Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and components of Occupational Health and Safety, employer and employee duties, SMS elements, and strategies for building a safe workplace.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

Field focused on protecting the safety, health, and welfare of people at work and those affected by workplace conditions.

World Health Organization (WHO) definition of Occupational Health

Deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace with strong emphasis on primary prevention of hazards.

Health (WHO)

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Primary Prevention

Strategy that eliminates or controls hazards before they cause harm to workers.

Common-law Duty of Care

Employer’s legal obligation to take reasonable care for the safety of employees.

Statute Law

Legislation that imposes additional duties and creates regulatory bodies to oversee workplace safety.

Importance of Safety – Three Objectives

(i) Maintain workers’ health and capacity; (ii) improve work environment; (iii) develop work culture supporting health, safety, and productivity.

Working Culture

Reflection of an organization’s values shown through management systems, policies, participation, training, and quality management.

People, Cost, and Safety

Concept that serious injuries affect families, productivity, and finances, making safety essential for human and business reasons.

Workers’ Compensation

Insurance system covering medical costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job.

Employee Attrition

Loss of workers through resignation or retirement, often reduced by safe workplaces.

Quality–Safety Link

Observation that companies prioritizing safety often produce higher-quality products.

Right to Refuse Dangerous Work

Legal right allowing workers to decline tasks posing immediate serious harm until hazards are corrected.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

U.S. federal agency that sets and enforces standards to assure safe and healthful working conditions.

10 Steps to a Safe and Healthy Workplace

Guideline covering awareness, responsibilities, organization, legal compliance, hazard control, culture, celebration, research, questioning, and seeking help.

Safety Meeting / Toolbox Talk

Short, informal discussion that engages workers on a specific safety topic to share experiences and solutions.

Safety and Health Management System

Coordinated plan detailing how an organization prevents workplace injuries and illnesses.

Safety Culture

Shared values, attitudes, and behaviors that prioritize safety throughout an organization.

Safety Professionals

Experts who assist employers in understanding and complying with safety regulations.

Safety Management System (SMS)

Structured framework composed of Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion to achieve acceptable safety risk levels.

Safety Policy (SMS Component)

Senior management’s documented commitment, objectives, and structure for achieving safety goals.

Safety Risk Management (SRM)

Formal process of describing the system, identifying hazards, assessing/analyzing risk, and implementing risk controls.

Safety Assurance (SA)

Processes that evaluate the effectiveness of risk controls and ensure outputs meet safety requirements.

Safety Promotion

Training, communication, and actions that foster a positive safety culture at all workforce levels.

Hazard Identification

Process of finding potential sources of harm in the workplace through records review, inspections, and employee input.

Risk Control

Measures taken to eliminate or reduce the likelihood or severity of workplace hazards.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Technique that examines job tasks to identify hazards and determine safe procedures.

OSHA 300 Log

Record of work-related injuries and illnesses that certain employers must maintain and post.

Employee Safety Committee

Group of workers and management representatives who coordinate and monitor workplace safety activities.

Employer Responsibilities (OSH)

Provide hazard-free workplace, comply with standards, maintain records, supply PPE, train employees, and avoid discrimination.

Employee Responsibilities (OSH)

Follow safety rules, use protective equipment, report hazards, and participate in training and inspections.

Safety Poster

OSHA-required notice informing workers of their rights and employer obligations, posted in visible areas.

Abatement

Action of correcting safety violations by the deadline specified in an OSHA citation.

Best Practice

Proven method or technique that delivers superior results and is used as a benchmark for safety improvements.

Continuous Improvement

Ongoing effort to evaluate and enhance safety systems, training, and hazard controls.

Incident Investigation

Systematic examination of accidents, injuries, illnesses, or close calls to determine causes and prevent recurrence.

Change Analysis

Review of new or modified processes, materials, or equipment to identify and control new hazards.

Mutual Respect

Workplace climate where employees and management value each other’s safety contributions and concerns.

Recognition Program

Incentive system that acknowledges employees who actively support and improve workplace safety.