PPE Program Definitions

ANSI: American National Standards Institute - coordinates the development and use of voluntary consensus standards in the United States, and represents the needs and views of U. S. stakeholders in standardization forums around the globe.

ASTM: American Society of Testing Materials - one of the largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world - a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services.

Competent person: a person capable of identifying safety hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action.

NFPA: National Fire Protection Association - a nonprofit organization formed to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. NIOSH is part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services.

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration - formed by the federal government to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

Qualified Person: One who has received training appropriate for the tasks to be performed, and has demonstrated the necessary skills and techniques to perform his or her work safely.

SDS: Safety Data Sheet - A summary sheet provided by the manufacturer of a chemical or other potentially hazardous product. The MSDS explains the hazards of the material and the precautions that must be taken to prevent fires, explosions, or harmful health effects.

TWA: Time-weighted average - (in reference to noise exposure) the sound level which, if constant over an eight-hour exposure, would result in the same noise dose as is measured.