Risk Management Key Terms
TCHRA PHR and SPHR Preparation Course




















Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)- bloodborne pathogen transmitted
through intimate contact
Bloodborne pathogen- microorganism in human blood that can cause disease in humans
Building related illness- building occupants experience acute illness due to airborne
building contaminants such as paint, new carpeting, fumes and lack of fresh air intake or
exchange rates
Business continuity planning- management process to identify potential threats and
prepare against threats; protects persons and property, assists in speedy recovery of
operations
Computer vision syndrome- vision problems such as headaches and blurred vision
associated with video terminals
Confined space entry- OSHA standard to protect workers working in confined spaces
from entrapment, engulfment by liquids or small particles
Control of Hazardous Energy standard- OSHA regulation to avoid equipment activation
when shut down for repair or troubleshooting. See lockout and tagout
Cumulative trauma disorders (CTD)- repetitive motion injury such as carpal tunnel
syndrome
De minimis violation- violation of an OSHA standard that does not have a direct impact
on employees safety and health on the job
D&O coverage- insurance coverage protecting directors and officers of a company from
lawsuits for errors or mistakes
Disaster recovery plan- similar to business continuity planning, plan addresses steps to
take following human or natural disaster affecting business operation. May include
items such as fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, violence, etc.
Drug free workplace act- requires federal government contractors with $10,000 or more
in contracts to certify they are maintaining a drug free workplace. Does NOT require
drug testing
Early return to work program- also known as light duty or work hardening, allows
employees to come back to work with jobs meeting any physical restrictions
Emergency exit procedures (means of egress standard)- OSHA standards for emergency
action plan and specifications on exits and maintenance of emergency systems
Employee Assistance Program- employer sponsored plan to assist employees and family
members with personal issues including drug/alcohol, financial, legal, marital and
personal issues.
Employment practices liability insurance- supplemental insurance employer carries to
provide protection from lawsuits, claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, or
other employment related issues
Enterprise risk management (ERM)- software system or program to assess potential
risks to the organization and probability / severity of risks
Ergonomics- design of work environment to address the physical demands experienced
by employees (chair, keyboard, video display, back braces, training on lifting, etc)
Fetal protection policies- attempts to protect the fetus from workplace hazards (note
Johnson Controls case)
General duty clause- OSHA statement requiring employers to provide a safe and hazard
free workplace.



















GINA- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act- requires employers not to make
employment related decisions based on genetic disposition. May be an issue with
physical exams and wellness programs if non-work related decisions are made based on
genetic factors
Hazard- potential for harm if a situation or condition, if not addressed can result in
injury or illness
Hazard communication standard (employee right to know) OSHA standard requiring
employers to label train, orient employees of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and
how to address spills, exposure, ingestion, contact, contamination, etc. Material Safety
Data Sheets provided to employees and near the hazardous material to cover chemicals,
first aid, etc.
Homeland Security Act-Act designed to protect the US against terrorists and other
threats including border control.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)- virus leading to acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS)
Incident- A deviation from an acceptable standard resulting from an unsafe act or
unsafe condition
Job burnout- physical and/or mental exhaustion. May be caused by striving to reach
unrealistic or unattainable goals.
Lockout- in risk management, it refers to a physical lock, disconnect switch or shutoff
valve to eliminate potential of equipment being activated by mistake.
Machine guarding standard- OSHA standard to provide machinery operators and other
employees against injury
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)- must be provided by manufacturers of hazardous
substance to inform employees of hazardous properties
Mine Safety and Health Act- Mandatory health and safety standards for underground
and surface mines.
Modified duty program- light or restricted duty to assist employee to return to work
prior to full recover of illness or injury
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)- disease caused by repetitive motion affecting muscles,
joints, tendons, nerves, blood vessels and spinal disk.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)- agency collecting health
and safety information for government. Publishes statistical information
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act- revision to Bloodborne Pathogens standard
requiring employers to minimize exposure to blood through sharps exposure
Occupational illness- medical condition or disorder resulting from work related exposure
(other than injury)
Occupational injury- injury resulting from work related incident or exposure
OSHA Inspection prioritieso First priority – Imminent danger
o Second priority – Fatalities and catastrophes’
o Third priority- Complaints
o Fourth priority- Referrals
o Fifth priority- Followups
o Sixth priority- planned or programmed investigations
Occupational Noise Exposure (hearing conservation) standard- OSHA standard requiring
employers to provide controls on unsafe noise levels in workplace
2





















Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Act that established national policy on safety
and health
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- agency that administers and
enforces Occupational Safety and Health Act
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC)- group that rules on
contested OSHA citations
OSHA Form 300- log of work related injuries and illnesses, used to classify work related
injuries and illnesses and severity of each
OSHA Form 300A- Summary of work related injury and illness for the year in each
category. Must be posted
OSHA Form 301- provides details of incidents with occupational injury or illness
Other than serious violation- Violations of an OSHA standard that would probably not
cause serious physical harm or death
Pandemic- a new disease affecting a segment of the population causing serious illness
and spreading rapidly.
Personal Protective Equipment Standard- OSHA Standard to protect employees from
environmental, chemical, mechanical, radiological hazards. PPE may include head
protection, full body protection, aprons, gloves, eye and ear protection, face masks, face
shields, welding helmets, etc. Note that the organization must provide PPE at no cost
except for prescription eyewear, safety shoes and logging boots.
Process Safety Management Standard- OSHA standard aimed at preventing or
minimizing the consequences of catastrophic release of toxic, reactive, flammable or
explosive chemicals.
Professional liability insurance- insurance that protects directors, officers, employees
and organizations against claims of negligence in performance of professional services.
Proprietary information- sensitive information owned by an organization that gives the
organization competitive advantages
Repeat violation- violation of OSHA standard that is a repeat of a prior violation found
on an earlier inspection
Risk management- identification, evaluation and control of risk that may affect the
organization
Risk management scorecard- tool used to assess risk and make calculated judgments
based on the probability that a circumstance will occur and the potential consequences
Safety committee- workers from different levels and departments involved with safety
planning and programs (note Electromation and Crown Cork and Seal cases)
Safety hierarchy- Four priorities
o First priority is to eliminate hazard completely
o Second priority is to use safeguards
o Third priority is to train and instruct
o Fourth priority is to provide personal protection
Serious violation- violation of OSHA standard that would likely cause death or serious
injury
Sick building syndrome (SBS)- situation in which building occupants experience acute
health problems that are linked to time spent in building
Tagout- signs or labels attached to equipment to warn others not to activate
Technology security risks - improper security resulting in compromised data, hackers,
stolen computers, common passwords, lack of access audits, employee installed
software, malware, virus, theft of sensitive data, business interruption
3







Unsafe acts- employee violates safety rule, process or does something dumb
Unsafe conditions- faulty equipment, spill on floor, poor air quality
USA Patriot Act- allows greater Government controls to prevent terrorism including
wiretapping, surveillance, etc.
Voluntary protection program- joint program with OSHA to examine issues and identify
workplace risks to employees. Employer asks OSHA to assist on a proactive basis.
Vulnerabilities- areas of potential safety or risk to employees.
Wellness program- typically an employer sponsored program to enhance employee life
including employee testing, programs to stop smoking, weight loss, improve physical
conditions, etc.a
Willful violation- employer has knowledge and deliberately does not correct issue, fix
equipment, keeps emergency doors locked, etc.
4