ventilation
The movement of fresh air into a workspace to remove contaminants and control hazardous atmospheres.
W
Welding & Cutting
Hot work processes that involve fire, fumes, and burn hazards.
Final Note
This OSHA glossary is intended as a quick-reference resource to support workplace safety, training, and compliance efforts. Always consult official OSHA standards for legal requirements.