Glossary
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Abandonment Costs for Fracking Companies
When it comes time to end operations at a well site or production facility, abandonment costs for fracking companies are…
Abatement – OSHA Term
Abatement is the correction of the safety or health hazard/violation that led to an OSHA citation. – Source OSHA If…
Access Roads
Road crew building an access road. Access roads to well sites connect a site to the main road. Access roads…
Accident Analyses
ACCIDENT ANALYSES. For the purposes of properly implementing DOE O 5480.21, the term accident analyses refer to those bounding analyses…
Accountability
ACCOUNTABILITY. The state of being liable for explanation to a superior DOE official for the exercise of authority. Ultimate accountability…
Active and Inactive Faults
According to Definitions Active and Inactive faults are defined as: Active fault – An active fault is a fault that…
Additions And Modifications
ADDITIONS AND MODIFICATIONS: Changes to a structure, system, and component (SSC) for reasons other than increasing resistance to natural phenomena…
Administrative Controls
Administrative controls refer to the management-driven measures used to ensure the safe and compliant operation of industrial facilities. These measures…
Adsorption
Adsorption occurs when atoms or molecules adhere to the surface of a different material rather than dissolving into it. This…
AHJ Authority Having Jurisdiction
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) refers to an organization or entity that has official responsibility and control over safety, codes,…
Aircraft Refueler
An aircraft refueler is an intermediary truck. Fuelers service aircraft on the tarmac by pumping fuel in the aviation industry….
Airdrop
An airdrop is an access point in a compressed air system that allows workers to connect and use compressed air…
Air Eliminators
Air eliminators are installed components. They are placed in fuel and liquid transfer systems like in the renewable diesel loading…
Air Header
The air header is the main trunk line in a compressed air system that carries compressed air from the compressor…
Air Scrubber
Air scrubbers are devices that remove contaminants from the air. They work by drawing air through a series of filters…
Air Soap Testing
Air Soap Testing is conducted on storage tanks and their pipelines before the container is set permanently or to maintain…
Air Sparging
Air sparging is a method for eliminating contaminants from soil and underground water sources. Fuel spills and storage tank…
Air Stripper
An air stripper is a treatment system used to clean contaminated water, most commonly water collected in deck sumps or…
Air to Liquid Ratio Testing
Air to liquid ratio testing measures the effectiveness of vapor recovery systems. Air to liquid ratio testing measures the volume…
Algae Fuels
Finished fuel products derived from processed algal biomass, representing an emerging renewable energy alternative to traditional fossil fuels Algae fuels…
Algae Oilfield Equipment
The harvesting of algae and algae byproducts for fuel development is a new industry. This new industry is creating a…
Alternative Fuels
Any fuel source that does not come from petroleum, propane, or natural gas is considered an alternative energy option. These…
Aluminum
Aluminum is an element (categorized as a 'metal') on the periodic table with a symbol of Al and atomic number 13….
Ambient Temperature
What Is Ambient Temperature? Ambient temperature refers to the temperature of the surrounding environment in a specific area. It is…
Analog Device
An analog device or analog technology is comprised of a machine and a media readout that transmits continuous interpretable data…
Annunciator
An annunciator is a system communication panel designed to provide instructions, alerts, or system status information either audibly (sound/voice) or…
Anode (Industrial Grounding & Corrosion Protection)
What Is an Anode? An anode is a conductive component used in industrial systems to manage electrical energy and prevent…
Anticipated Operational Occurrence or Event
ANTICIPATED OPERATIONAL OCCURRENCE OR EVENT. An abnormal event that is expected to occur during the lifetime of the facility (e.g.,…
Anti Siphon Valve
Antisiphon valves also called shutoff valves are flow control mechanisms put on storage tanks, and storage tank pipelines to stop…
Appointing Official
APPOINTING OFFICIAL. A designated authority responsible for assigning Accident Investigation Board Type A and Type B investigations, with administrative control…
Aquifer
An underground topographical area that contains a source of potable water that supplies springs and wells. Aquifers are to be…
Archimedes Principle
Accepting the potential power of natural groundwater to move or float heavy metal objects requires extensive planning and engineering. …
Aromatics
Aromatics are Hydrocarbon Chemicals that are blended into gasoline at the refinery point. The use of aromatics is for creating…
Asphaltic Coating
Asphaltic Coatings are products derived and refined from mined asphalt. These coatings were used as tank corrosion protection. A layer…
Asphalt Batching Plant
Asphalt is a mined hydrocarbon that is refined and heated to high temperatures to liquefy it. The Asphalt Batching Plant…
Aspirator
GaAn aspirator is a key part of gasoline vapor recovery systems used during fuel dispensing. Its main purpose is to…
Atmospheric Tank
An Atmospheric Tank holds liquid product at a pressure equal to the ambient atmospheric pressure at its location. Specifically, the…
Attended Facility
An attended facility is a fuel depot or gas station that has employees who help to monitor fuel transfer from…
Autogas
One of the clean energy initiatives being implemented worldwide is the use of autogas. Municipalities are installing above-ground storage tanks…
Automatic Fuel Nozzle
An automatic fuel nozzle is used to fuel vehicles at gas stations and fuel depots. The fuel loading diesel nozzle…
Automatic Tank Gauge
An automatic tank gauge (ATG) is an electronic device used to measure fuel inventory and calculate volume inside an underground…
Automotive Lift
Automotive lifts are hoisting platforms. That allows service access from the underside of a vehicle. If your company maintains a…
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Backfill
Oil tank backfill is the material that is used to fill in the excavated space around installed fuel tanks and…
Backflow
Backflow spill containment – During well testing, backflow happens when fluid flows from one zone to another due to the…
Backpressure
Backpressure is the resistance that a fluid faces while moving through pipes, valves, fittings, and equipment in a fluid distribution…
Backpressure Test
A backpressure test is a procedure for the installation and testing of a Vapor Recovery Systems at vehicle fueling depots….
Baffles
Used in tanker trucks and tanker ships, baffles are angled dividers with holes that slow down the front-to-back sloshing and…
Balance Stage Recovery Nozzle
The balance stage recovery nozzle is a specialized fuel dispensing nozzle that creates a vapor-tight connection with the vehicle’s loading…
Balance System
A balance system is a method of vapor recovery used in tanker fueling stations. Fuel vapors must be recovered and…
Ballast
oil tank backfill ballast Ballast in the fuel storage industry has to do with the weight of the backfill used…
Ball Float Valve
A ball float valve is a safety device used at fuel depots to control and stop the flow of liquid…
Ball Valve
The ball valve is a common valve in many piping systems used to interrupt, start, or redirect the flow of…
Barrel
A barrel is a term for a standard unit of measurement for the sale of crude products. The fill volume…
Baseline
BASELINE. Quantitative expression of projected startup costs, schedule, and technical requirements; the established plan against which the status of resources…
Basic Steel Products – OSHA Term
The basic steel products industry is involved in manufacturing hot metal, pig iron, and silvery pig iron from iron ore…
Bathtub Effect
Underground storage tanks set in less porous, less absorbent, soils are susceptible to rising groundwater. Those groundwaters may not recede…
Bedding
A layer of Environmental Protection Agency mandated backfill that is placed in the excavated area where an underground storage tank…
Bell and Spigot Joint
The reinforced plastic pipe is joined using a bell and spigot joint. One end of the joint is tapered and…
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless toxic chemical that is a byproduct of coal tar and is also found in crude oil….
BiFueled Vehicle
BI-FUELED VEHICLES A bi-fueled vehicle is configured to run off of two different fuels. In most cases, those fuels are…
Biobutanol
Biobutanol is a very promising alcohol-based fuel that has higher energy density and less volatility than ethanol. Alcohol fuel is…
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is produced from various feedstocks including soybeans, oilseed, algae, and animal fats. It can be blended with diesel fuel…
Biomass
Biomass is any organic material that can be converted into fuel. Types of Biomass currently include algae, corn, switchgrass, soybeans,…
Bioremediation
Bioremediation is introducing hydrocarbon-eating microbes into contaminated groundwater and soil to reduce the contamination. The use of microbes to reduce…
Bladder Tank
Bladder tanks are flexible storage tanks that are placed inside of rigid transport or storage tanks. Bladders are used as…
Blender Pump
A blender pump used in fuel distribution blends the contents from two or more different storage tanks to derive a…
BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
A boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion happens when a pressurized liquid inside a container is heated beyond its boiling point…
Blockage Test
A Blockage Test or nitrogen testing is used in Vapor Recovery Systems to detect liquid in lower areas of piping…
Block Valve
A Block Valve is another name for a shutoff valve. A block valve stops the flow or changes the direction…
Blowout
A blowout occurs when a formation of fluids, like water, gas, oil, or a mixture of the three, flows in…
Bobtail Truck
What Is a Bobtail Truck? A bobtail truck is a smaller type of tanker truck used to deliver fuel directly…
Body Belt
Body belt: A strap with means both for securing it about the waist and for attaching it to a lanyard,…
Body Harness
Body harness or Body Belt. Straps which may be secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the…
Bollard
In gasoline stations and fuel depot areas, vertical barriers are installed to prevent accidental vehicle contact with sensitive or flammable…
Boom
In the petroleum industry, oil booms are a linked series of floating objects that are positioned around an oil discharge…
Boot Nozzle
The Fuel Bellows or the Nozzle Boot is an accordion-like device that enables an airtight connection between the distribution nozzle…
Bottom Loading
The trucks used for transferring stored fuel from a storage tank to a vehicle used to be done from an…
Branded Gasoline
Branded gasoline has the company name of the refinery that produced it. Gas stations that are branded like Shell, Mobil,…
Breakaway Connector
A valve that is placed in between the fuel pump nozzle and the dispenser at gas stations. If a self-service…
Breather Vent
Fuel storage tanks that contain gasoline and other products need to be vented. A breather vent allows that to happen….
BTL – Biomass to Liquid
One of the most common Biomass to liquid BTL pathways involves soybeans, which are converted into fuel through a chemical…
BTU – British Thermal Unit
BTU Defined A BTU or British Thermal Unit is the amount of heat applied to raise the temperature of 1 pound…
Building Code
Building codes ensure that the construction of new buildings stays within municipal guidelines. Compliance with building codes ensure safety, material…
Building Officials And Code Administrators – BOCA
BOCA is an association of individuals who work in municipalities, and state, and federal levels. As a group, they…
Bulkhead Fitting
A bulkhead fitting is a threaded connector installed through the wall of a fuel container or storage tank. Its primary…
Bulk Plant
A Bulk Plant is a Distribution and Storage Center for gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel. These are also called oil…
Bung
What Is a Bung? A bung is a closure device used to seal the opening of a drum, barrel, or…
Bunghole
A Bunghole is the threaded opening on a barrel or tank, where a stopper or valve is placed. There are…
Bung Adapter
A bung adapter is a specialized stopper for an opening of the barrel or tank. It allows the tank to…
Bunker Fuels
Bunker Fuels are used for powering Military Class Ships. Bunker 5 is used by navies. The viscosity of Bunker 5…
B100
B100 is another name for Biodiesel Fuel. B100 is another high-level biodiesel blend used as an alternative fuel. It is…
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Cask
Transportation Cask (or Flask) A transportation cask—sometimes called a flask, especially in Europe – is a specially engineered container designed…
Chair Screws
Chair screws, also known as coach screws, are large metal screws designed to fasten baseplates or rails directly to sleepers….
Check Valves
Fueling depots and gas stations use pump systems that rely on suction. Check Valves, Angle Valves, and Vertical Check Valves…
Chock
What Is a Chock? A chock is a simple wedge or block placed against a vehicle’s wheel to stop it…
Class I, Class II, Class III Liquids
A national fire coding classification of liquids, such as gasoline, heating oil, and diesel fuel, as being either flammable liquids…
Clean In Place (CIP)
Clean In Place (CIP) is an automated method for cleaning the interior surfaces of pipes, vessels, process equipment, filters, and…
Cleat
Cleat: A structural block used at the end of a platform to prevent the platform from slipping off its supports….
Closed Loading
Closed loading with vapor recovery keeps gases from exiting into the atmosphere and is also a safety precaution for the…
Competent Person
A Competent Person is an OSHA-designated individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the workplace and…
Compressed Air System
Many components of a fluid distribution center use a compressed air system for power. Airside is the whole system coming…
Compressor Station
This map shows over 3 million miles of installed natural gas pipelines in the united states. Compressor stations with worker…
Conestoga trailer
A Conestoga trailer is a specialized type of flatbed trailer that uses a hard sliding cover and integrated tarping system…
Confined Spaces – OSHA Term
Most job sites, plants, and work facilities have areas that OSHA would consider to be a Confined Space. A confined…
Connector
Connector: In fall protection, a device that is used to couple (connect) parts of the personal fall arrest system and…
Controlled Access Zone
Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) is a fall-protection concept defined by OSHA. It refers to a designated work area where specific…
Corrosive Zone
The Corrosive Zone is the name of the first string of casing in a hydrocarbon well. It may be lowered…
Cross Braces
Cross braces: In fall protection and scaffolding, two braces which cross each other in the form of an X. SOURCE:…
Cryogenic Plant
Cryogenic Gas Plant A Cryogenic Plant processes natural gas by condensing it to a liquid form using extremely low temperatures….
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Deadman Anchors
An anchoring system used to prevent underground storage tanks, usually monitored by a gauge, from floating out of the ground…
Deaeration
A procedure standard in industries like petroleum refining, pulp and paper, power generation, and bulk chemical handling, deaeration means separating the water from…
Deceleration Device
Deceleration device: In fall protection, any mechanism, such as a rope grab, rip-stitch lanyard, specially woven lanyard, tearing or deforming…
Deceleration Distance
Deceleration Distance: The additional vertical distance a falling employee travels, excluding lifeline elongation and free fall length, before stopping, from…
Deck Barge Safety – OSHA Term
It’s not surprising that OSHA has quite a bit to say about safety conditions on barges. The use of a…
DEF or Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a critical component in modern diesel engines equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. It…
Depth Of Cover
The depth of backfill and paving placed directly above an underground storage tank. Depth is measured from the top of…
De-Energize
De-energize: To free from any electric connection and/or electric charge. SOURCE: OSHA Disconnecting or turning off the power source. De-Energize…
Diaphragm Pump
A diaphragm pump is an air-operated device that uses a flexible membrane material to move liquids in the pump systems….
Dielectric
A Dielectric is any substance that acts as an insulator against electricity. It is often important to electrically isolate structures…
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Test
Diesel Fuel should be checked regularly for contaminants that regularly get into the fuel. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid Test It…
Diesel Nozzle
A diesel nozzle is a fueling device used to safely dispense diesel fuel into vehicles, equipment, or storage tanks. Diesel…
Digital Manometer
A manometer is a pressure measuring device that uses a transducer to convert pressure to a corresponding voltage. A digital…
Dike or Containment Berm
A fuel tank with a dike or berm built near it. A quick definition: a dike or containment berm is…
Direct Fill
Direct fill is a method of filling a tank. The delivery hose from the tanker vehicle is connected directly to…
Direct OP or Direct Operation
Direct OP is Actually, direct operation. Direct OP is a term that refers to a gas station that is owned…
Discrete
Detached from others or separate. In an electronic motor fuel dispenser, for example, each number that is displayed indicating price…
Dispenser or Fuel Pump
A dispenser is a device that dispenses liquid fuel such as gasoline or compressed natural gas while measuring the amount…
Dispenser Pans
Dispenser pans are containment pans that are positioned beneath a fuel dispenser at facility sites. Containment pans are designed to…
Dispenser Platforms
Dispenser platforms are installed between the dock surface and a fuel dispenser. The dispenser platforms raise the dispenser cabinet above…
Dispense Point
Dispense point is a general term for any location where fuel product is delivered from a fluid-distribution system. A dispense…
Dispensing Pump
Modern fuel dispensing pumps do not pump the fuel as they did in years gone by. The pump that sends…
Distillate
A distillate is the product collected after vapors cool and turn back into liquid during the distillation process. Distillation is…
Divestiture
Divestiture is a political term. It is the forced break up of major oil companies. Divestiture can take two forms:…
Divorcement
A divorcement is a political movement that wants to change, state and federal laws. The movement seeks to prohibit companies…
Dock
A dock is a general term used to describe a designated platform where marine vessels or trucks can temporarily position…
Double Bottomed Tank
A Double Bottomed Tank is a vertical aboveground tank. It has bottoms separated by an internal space, a safety feature…
Double Tap Bushing
A Double Tap bushing is a fitting widely used in petroleum operations. The bushing is flat, round fitting. It is…
Double Wall Piping
Double wall piping is a pipe within a pipe. If the inner pipe should happen to leak the outer pipe…
Double Wall Tank
A storage tank that is essentially a tank within a tank is a double wall tank. Double Wall Tanks provide…
Downstream In Oil And Gas Distribution
Downstream is everything that happens to a hydrocarbon product after it leaves the well. This includes the refining, processing, purifying,…
Downstream Operation
Downstream operation is a term used in the petroleum and energy industry to describe all processes that occur after crude…
Dressler Coupling
The Dressler coupling is a pipe fitting used to connect two sections of pipe without the use of threads, as…
Drip Leg
A drip leg is a pipe or tube designed to capture condensation inside a compressed air system. A built-in valve…
Driveway
A driveway is the paved portion of a gas station, where cars can roll into a gas or diesel pump…
Drive Off
A drive off is a fueling station term for a customer who drives away without paying for the product. A…
Drop
Drop is an oil trade term used to describe the delivery of motor fuel to an underground storage tank in…
Drop Tube
A drop tube is an aluminum tube, positioned inside the fill pipe of an underground storage tank. The purpose of…
Drum Cover
A drum cover is a steel disc with a rim. It is designed to sit on top of a standard…
Drybreak
Drybreak devices are designed with features that prevent the operator from disconnecting the assembly before he has closed the internal…
Dry bulk bags
You may know these as bulk bags or super sacks, jumbo bags, or totes. These can be fabricated from flat…
Duty Cycle
A duty cycle is the percentage of time that a piece of equipment is designed to operate. For example, the…
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Effluent
Effluent is a term used in engineering, environmental science, and industry to describe liquids or gases that flow out of…
Electrical Arc
ARC-FLASH HAZARD. A dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused by an electric arc. Source: The U.S. Department…
Electrical Hazard
ELECTRICAL HAZARD. A dangerous condition such that contact or equipment failure can result in electric shock, electrocution, arc flash burn,…
Electrical Isolation
In assuring workplace safety, workers near or operating high energy sources or systems should make all efforts to securely isolate…
E-Type Rail Clip
An E-type rail clip, also known as an elastic rail fastening or E-clip, is a spring-loaded fastening device that provides…
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Fabricated Frame Scaffold
Fabricated frame scaffold: A scaffold consisting of platforms supported on fabricated end frames with integral posts, horizontal bearers, and intermediate…
Fall Clearance
Fall clearance (or freefall distance) is the distance required to stop a falling worker from an elevation safely as a…
Fall Prevention Anchors
Fall prevention anchors, also known as anchorage systems, are critical safety components designed to protect workers operating on elevated work…
Fang Bolts
Fang bolts, also called rail anchor bolts, provide superior fastening performance compared to traditional rail spikes and chair screws. These…
Fast Clip
Fast clip fasteners represent the latest advancement in rail fastening technology, featuring a shoulder-free and bolt-free design. This innovative system…
Fire Suppression Risers
A fire suppression riser is a vertical pipe within a fire sprinkler system that connects the building’s main water supply…
Fishplate
A railroad fishplate, also known as a rail joint, is a metal bar used to connect two sections of rail…
Flatbed Trailer Types
Flatbed trailers come in all shapes, sizes, and maximum load capacities. Some of the most common types of flatbed trailers…
Flexible tanks
The most common method to transporting bulk liquids is a ISO standards tank container, but flexible tanks are an alternative…
Fly Ash
What is Fly Ash? Fly Ash is an industrial by-product created from burning coal at high temperatures in electric generation…
FRA
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the federal agency in the United States responsible for regulating and ensuring railway transportation…
Fractionation
The separation process where a quantity of a mixture (gas, solid, liquid, or suspension) is divided during its transition to…
Frac Sand
Hydraulic fracturing injects water, chemicals, and sand. The sand is called frac sand or proppant and combined with the water…
Freeboard
What is Freeboard in Spill Containment? Freeboard, in the context of spill containment, refers to the extra capacity or space…
Freefall Distance
Freefall distance: The vertical displacement between the onset of the fall and just before the fall arrest system begins to…
Free Surface Effect
Also referred simply as ‘sloshing,’ this effect represents the tendency of liquids or unconstrained aggregates of small solid objects, such…
Fuel Transfer Systems
Airports have fuel transfer systems that push fuel from remote storage tanks to aircraft on the ground. The jet fuel…
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Gate Valve
In wastewater and oil & gas industries, fully open or completely closed gate valves (also known as a sluice valve) permit a full…
Gondola Railcar
Transports: Heavy bulk commodities including scrap metal, aggregates, logs, lumber, steel, sand, copper, and iron ore. Gondolas are sturdy cars…
Grounding vs. Bonding
Understanding the Difference in Industrial Static Control Regarding static electricity control in hazardous locations, two terms often create confusion: grounding…
Guardrail System
Guardrail system: Used in fall protection to prevent accidents. A barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels….
Guiding Principles
GUIDING PRINCIPLES. Conditions for performance of work that a Safety Management System must address. The guiding principles for the Safety…
H
Hazmat Placards
The transportation of hazardous substances requires special precautions to ensure safe handling and prevent accidents. In international commerce, the United…
Heat Stress
OSHA has been on a campaign to educate workplaces about the dangers of heat stress and working in the heat….
Hoist
Hoist: A manual or power-operated mechanical device to raise or lower a suspended scaffold. SOURCE: OSHA A hoist gets heavy…
Hopper Car
A hopper car (US) or hopper wagon (UIC) is a type of railroad freight car used to transport loose bulk…
Hydraulic Fracturing – Fracking
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a drilling and extraction process used to release oil and natural gas from…
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Industrial Hygiene
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. The science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of those environmental factors or stresses,…
Industrial Stairs Landing
Landing: Regarding industrial stairs. A platform at the end of a flight of stairs. SOURCE: OSHA Guide for Stairs and…
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Tote Tanks
Perfect for storing and transporting large quantities of liquids, solvents, or granulate substances used in the food, chemical (See more…
Isotainers – ISO Tank Containers
ISO Tank Containers (or ISOtainers) are for transporting bulk liquids. ISO is an acronym for “International Organization for Standardization” the…
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Ladder Safety Systems (LSS)
A Ladder Safety System (LSS) is a fall protection system designed to keep workers safe while climbing or descending fixed…
Ladder Stand
Ladder stand: A mobile, fixed-size, self-supporting ladder consisting of a wide flat tread ladder in the form of stairs. SOURCE:…
Lifeline
A lifeline is a critical component of a fall protection system. It consists of a flexible line that connects workers…
Life Cycle
LIFE CYCLE. The life of an asset from planning through acquisition, maintenance, operation, and disposition. Every piece of equipment or…
Liquid Slug
What is a Liquid Slug? A liquid slug is a concentrated packet or volume of liquid that accumulates within a…
Load-Out Station
A load-out station is an engineered facility or platform designed to enable the safe, efficient, and compliant transfer of bulk…
Lower Levels
Lower levels: In fall protection, lower levels are those areas or surfaces to which an employee can fall. Such areas…
Low Dock Leveler
Low dock levelers are installed on top of existing low-height loading docks, typically raising the dock height by as much…
Low Slope Roof
Low-slope roof: In fall protection, a low slope roof is a roof having a slope less than or equal to…
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Machine Guarding
According to OSHA, the way businesses operate and maintain machines is maiming their workers — 18,000 amputations, lacerations, and other…
Manual Control Valve (Hand Wheel)
A manual control valve with a hand wheel regulates the flow of liquids in industrial piping systems by turning a…
MAWP = Maximum Allowable Working Pressure.
MAWP is the highest internal pressure a vessel or cargo tank can operate at (at its design temperature), based on…
Motor Operated Valve (MOV)
Motor operated valves (commonly abbreviated as MOV on P&IDs) are valves that are actuated by electric motors. Motor operated valves…
MRO
MRO stands for maintenance, repair, and operations, and it covers the people, processes, parts, and services that keep your facility,…
MSDS Sheets – OSHA Term
MSDS Sheets, also called Material Safety Data Sheets, are official safety documents required by OSHA. These sheets explain how to…
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NGL – Natural Gas Liquids
Source: The Role of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) in the American Petrochemical Boom Natural gas coming directly from a well…
Noncombustible
NONCOMBUSTIBLE. A material that in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated will not ignite,…
Nosing
Nosing refers to the overhang in your stair treads, and if you don't have one on your stairs, OSHA Standard Number…
Nurdles
Small, uniform plastic pellets (typically 2-5mm in diameter) that serve as the raw material for manufacturing plastic products. Also known…
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Odorant
Odorants are chemical additives added to odorless gases, such as natural gas, to make them detectable by smell. This is…
Oil and Gas Extraction – OSHA Term
Oil and gas workers are in an industry where workplace injuries can occur with great frequency. Health hazards and dangerous…
Oil Drum
An oil drum is a cylindrical container for storing and transporting oils and greases, often accessed through a drum cover….
Other 2-Axle 4-Tire Vehicles (Truck)
Includes vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Defined by the Federal Highway Administration: All two-axle, four-tire, vehicles, other than…
O Ring
Made out of Buna-N; that is Nitrile. Nitrile is a rubbery material that is used to make O Ring sealant…
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Passivation
Passivation is a chemical treatment and preparation applied to stainless steel surfaces and welds to remove free iron and contaminants,…
Performance Degradation
PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION. Failure or degradation of a facility, process, system, or component that reduces the reliability of critical components of…
Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) are essential safety systems designed to protect workers from falls when working at heights. These…
Pigging
Pigging or Pipeline pigging involves inserting inspection gauges or cleaning devices, commonly referred to as pigs, into a pipeline through…
Planned Maintenance
PLANNED MAINTENANCE. Preventive, or seasonal maintenance activities performed prior to structure, system, and component failure which may be initiated by…
Pneumatic Trailer
Right now, you’re probably surrounded by items made of plastic—phones, pens, eyeglasses, yogurt cups, you name it. Practically every ounce…
Portable Eyewash Station – OSHA Term
OSHA requires that convenient fixed or portable eyewash stations be placed in any workplace where corrosive chemicals are used. Eyewash…
Powered Industrial Trucks – OSHA Term
The OSHA term “Powered Industrial Trucks” (PITs) generally refers to forklifts, which are essential vehicles in warehouses, factories, and industrial…
Pressure Vessel – OSHA Term
A Pressure Vessel is a storage tank or vessel that has been built to operate at pressures greater than 15…
Proppant
Hydraulic fracturing proppants A proppant is a solid material, typically sand, treated sand, or man-made ceramic materials, designed to keep…
Proppant Containers
Stacked Proppant Containers Proppant containers are standardized containers used to get sand, typically frac sand from the mine to the…
P&IDs
P&IDs (piping and instrumentation diagram) are a schematic illustration of the functional relationship of piping, instrumentation, and system equipment components…
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Railroad Cars
The 12 Different Types of Railroad Cars Autorack Transports: Finished vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. How it is built:…
Railroad Frog
A railroad frog is a vital device in railroad track systems that enables train wheels to shift smoothly from one…
Rail Chair
A rail chair, consisting of two jaws and a rail seat, is a component of rail fastening systems. Installed between…
Rail Clip
A rail clip is an essential fastening device that secures steel rails to railway sleepers. These clips ensure reliable connections…
Rail Neutral Temperature
Extreme heat can cause the metal to expand, buckling track. Source: https://pathsoflight.us/musing/ Environmental heating causes rails to enlarge and can…
Rail Pad and Rail Insulator
Rail pads are elastic polyurethane mats positioned between rails and sleepers to protect infrastructure from vibration and wear. These components…
Rail Plastic Dowel
Rail plastic dowels, also referred to as rail plastic sleeves or concrete inserts, serve as the fastening foundation in concrete…
Rail Spikes
Rail spikes are large, chisel-shaped nails with offset heads used to secure rails and base plates to sleepers. These spikes…
Rail Ties (Railway Sleepers)
Railway ties, also called sleepers, are horizontal support structures positioned between rail tracks to maintain correct gauge spacing. Early wooden…
Rotary union
A rotary union is sometimes referred to as a rotating union, rotary valve, swivel union, rotor seal, rotary couplings, rotary…
RTU (rooftop unit)
RTU, or Rooftop Unit, is a self-contained HVAC system that houses all major heating and cooling components in a single,…
S
Safety Analysis or Safety Inspection
SAFETY ANALYSIS OR SAFETY INSPECTION – A documented process: A. to provide systematic identification of hazards within a given operation;…
Safety Stand-Down – OSHA Term
Safety Stand-Downs Worker falls from elevations were again the leading cause of worker death in the Construction Industry in 2017….
Scaffolding – OSHA Term
Scaffolding has been around as long as humans started building up from the ground. OSHA scaffolding regulations define a scaffold…
Scaffold Brace
Scaffold Brace: A rigid connection that holds one scaffold member in a fixed position with respect to another member, or…
Shut off Valve
A shut off valve has a built-in mechanism that stops the downstream flow of liquid. Alternatively known as the block…
SKL Rail Clip
SKL rail clips are specialized tension clamps designed to provide permanent elastic clamping for turnout parts on concrete bearers. These…
Slickwater
Slickwater or slick water fracturing is a hydro-fracturing method to increase fluid flow by adding chemicals to the water. The…
Solenoid Valves
The Role of Solenoid Valves in Pneumatic and Hydraulic Power Systems What is a Solenoid Valve? A solenoid valve is…
Spill Berm
An edge barrier, or small wall along a paved surface near a storage tank that is designed to contain errant…
Splash Loading
Splash loading, or top splash loading, is a form of top loading that involves filling tanks with material by positioning…
Spring Spikes
Spring spikes, also known as elastic rail spikes, are two-pronged U-shaped fasteners bent to resemble the letter M. These specialized…
Stair Railing Height
No matter how you call it, stair rails, guardrails, or handrails — some standards must be met when it comes…
Storage Tank Access – OSHA Term
Storage tank access refers to the OSHA-defined procedures and safety considerations for workers entering and working inside petroleum and petrochemical…
T
Tanker
An oceangoing ship designed to haul liquid bulk cargo in world trade. Although the term mostly refers to ships, it…
Test Stand
A test stand, often referred to as a test rig, is a specialized setup or system used for testing components,…
Test/Drain Valve (Lever Handle)
A test/drain valve with a lever handle is a ball valve installed in fire sprinkler systems and industrial piping to…
Toeboard
A toeboard is a lowest-lying blockade between 4 and 12 inches in height, as part of the guardrail system closest to…
Trailer Creep
In the loading dock industry, this dangerous situation is called trailer creep (truck creep or trailer walk). Trailer creep occurs…
Trap Drop
A tarp drop refers to a type of tarp used in the trucking industry to cover loads on flatbed trailers….
Truck spotting
Truck spotting is the art of assisting truck drivers in maneuvering their vehicles to park or depart. While it may…
Truck Tanker Truck Types
Fuel transport safety is a major concern for any company that moves and distributes fuel. Various cargoes require different types…
U
V
Volatile Chemicals
VOLATILE CHEMICALS. Chemicals that can be readily vaporized at a relatively low temperature. SOURCE: Department of Energy The Department of…
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They are commonly found in…
W
Workers Rights – OSHA Term
OSHA Standards for companies are concerned with the safety of workers in any workplace. OSHA developed a list of worker’s…
Work Control Document
WORK CONTROL DOCUMENT. A procedural document used by facility personnel to perform activities such as maintenance, inspections, testing, or other…
