Crane safety is crucial to any construction project or industrial operation involving cranes. Cranes are powerful machines that are used to lift and move heavy materials and equipment. However, their immense size and weight, coupled with the loads they carry, also make them potentially hazardous.
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!
Construction sites can be dangerous places filled with risks. A messy and disorganized job site poses an even greater risk. Good housekeeping may not seem like it directly relates to the safety of your construction project, manufacturing site, or office space. However, it plays a vital role in a safety program. OSHA recognizes good housekeeping as an essential element of safety and has at least four standards that relate to good housekeeping to prevent things such as tripping over loose objects on the floor, being hit by falling objects, or slipping on wet or dirty surfaces. Of the four standards, three are for general industry, and one is specific to construction sites. OSHA standard 1910.141 for general industry states that all places of employment shall be kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows, and OSHA standard 1910.22 walking-working surface standard says that all workplaces should be kept clean and orderly in a sanitary condition. OSHA standard 1910.106 relates to hazardous materials and flammable/combustible liquids, while OSHA standard 1926.25 discusses general housekeeping regulations for construction. Ensuring appropriate housekeeping can help control or eliminate workplace hazards, resulting in a safer work environment.
MSHA is the acronym for the Mine Safety and Health Administration and is the federal government agency responsible for protecting the health and safety of all U.S. miners. MSHA develops and enforces safety and health rules for all U.S. mines regardless of their size or number of employees. Since its creation, MSHA has had a significant impact on improving the safety of mines. In 1978, 242 miners died in mining accidents. In 2020, that number fell to 29. In 2022, the current number of miners who have died is 27. Contrast that with the fateful day of December 6, 1907, when more than 350 miners were killed when two massive explosions occurred at a mine site in Monongah, West Virginia. Due to that disaster, December 6 is now designated as National Miners Day. National Miners Day is not only a day to commemorate the anniversary of the worst mining accident in American history but to recognize the hard work of miners across this country and to thank them for their essential contributions to our society.
OSHA has updated its list of the most frequently cited standards for all industries for its fiscal year 2022, which runs from October 1-September 30. Not surprisingly, these are the same standards cited from 2021, only the order of some of the standards has changed. Hazard communication moved up to the number two spot while respiratory protection dropped to the number three spot. Other standards have shifted places within the list, but fall protection remains in the number one position from the previous year.
Noise has been an occupational hazard for hundreds of years dating back to ancient and medieval times. In those days, city dwellers dealt with noise from carriages on cobblestone streets while craftsmen such as blacksmiths and tinsmiths were exposed to loud sounds while performing their trades.
In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law and in April 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the first standards for workplace safety. Similarly, the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration was established in 1973, which lead to the creation of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in 1978. Since then, safety training has been a fundamental part of every safety and health program. OSHA’ s Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and Agricultural standards require that employers provide their employees with a safe workplace and that safety training is provided in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand. MSHA develops and enforces safety and health rules for all mines in the United States and sets regulations for the required safety training and safety plans related to the mining industry.
Safe + Sound Week will be held August 15-21, 2022 and all are welcome to participate. This nationwide event offers information and ideas focused on keeping America’s workers safe. It is an excellent opportunity to recognize your organization’s commitment to safety and health, build upon your current safety program or start the process of developing your own safety and health program.
Hiring a third-party Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professional for your next construction project provides significant advantages to your organization. Our site safety construction managers offer the credentials and experience you need and focus on keeping your employees safe.
Summer is upon us and with it comes an increased risk of heat related injuries to workers who must work outdoors. Many of the injuries and fatalities that occur due to heat, happen in the first few days of working in the warm or hot temperatures. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can result from the rising temperatures if precautions are not taken. Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace free of health and safety hazards, including heat related hazards. OSHA has launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on outdoor and indoor heat hazards which will remain in effect for three years unless cancelled or extended.