Module 101 - Basic Safety

These vocab words are for the Basic Safety module of the Maine Construction Academy textbook. Studying these words will help you on the NCCER Core test.

Accident

According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an unplanned event that results in personal injury and/or property damage

Arc Welding

the joining of metal parts by fusion, in which the necessary heat is produced by means of an electric arc

Brazing

A process using heat in excess of 800°F to melt a filler metal that is drawn into a connection. Brazing is commonly used to join copper pipe.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

lung disease(s) that results in the obstruction of lung airflow and interferes with normal breathing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema generally fall under the diagnosis of COPD

Clean Rooms

a room or area that is used for scientific research or specialized processes, such as the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. The cleanliness level of a clean room is generally based on the number of particles measured per cubic meter of area.

Confined Spaces

work areas large enough for a person to work but arranged in such a way that an employee must physically enter the space to perform work. Confined spaces have a limited or restricted means of entry and exit. They are not designed for continuous work. Tanks, vessels, silos, pits, vaults, and hoppers are examples of confined spaces

Combustible

capable of easily igniting and rapidly burning; used to describe a fuel with a flash point at or above 100°F

Competent Person

a person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Cross Bracing

Braces (metal or wood) placed diagonally from the bottom of one rail to the top of another rail to add support to a structure

Excavation

any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface, formed by removing earth. It can be made for anything from basements to highways

Flammable

Capable of easily igniting and rapidly burning; used to describe a fuel with a flash point below 100°F

Flash Burn

The damage that can be done to eyes after even brief exposure to ultraviolet light from arc welding. A flash burn requires medical attention.

Ground (electrical definition)

The conducting connection between electrical equipment or an electrical circuit and the earth

Ground Fault

an unintentional, electrically conducting connection between an underground conductor of an electrical circuit and the normally noncurrent-carrying conductors, metal objects, or the earth. Also incidental grounding of a conducting electrical wire

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

a device that interrupts and de-energizes an electrical circuit to protect a person from electrocution

Guarded

enclosed, fenced, covered or otherwise protected by barriers, rails, covers, or platforms to prevent dangerous contact

Hand Line

a line attached to a tool or object so a worker can pull it up after climbing a ladder or scaffold

Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM)

the OSHA standard that requires contractors to educate employees about hazardous chemicals on the job site and how to work with them safely

High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) Filters

special filters designed to capture very small particles. HEPA filters have a minimum efficiency of 99.97%, capturing particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in size

Hydraulic

powered by fluid under pressure

Incident

according to OSHA, an unplanned event that does NOT result in personal injury but may result in property damage or is worthy of recording

Lanyard

a cord, rope, or similar material used to limit the travel of two connected objects. Also, a short section of rope or strap, one end of which is attached to a worker’s safety harness and the other to a strong anchor point above the work area

Lockout/Tagout

a formal procedure for taking equipment out of service and ensuring that it cannot be operated until a qualified person has removed the lock and/or warning tag

Management System

The organization of a company’s management, including reporting procedures, supervisory responsibility, and administration

Maximum Intended Load

The total weight of all people, equipment, tools, materials, and loads that a ladder can hold at one time

Midrail

mid-level, horizontal board required on all ope sides of scaffolds and platforms that are more than 14 inches, from the face of the structure and more than 10 feet above the ground. It is placed halfway between the toeboard and the top rail

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

an agency of the US Department of Labor. also refers to the OSHA act of 1970, a law that applies to more than 130 million workers and 7 million job sites in the US

Permit-required confined space

a confined space that has been evaluated and found to have actual or potential hazards, such as a toxic atmosphere or other serious safety or health hazard. Workers need written authorization to enter a permit-required confined space

Planked

having pieces of material 2 inches thick or greater and 6 inches wide or greater used as flooring, decking, or scaffold decks

Pneumatic

Powered by air pressure, such as a pneumatic tool

Proximity Work

work done near a hazard but not actually in contact with it

Qualified Person

a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has demonstrated the ability to solve or prevent problems relating to a certain subject, work, or project

Respirator

a device that provides clean, filtered air for breathing, no matter what is in the surrounding air

Safety Culture

the culture created when the whole company sees the value of a safe work environment

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

a document that must accompany any hazardous substance. The SDS identifies the substance and gives the exposure limits, the physical and chemical characteristics, the kind of hazard it presents, precautions for safe handling and use, and specific control measures

Scaffold

an elevated platform for workers and materials

Shielding

a structure used to protect workers in trenches

Shoring

a support system designed to prevent a trench or excavation cave-in

Signaler

A person who is responsible for directing a vehicle when the driver’s vision is blocked in any way

Silicosis

a serious lung disease resulting from the inhalation of crystalline silica particles

Six-foot rule

a rule stating that platforms or work surfaces with unprotected sides or edges that are 6 feet or higher than the ground or level below it require fall protection

Spoil

material such as earth removed while digging a trench or excavation

Toeboard

a vertical barrier at floor level attached along exposed edges of a platform, runway, or ramp to prevent materials and people from falling

Top Rail

a top-level, horizontal board required on all open sides of scaffolds and platforms that are more than 14 inches from the face of the structure and more than 10 feet above the ground

Trench

a narrow excavation made below the surface of the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide, with a maximum width of 15 feet

Welding Curtain

a protective screen set up around a welding operation designed to safeguard workers not directly involved in that operation

Wind Sock

a cloth cone open at both ends mounted in a high place to show which direction the wind is blowing