US safety agencies, laws and units for the ASP, CSP and CHST

The exams are written around US agencies, laws and units. If you trained elsewhere, or you're new to safety, these 84 terms are the ones the questions assume you already know.

Each definition is our plain-English summary with a link to an official source. Where it helps, a short note names the UK, Canadian or Gulf counterpart. Those notes are for orientation only; the exam tests the US rule. Sources checked October 20, 2026. For terms defined word for word in the regulations, see the safety exam glossary.

A to Z index

Agencies and bodies

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): The federal agency in the US Department of Labor that sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards for most private employers.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: HSE. Canada: provincial regulators. Abu Dhabi: OSHAD (Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre). Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
State Plan (OSHA-approved): A state-run workplace safety program approved by federal OSHA; it must be at least as effective as federal OSHA, and about half the states run one.; Source: osha.gov
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): The federal research agency, part of CDC, that studies work hazards and publishes recommendations such as RELs. It does not enforce rules.; Source: cdc.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: comparable research role played by HSE's science division.
OSHRC (Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission): An independent federal agency that decides contested OSHA citations; it is separate from OSHA.; Source: oshrc.gov
MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration): The Department of Labor agency that enforces safety and health rules at mines, under the Mine Act, instead of OSHA.; Source: msha.gov
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): The federal agency that regulates air, water, waste and chemicals to protect people and the environment.; Source: epa.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Environment Agency. UAE: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
DOT (Department of Transportation): The federal department that regulates transportation safety, including hazardous materials shipping and commercial drivers.; Source: transportation.gov
PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration): The DOT agency that writes the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180) and pipeline safety rules.; Source: phmsa.dot.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. International: UN Model Regulations (Orange Book) underpin most countries' dangerous goods rules.
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration): The DOT agency that regulates commercial trucks and buses, including driver hours of service and drug and alcohol testing.; Source: fmcsa.dot.gov
CSB (Chemical Safety Board): An independent federal agency that investigates major chemical accidents and makes safety recommendations; it has no enforcement power.; Source: csb.gov
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission): The federal agency that licenses and regulates civilian nuclear materials; its radiation protection rules for licensees are in 10 CFR Part 20.; Source: ecfr.gov
EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission): The federal agency that enforces laws against job discrimination, including the employment part of the ADA.; Source: eeoc.gov
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): The federal agency that coordinates disaster preparedness and response and publishes NIMS and ICS guidance.; Source: fema.gov
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission): The federal agency that regulates the safety of consumer products and handles recalls.; Source: cpsc.gov
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics): The Department of Labor agency that publishes US injury, illness and fatality statistics (SOII and CFOI), used to benchmark incident rates.; Source: bls.gov
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): A US nonprofit that publishes consensus fire and electrical codes such as NFPA 70 and NFPA 101; they become law when adopted by a jurisdiction.; Source: nfpa.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UAE: UAE Fire and Life Safety Code. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Building Code fire section. Many Gulf projects also reference NFPA.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute): The private nonprofit that coordinates the US voluntary standards system and approves American National Standards; ANSI does not write standards itself.; Source: ansi.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. International: ISO. UK: BSI.
ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals): A US professional society that is the secretariat for many ANSI safety standards, such as the Z10 and A10 series.; Source: assp.org
ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists): A private nonprofit that publishes TLVs and BEIs. Its values are guidelines, not law, unless a regulation adopts them.; Source: acgih.org
AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association): A US professional association for industrial hygienists that publishes guidance and accredits labs.; Source: aiha.org
BCSP (Board of Certified Safety Professionals): The US certification body that awards the ASP, CSP, CHST and other safety credentials and writes their exams.; Source: bcsp.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. BCSP also has a Middle East office (bcspmea.org).

Laws and legal terms

OSH Act (Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970): The federal law that created OSHA and NIOSH and requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized serious hazards.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Canada: provincial OHS acts. UAE: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (labour) and emirate systems such as OSHAD.
General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)): The OSH Act duty to keep the workplace free of recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm; OSHA cites it when no specific standard applies.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: the 'so far as is reasonably practicable' duty in HSWA s.2 plays a similar catch-all role.
Section 11(c) (whistleblower protection): The OSH Act section that bars employers from retaliating against workers who report safety concerns or injuries.; Source: osha.gov
CFR (Code of Federal Regulations): The official compilation of US federal rules, arranged by title. OSHA rules are in Title 29; DOT hazmat in Title 49; EPA in Title 40.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK equivalents are statutory instruments (Regulations) plus HSE Approved Codes of Practice.
29 CFR 1910 (General Industry): OSHA's standards for general industry workplaces such as factories, warehouses and hospitals.; Source: ecfr.gov
29 CFR 1926 (Construction): OSHA's standards for construction work, including fall protection (Subpart M), scaffolds (Subpart L) and excavations (Subpart P).; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM).
29 CFR 1904 (Recordkeeping): OSHA's rule on recording and reporting work-related injuries and illnesses on the 300, 300A and 301 forms.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: RIDDOR 2013 (reporting rather than a logging system).
Federal Register: The daily US government publication where proposed and final rules appear before being added to the CFR.; Source: federalregister.gov
Consensus standard: A standard adopted by a nationally recognized standards body through a process where interested parties reach substantial agreement (OSH Act s.3(9)); voluntary unless a law or regulation adopts it.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. International: ISO standards work the same way.
Incorporation by reference: When a regulation makes an outside standard (for example an ANSI or NFPA edition) legally binding by naming it, as listed in 29 CFR 1910.6.; Source: ecfr.gov
Standard interpretation letter: A written OSHA answer explaining how it applies a standard to a specific situation; it guides enforcement but does not create new duties.; Source: osha.gov
Citation and penalty (OSHA): After an inspection OSHA may issue citations classed as willful, serious, other-than-serious or repeat, each with a maximum penalty adjusted yearly for inflation.; Source: osha.gov
Multi-employer citation policy: OSHA's policy on construction and other multi-employer sites for deciding whether a creating, exposing, correcting or controlling employer can be cited.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: CDM duties of client, principal designer and principal contractor.
Workers' compensation: State-run, no-fault insurance systems that pay medical costs and lost wages for work injuries; in exchange the employee generally cannot sue the employer. Each state has its own law.; Source: dol.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit plus employers' liability insurance. Saudi Arabia: GOSI occupational hazards branch.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): The federal law that bars disability discrimination and requires reasonable accommodation at work, enforced for employment by the EEOC.; Source: ada.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Equality Act 2010.
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act): The federal law giving eligible employees unpaid, job-protected leave for serious health conditions and family reasons.; Source: dol.gov
Negligence and tort: A tort is a civil wrong; negligence is failing to use reasonable care, causing harm. Workers' comp usually bars negligence suits against the employer, but not against third parties.; Source: law.cornell.edu

Recordkeeping and metrics

OSHA Form 300 (Log): The log of each recordable work-related injury and illness an employer keeps for the year.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: RIDDOR reports plus the accident book.
OSHA Form 300A (Summary): The yearly summary of the 300 Log; it must be certified by a company executive and posted February 1 to April 30.; Source: ecfr.gov
OSHA Form 301 (Incident Report): The detailed report for each recordable case, completed within 7 calendar days of learning of it.; Source: ecfr.gov
Severe injury reporting: Employers must report a work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours and an inpatient hospitalization, amputation or eye loss within 24 hours.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: RIDDOR specified injuries, reported without delay.
TRIR / TCIR (total recordable incident rate): Recordable cases x 200,000 / hours worked: the number of recordable cases per 100 full-time workers per year.; Source: bls.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK and international firms often use a per 1,000,000 hours base (e.g. LTIFR); check the base before comparing.
DART rate: Days Away, Restricted or Transferred: DART cases x 200,000 / hours worked.; Source: bls.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Closest international idea: lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR), which is not the same calculation.
200,000-hour base: The constant in US incident rates: 100 employees x 40 hours x 50 weeks.; Source: bls.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Many non-US companies use 1,000,000 hours instead.
Recordable case: A work-related injury or illness that results in death, days away, restricted work or transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosed condition.; Source: ecfr.gov
First aid (US recordkeeping meaning): A closed list of treatments in 1904.7(b)(5)(ii); anything not on the list counts as medical treatment and makes the case recordable.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Other countries use their own first-aid definitions; the exam uses OSHA's list.

Chemicals and exposure

HazCom (Hazard Communication Standard): OSHA's rule (29 CFR 1910.1200) requiring chemical labels, safety data sheets and worker training; it is aligned with the GHS.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Canada: WHMIS 2015. EU/UK: CLP Regulation. All are based on the UN GHS.
GHS (Globally Harmonized System): The UN system for classifying chemicals and communicating hazards with pictograms, signal words and 16-section SDSs.; Source: ecfr.gov
PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): OSHA's legally enforceable airborne exposure limit, usually an 8-hour TWA, listed mainly in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Tables Z-1 to Z-3. Many date from 1971.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs, EH40). Canada: provincial OELs.
TLV (Threshold Limit Value): ACGIH's recommended exposure guideline, updated yearly and often lower than the OSHA PEL; not enforceable by OSHA unless adopted.; Source: acgih.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Many Gulf and other national rules adopt ACGIH TLVs directly.
REL (Recommended Exposure Limit): NIOSH's recommended limit, usually a TWA for up to a 10-hour day in a 40-hour week; advisory only.; Source: cdc.gov
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: A free NIOSH reference listing PELs, RELs, IDLH values and properties for hundreds of chemicals.; Source: cdc.gov
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR): DOT/PHMSA rules in 49 CFR 171-180 for classifying, packaging, marking, labeling and placarding hazmat in transport.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. International: UN Model Regulations, ADR (road, Europe), IMDG (sea), IATA DGR (air).
RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act): The federal law, run by EPA, governing hazardous waste from 'cradle to grave'.; Source: epa.gov
EPCRA / SARA Title III: The federal law requiring facilities to report hazardous chemical storage and releases to local and state emergency planners (Tier II, TRI).; Source: epa.gov
CERCLA (Superfund): The federal law for cleaning up hazardous waste sites and reporting releases of hazardous substances.; Source: epa.gov
Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act: The main federal laws on air emissions and on discharges to US waters, enforced by EPA and states.; Source: epa.gov
RMP (Risk Management Program): EPA's rule (40 CFR Part 68) requiring facilities with large amounts of listed chemicals to plan for and prevent accidental releases; the companion to OSHA PSM.; Source: epa.gov
PSM (Process Safety Management): OSHA's standard (29 CFR 1910.119) for preventing catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals, with 14 elements such as PHA and MOC.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK/EU: COMAH (Seveso). Gulf operators often use company standards built on PSM and CCPS.
HAZWOPER: OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard (29 CFR 1910.120) for cleanup sites, TSD facilities and emergency response to releases.; Source: ecfr.gov

Key standards and programs

OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Outreach cards: Voluntary OSHA Outreach Training Program courses for workers (10-hour) and supervisors (30-hour); they are training, not certifications.; Source: osha.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. Comparable to IOSH Working Safely / Managing Safely or NEBOSH certificates in purpose, not content.
VPP (Voluntary Protection Programs): OSHA's recognition program for worksites with excellent safety management systems.; Source: osha.gov
SHARP: OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program for small businesses that use free On-Site Consultation.; Source: osha.gov
OSHA On-Site Consultation: Free, confidential safety advice for small and medium businesses, run by states and separate from enforcement.; Source: osha.gov
ANSI/ASSP Z10: The US voluntary standard for occupational health and safety management systems.; Source: assp.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. International: ISO 45001 (management systems). The exam may test both.
ISO 45001: The international standard for occupational health and safety management systems; not a US law, but tested on BCSP exams.; Source: iso.org
ANSI Z359 (fall protection): The ANSI/ASSP family of voluntary standards for personal fall protection equipment and programs.; Source: assp.org
NFPA 70E: The NFPA standard for electrical safety in the workplace (arc flash and shock protection); OSHA uses it as a guide for meeting its electrical rules.; Source: nfpa.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and HSG85.
NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code, NEC): The US model code for electrical installations, adopted by most states and cities.; Source: nfpa.org; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: BS 7671. International: IEC 60364.
NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code): The NFPA code for building exits, egress and fire protection features to protect occupants.; Source: nfpa.org
Emergency action plan (EAP): A written plan required by 29 CFR 1910.38 when an OSHA standard calls for one, covering reporting, evacuation and roles.; Source: ecfr.gov
Hierarchy of controls: The NIOSH order of preference for controlling hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE.; Source: cdc.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK and ISO 45001 use the same ordering idea.
NIOSH Lifting Equation: NIOSH's method for calculating a recommended weight limit for a two-hand lift, with a 51 lb (23 kg) load constant.; Source: cdc.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: HSE MAC tool and L23 guidance.
OSHA hearing conservation (85 dBA action level): Under 29 CFR 1910.95, employers need a hearing conservation program when exposure reaches an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA; the PEL is 90 dBA with a 5 dB exchange rate.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK/EU: 80 and 85 dB(A) action values with a 3 dB exchange rate. NIOSH recommends 85 dBA with 3 dB.
Fall protection trigger heights: OSHA requires fall protection at 4 feet (1.2 m) in general industry and 6 feet (1.8 m) in construction.; Source: ecfr.gov; For orientation; the exam tests the US rule. UK: Work at Height Regulations 2005 have no minimum height.

US units (with metric)

Foot (ft) / inch (in): 1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly; 1 in = 2.54 cm exactly. OSHA heights and clearances are given in feet and inches.; Source: nist.gov
Pound (lb): 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg exactly. NIOSH's 51 lb load constant is about 23 kg.; Source: nist.gov
Degrees Fahrenheit (°F): °C = (°F - 32) / 1.8. US flash points are often stated in °F; for example 199.4 °F = 93 °C, the HazCom flammable liquid cutoff.; Source: nist.gov
Pounds per square inch (psi): 1 psi ≈ 6.895 kPa (about 0.069 bar). Used for compressed gas, hydrostatic test and air-tool pressures.; Source: nist.gov
Gallon (US): 1 US gallon ≈ 3.785 L (smaller than the UK imperial gallon, 4.546 L). Used for container and spill volumes.; Source: nist.gov
Cubic feet per minute (cfm) and feet per minute (fpm): Ventilation flow (cfm) and air velocity (fpm). 1 cfm ≈ 0.000472 m³/s; 1 fpm = 0.00508 m/s. Q = V x A uses these on the exam.; Source: nist.gov
Foot-candle (fc): US unit of illuminance: 1 fc ≈ 10.76 lux.; Source: nist.gov
Mils, inches of water and other small units: 1 mil = 0.001 in (25.4 µm); 1 inch of water ≈ 249 Pa, used for ventilation static pressure.; Source: nist.gov

Formulas

For incident rates, lifting and noise math, see safety exam formulas with worked examples.

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