Guide To 120 Environmental, Health, and Safety Abbreviations

Guide To 120 Environmental, Health, and Safety Abbreviations

Abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms are used daily by safety professionals. Often, it’s assumed that everyone knows what they are talking about or that they are trying to save time by using a shorthand version of the phrase. Abbreviations can simplify communication if you understand them. However, it’s easy to miss key points and get confused when safety jargon leaves you asking, “What does that mean?”. We have compiled this resource of 120 Environmental Health and Safety Abbreviations to help decode the specialized language safety professionals use daily. Being familiar with this safety terminology can help you create a safe workplace. Misunderstanding key terms can put you or your employees at risk. Errors can be made if these abbreviations are mixed up or misinterpreted. Keep in mind that this list is for general purposes only. Please consult the applicable standards or contact us for more information if you have specific questions. We are always available to answer your workplace safety questions and provide guidance on best safety practices. Please reach out to us at 919-417-2139 or We’d love to hear from you!

Guide to 120 Environmental Health and Safety Abbreviations

AAD	Assistant Area Director (OSHA)
ABC	Associated Builders and Contractors
ACCSH	Advisory Committee on Contruction Safety & Health
ACM	Asbestos Containing Material
AD	Area Director (OSHA)
AED	Automated External Defibrilator
AGC	Associated General Contractors
AIHA	American Industrial Hygiene Association
AISC	American Insitute of Steel Construction
ALCM	Associate in Loss Control Management
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARM	Associate in Risk Management

ASP	Associate Safety Professional
ASSP	American Society of Safety Professionals
ASTM	American Society for Testing Materials
ATBS	American Traffic Barricade & Safety
AWS	American Welding Society
BBP	Blood Borne Pathogen
BBS	Behavior-Based Safety
BCSP	Board of Certified Safety Professionals
BLS	Bureau of Labor Statistics
CCO	Certified Crane Operator
CDC	Centers for Disease Control
Cfm	Cubic feet per minute
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CHSO	Certifed Safety and Health Official
CHST	Construction Health and Safety Technician
CIH	Certified Industrial Hygienist
CO	Carbon Monoxide
CO2	Carbon Dioxide
CSHO	Compliance Safety and Health Officer (OSHA)
CSP	Certified Safety Professional
dB	Decibels
DEQ	Department of Environmental Quality
DOE	Department of Energy
DOL	Department of Labor
DOT	Department of Transportation
EHS	Environmental Health and Safety
EMR	Experience Modification Rating
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency

ERP	Emergency Rescue Plan
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOM	Field Operations Manual (OSHA)
FTA	Failure to Abate
FR	Flame Resistant
GFCI	Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
GHS	Globally Harmonized System
Gpm	Gallons per minute
HAZWOPER	Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response
Hex Chrome	Hexavalent Chromium
HMRA	Holmes Mine Rescue Association
Hp	Horsepower
HSE	Health, Safety, and Environment
HVAC	Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning System
H2S	Hydrogen Sulfide
IAQ	Indoor Air Quality
IDLH	Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
IH	Industrial Hygenist
ISEA	Industrial Safety Equipment Association
ISO	International Organization for Standardization
ITA	Injury Tracking Application (OSHA)
JHA	Job Hazard Analysis
JSA	Job Safety Analysis
LEL	Lower Explosive Limit
LEP	Local Emphasis Program (OSHA)
LOTO	Lockout/Tagout
LTI	Lost Time Injury
LWR	Lost Workday Rate

MRC	Maximum Rated Capacity
MSHA	Mine Safety and Health Administration
NAICS	North American Industry Classification System
NCCCO	National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
NCCER	National Center for Construction Education and Research
NEC	National Electric Code
NEP	National Emphasis Program (OSHA)
NFPA	National Fire Protection Association
NIOSH	National Institute for Occupaitonal Safety And Health
NRC	Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NRR	Noise Reduction Rating
NSC	National Safety Council
NTP	National Toxicology Program
NTSB	National Transportation Safety Board
NWL	Normal Working Load
OHS	Occupational Health and Safety
OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHRC	Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
OTM	OSHA Technical Manual
OTS	Other than Serious (OSHA)
PCSA	Power Crane & Shovel Association
PEL	Permissible Exposure Limit
PFAS	Personal Fall Arrest System
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment
PPM	Parts Per Million
PRCS	Permit-Required Confined Space

PSM	Process Safety Management
QC	Quality Control
RCA	Root Cause Analysis
REL	Recommended Exposure Limit
RO	Regional Office (OSHA)
RTK	Right to Know
SDI	Standard Directive Interpretation (OSHA)
SDS	Safety Data Sheet
SHE	Safety, Health and Environment
SO2	Sulfur Dioxide
SSP	Site Safety Plan
SST	Site-Specific Targeting (OSHA)
STA	Safety Task Assignment
STEL	Short Term Exposure Limit
SVEP	Severe Violator Enforcement Program
TLV	Threshold Limit Value
TRIR	Total Recordable Incident Rate
TSCA	Toxic Substance Control Act
TWA	Time Weighted Average
UFC	Uniform Fire Code
USACE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
UST	Underground Storage Tank
VOC	Volatile Organic Compound
VPP	Voluntary Protection Program
WBGT	Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
WLL	Working Load Limit