A glossary of occupational safety andfire safety
Plain explanations of complex terms: N-1, NPAOP, fire-technical minimum, ISO 45001 and others. No legal padding — just what matters.
Occupational safety and fire safety terms
Administrative personnel
Employees who perform organizational, office, managerial, or support functions and receive occupational safety and fire safety briefings appropriate to their working conditions.
Annual special training
Mandatory annual special training and assessment of knowledge of the relevant occupational safety and health regulations for employees engaged in work included in the List of High-Risk Work or the List of Work Requiri…
Assessment of working conditions
Determining whether workplace conditions comply with sanitary and hygienic standards; this is a component of workplace certification based on working conditions.
Automatic fire alarm system
A system of fire detectors, control and indicating equipment, and alarm devices that automatically detects signs of fire and sends an alarm signal.
Automatic fire extinguishing system
A fixed engineering system that automatically detects a fire and discharges an extinguishing agent, such as water, foam, gas, or powder, to suppress it without human intervention.
Boiler room
A room or installation used to produce thermal energy and subject to enhanced gas, fire, and occupational safety requirements.
Briefing program
A document establishing the topics, scope, and procedure for occupational safety and health or fire safety induction or initial briefing.
Briefing register
A record in which the date and type of briefing, employee details, topic, signatures, and the person who delivered the briefing are entered.
Chemically hazardous facility
An enterprise or unit where hazardous chemicals are stored, used, or produced and where a release may threaten people or the environment.
Chimney
A duct for removing combustion products that requires cleaning, inspection, and documentation of the work in a logbook.
Civil protection
A system of organizational, engineering, technical, sanitary, hygienic, and other measures taken by public authorities, enterprises, and the population to prevent emergencies, protect people and territories, and elimi…
Civil protection shelter
A civil protection shelter or other structure intended to protect people from hazardous emergency factors, hostilities, and terrorist acts.
Civil protection training
Training managers, employees, and the public to act in emergencies, including sheltering, evacuation, first aid, and the use of protective equipment.
Classes of working conditions
A grading of working conditions by harmfulness and hazard: Class 1—optimal, Class 2—acceptable, Class 3—harmful (3.
Collective agreement (OSH section)
An agreement between the employer and the workforce that, among other matters, establishes occupational safety and health commitments, including financing, provision of PPE, benefits, compensation, and medical examina…
Combustible materials
Substances or materials capable of igniting and sustaining combustion; they require proper storage, labeling, and control of ignition sources.
Crane runway
The rails or structures along which a lifting crane travels; they require inspection and technical condition monitoring.
Declaration of compliance (SESU)
A document by which a business entity declares that its facilities and resources comply with fire safety legislation.
Diesel generator
An electricity-generating unit driven by an internal combustion engine; safe operation requires control of fuel, ventilation, electrical safety, and fire safety.
Drill press
A machine tool for drilling holes; risks involve spindle rotation, swarf, workpiece clamping, and the use of PPE.
Electric forklift
A forklift with an electric drive that additionally requires control of battery charging, electrical safety, and battery condition.
Electrical installations and systems
The enterprise’s electrical installations, networks, equipment, documentation, and responsible persons associated with the operation of electrical equipment.
Electrical safety
A system of organizational and technical measures that prevents electric shock, arc flash, fires caused by electrical equipment, and other electrical risks.
Emergency exit
An exit leading directly outdoors or to a safe area and meeting requirements for dimensions, door-opening direction, and safety signage.
Emergency rescue operations
Urgent actions aimed at rescuing people, reducing the effects of hazardous emergency factors, and containing the affected area.
Emergency response drill
A practical exercise of personnel actions in the event of an accident or hazardous situation, with the results recorded in a logbook.
Emergency situation
An event or condition that threatens human life or health, property, or the environment and requires work to be stopped immediately, the supervisor to be notified, and the established emergency procedure to be followed.
Employee-elected occupational safety and health representative
An employee elected by the workforce to participate in public oversight of occupational safety and health conditions.
Energy service
A service or designated function that organizes the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the enterprise’s energy equipment.
Evacuation
The organized movement of people out of a hazardous area or building in the event of fire or another danger.
Evacuation drill
A practical exercise of personnel actions for evacuating a building during a drill alarm.
Evacuation plan
A graphic document showing evacuation routes, emergency exits, locations of primary firefighting equipment, and instructions for actions in the event of fire.
Explosion and fire hazard
A combination of conditions in which combustible substances, gases, vapors, dust, or equipment may cause an explosion or fire.
Explosion and fire hazard category of premises
The classification of industrial and storage premises into the Ukrainian categories А, Б, В, Г, and Д according to the properties of the substances stored or used and the fire load.
Fire
Uncontrolled combustion that threatens human life or health, property, or the environment.
Fire alarm system
A system that detects signs of fire and transmits an alarm or control signal to other fire protection systems.
Fire containment
Actions intended to limit the spread of fire before fire and rescue units arrive, using primary firefighting equipment and measures such as shutting down ventilation and closing doors.
Fire emergency procedure
The sequence of employee actions for reporting a fire, evacuating, shutting down equipment, using primary firefighting equipment, and meeting fire and rescue units.
Fire equipment board
A designated place containing primary firefighting equipment and tools for rapid response.
Fire extinguisher
Primary firefighting equipment used to contain or extinguish a fire at an early stage.
Fire resistance
The ability of a building structure to retain its load-bearing capacity, integrity, and thermal insulation function for a specified time under fire conditions.
Fire safety
The state of protection of people, property, and territories from fire, together with measures to prevent fires and reduce their consequences.
Fire safety audit
An examination of whether a facility complies with fire and technogenic safety requirements, including the condition of fire protection equipment, documentation, evacuation plans, and personnel awareness.
Fire safety briefing
Instruction of employees on fire safety requirements, the fire safety regime, evacuation, and the use of primary firefighting equipment.
Fire safety documentation
A set of enterprise fire protection documents, including fire safety instructions, evacuation plans, fire extinguisher registers, inspection reports, and the SESU declaration.
Fire safety instruction
A local document establishing fire safety requirements for a facility, room, type of work, or category of employees.
Fire safety regime
Rules established at a facility for conduct, maintenance of premises, storage of materials, use of equipment, and actions intended to prevent fires.
Fire safety training
Training employees in fire safety rules, the use of primary firefighting equipment, actions in the event of fire, and evacuation procedures.
First aid
Urgent actions taken before medical professionals arrive: stopping exposure to the hazardous factor, assessing the casualty, calling for help, and providing basic life support.
First-aid kit
A stocked set of medical supplies and materials for providing first aid; it is placed in an accessible location based on the nature of the work, existing risks, and applicable requirements, and is regularly checked fo…
Flammable liquids
Liquids with a low flash point, including gasoline, solvents, and alcohols; they require special storage conditions, ventilation, control of ignition sources, and equipment grounding where necessary.
Forklift
A powered industrial vehicle used to lift and move loads; its operation must be supported by briefings, inspections, and records.
Forklift truck
A self-propelled industrial truck used to move, lift, and stack loads; its operation requires designated responsible persons, trained employees, and proper maintenance.
Gas cylinder
A vessel for storing or transporting gas under pressure; safe use requires condition checks, protection from heat, and compliance with handling requirements.
Gas service
An organizational unit or designated function responsible for the safe operation of gas facilities and gas-consuming equipment.
Hand tool
A tool without a powered drive, or with a simple drive, that must be serviceable, suitable for the task, and used without damaged handles or working parts.
Harmful occupational factor
A factor whose effect may cause an occupational disease, reduced working capacity, or an adverse effect on an employee’s health.
Hazard identification
The process of identifying and describing all potential sources of harm in the workplace; the first stage of occupational risk assessment.
Hazard zone
An area in which an employee may be injured or otherwise harmed by moving equipment, falling objects, electricity, fire, or other factors.
Hazardous occupational factor
A factor of the work environment or work process whose effect may cause injury, acute deterioration of health, or death.
High-risk mechanism
Equipment or a device whose operation creates an increased risk of injury or accident and requires special controls.
High-risk work
Work that, due to the nature of the process, equipment, or environment, requires special training, control, protective equipment, and, in specified cases, special authorization or a permit-to-work.
Induction briefing
An initial briefing for employees and other persons before they begin work or enter the enterprise’s premises, covering general safety requirements.
Initial briefing
A briefing delivered directly at the workplace before work begins to a newly hired or transferred employee, and before an employee performs new work, in the cases specified by regulatory requirements.
Installation work
Work involving the assembly, installation, and fastening of structures, equipment, or utilities.
Instruction register
A record of occupational safety or fire safety instructions that have been developed, approved, reviewed, and issued.
Internal fire hose reel
A fixed firefighting device inside a building consisting of a valve, hose, nozzle, and cabinet or other housing.
Internship
Practical training of an employee under the supervision of an experienced person before authorization for independent work.
Investigation of occupational accidents
A legally established procedure for determining the circumstances and causes of an accident, deciding whether it is work-related, and developing preventive measures.
Jack
A device for lifting loads or parts of equipment; it may be used only on a stable base and within its rated capacity.
Knowledge assessment
An assessment of employees’ knowledge of occupational safety and health, fire safety, electrical safety, or the safe operation of equipment.
Knowledge assessment committee
A group appointed by order to organize and document the assessment of employees’ knowledge of occupational safety and health or electrical safety.
Ladder
Portable access equipment for reaching a height; it must be serviceable, stable, tested, and used with due regard to fall risk.
Lathe
A machine tool that processes workpieces by rotation; risks involve rotating parts, swarf, workpiece clamping, and tool use.
Lifting crane
A mechanism for lifting and moving loads whose operation requires a responsible person, inspections, records, and compliance with safety rules.
Lightning protection
A set of technical devices, including air terminals, down conductors, and earth electrodes, that protects buildings and structures from direct lightning strikes and secondary effects.
List of high-risk work
A list approved at the enterprise of work requiring special training, authorization, control, or additional safety measures.
Load
An item, material, or product moved manually or by mechanisms, forklifts, cranes, or other means.
Load-handling attachment
Slings, spreader beams, grabs, and other devices used to hold a load while it is being lifted or moved.
Maintenance
Work performed to keep equipment, systems, or devices in a serviceable and safe condition.
Maximum permissible concentration (MPC)
The maximum concentration of a harmful substance in workplace air that, under daily exposure throughout a working life, does not cause disease or adverse health effects.
Medical examination
A pre-employment or periodic examination of employees in specified categories to determine fitness for work and identify contraindications.
Milling machine
A machine tool that processes material with a milling cutter and requires correct workpiece clamping, guards, serviceable tooling, and compliance with operating parameters.
Mini fuel station
A facility or equipment for storing and dispensing small quantities of fuel; it requires fire safety controls, ventilation, and grounding.
Occupational accident
An event involving an employee in circumstances connected with the performance of work duties and resulting in injury or death.
Occupational accident investigation report
An official Form N-1 document in which the commission records information about the circumstances and causes of an accident, its conclusion on whether the accident was work-related, and measures to prevent similar inc…
Occupational hygiene
A branch of preventive medicine that studies how the working environment and work process affect employees’ health and develops hygiene standards.
Occupational injury rate
The totality of occupational accidents over a specified period, analyzed to identify causes and develop preventive occupational safety and health measures.
Occupational safety and health
A system of legal, socioeconomic, organizational, technical, sanitary and hygienic, and medical and preventive measures aimed at preserving employees’ life and health during work, as defined in Article 1 of the Law of…
Occupational safety and health at an enterprise
The practical organization of safety measures at a particular enterprise, including assigning responsibilities, developing documentation, conducting briefings and training, certifying workplaces, and monitoring workin…
Occupational safety and health audit
An independent, systematic examination of whether occupational safety and health at an enterprise complies with legislation, regulations, and internal documents.
Occupational safety and health briefing
A training procedure in which an employee is instructed on safe work requirements and actions in normal and emergency situations.
Occupational safety and health documents
The set of mandatory regulatory and internal enterprise documents, including regulations, instructions, briefing programs, logbooks, orders, knowledge assessment records, and reports, needed to organize the occupation…
Occupational safety and health instruction
A local document establishing safety requirements before, during, and after work and in emergencies.
Occupational safety and health management system (OSHMS)
A set of policies, procedures, responsibilities, planning, controls, and documents through which an enterprise organizes occupational safety and health.
Occupational safety and health outsourcing
The transfer of occupational safety and health organization and administration functions to an external specialist company.
Occupational safety and health regulation (NPAOP)
An official regulation establishing occupational safety and health rules, standards, or requirements for particular work, equipment, or fields of activity.
Occupational safety and health service
An enterprise unit or designated function that organizes, coordinates, and monitors compliance with occupational safety and health requirements.
Occupational safety and health training
An organized process through which employees acquire occupational safety and health knowledge and skills.
Operational control
A periodic check of occupational safety and health conditions at workplaces to identify violations and determine corrective measures.
Penalty for violation of occupational safety and health requirements
A financial sanction that may be imposed on an employer or official for violating occupational safety and health legislation in the cases and according to the procedure established by law.
Permit for high-risk work
A document authorizing an employer to perform high-risk work specified by law or operate the relevant high-risk machines, mechanisms, and equipment.
Permit-to-work
A written authorization for high-risk work specifying the location, conditions, work team, safety measures, and responsible persons.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Protective clothing, footwear, gloves, goggles, helmets, respirators, and other equipment worn or used personally by an employee to protect against harmful and hazardous occupational factors.
Plasma cutter
Equipment for cutting materials with a plasma arc; the main risks are electricity, high temperature, radiation, fumes, and fire.
Pneumatic tool
A hand-held tool powered by compressed air that requires serviceable hoses and connections, pressure within allowable limits, and protective equipment.
Power tool
A hand-held or portable electrically powered tool that requires inspection, intact insulation, protective devices, and a safe electrical connection.
Pressure vessel
A vessel or apparatus operating under excess pressure that requires technical condition monitoring, a responsible person, and safe operation.
Primary firefighting equipment
Fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, sand, fire blankets, fire equipment, and other means used to extinguish a fire at an early stage.
Protective clothing
Clothing intended to protect an employee from industrial contamination and mechanical, thermal, chemical, or other hazards.
Protective equipment
Devices, equipment, or systems that protect employees against hazardous and harmful factors.
Public oversight of occupational safety and health
Activities of employee-elected representatives and trade unions to monitor compliance with occupational safety and health requirements at an enterprise.
Refresher briefing
Periodic renewed instruction of employees in occupational safety and health requirements to maintain the necessary level of knowledge and skills.
Register
A document used to systematically record equipment, instructions, inspections, accidents, protective equipment, or other events and actions.
Responsible person
An employee appointed by order to organize, supervise, or administer a particular area, such as occupational safety, fire safety, electrical installations, cranes, racking, or forklifts.
Rigging equipment
Slings, ropes, chains, hooks, spreader beams, and other equipment used to move or hold loads.
Risk (in occupational safety and health)
A combination of the likelihood of a hazardous event and the severity of its potential consequences for an employee’s health or life.
Risk analysis
A systematic process of examining information about hazards to determine sources of risk, their likelihood, and their potential consequences in the workplace.
Risk assessment
The process of identifying hazards and analyzing and evaluating associated workplace risks in order to determine control measures.
Risk management
The process of making decisions and implementing measures to reduce workplace risks to an acceptable level: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE—the hierarchy of controls.
Safe operation
The use of equipment, tools, premises, or systems only when they are serviceable, used for their intended purpose, and operated in accordance with established requirements.
Safe work methods
Work techniques that reduce or eliminate the risk of injury, fire, accident, or exposure to harmful factors.
Safety signs
Colored graphic symbols—prohibition, warning, mandatory, or information signs—that indicate hazards, required conduct, protective equipment, or evacuation routes.
Sliding table saw
A machine tool for cutting sheet materials; the main risks involve the cutting tool, dust, material feeding, and protective devices.
Slinging operations
Work involving attaching, securing, lifting, and moving loads using slings and other load-handling attachments.
State Labour Service inspections
State supervision and control measures conducted by the State Labour Service of Ukraine and its territorial bodies within their powers and according to the procedure established by law.
State Labour Service of Ukraine
The central executive authority that implements state policy and exercises state supervision and control in areas within its powers, including labor law, occupational safety and health, industrial safety, and mining s…
Stepladder
A portable self-supporting ladder used only when serviceable, on a level base, and in compliance with work-at-height requirements.
Storage rack
A structure for storing loads or materials; it must be serviceable, marked with its allowable load, and inspected periodically.
Task-specific briefing
A briefing before one-off, hazardous, emergency, or non-routine work, including work performed under a permit-to-work.
Test report
A document recording the fact, conditions, results, and conclusion of an inspection or test of equipment, ladders, protective equipment, or other devices.
Testing of ladders and stepladders
A periodic check of the strength and serviceability of ladders and stepladders, with the results recorded in the relevant document.
Tire fitting work
Removal, installation, and servicing of tires, for which equipment condition, pressure control, and protection against mechanical injury are important.
Tool grinder
A machine tool used to sharpen tools; the main risks involve the rotating wheel, flying particles, dust, and incorrectly installed guards or screens.
Ventilation
An air-exchange system that removes contaminated air, heat, vapors, or dust and helps maintain safe indoor conditions.
Warehouse
A room used to store materials or goods where storage order, clear aisles, serviceable racking, and compliance with fire safety requirements are important.
Work at height
Work involving a risk of an employee falling from height; it requires serviceable access equipment, fall protection, and additional safety measures.
Work equipment
Machines, machine tools, mechanisms, tools, and installations used in a production process that must be maintained in serviceable condition.
Working conditions
The combination of factors in the working environment and work process that affect an employee’s health, working capacity, and safety, including noise, vibration, lighting, microclimate, chemicals, and physical workload.
Workplace
An area in which an employee performs work and where safe conditions, serviceable equipment, good order, and access to protective equipment must be ensured.
Workplace certification
A comprehensive assessment of working conditions at each workplace to identify harmful and hazardous factors, determine benefits and compensation, and develop measures to improve working conditions.
Workplace microclimate
The combination of air-environment parameters—temperature, humidity, air velocity, and thermal radiation—that affect heat exchange in an employee’s body.