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Acronyms

This list is not inclusive or extensive. You may be aware of other acronyms or organizations. We have mentioned these organizations as a means of providing a potentially useful referral. You should contact the organization(s) directly for more information about their services. Please note that mention of these organizations does not represent a recommendation or endorsement by CCOHS of these organizations over others of which you may be aware.

AA – Atomic Absorption [Absorption of electromagnetic radiation at discrete wavelengths by atoms]

AAHP – American Academy of Health Physics

AAOHN – American Association of Occupational Health Nurses

AAS – Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

ABHR – Alcohol-Based Hand Rub

ABIH – American Board of Industrial Hygiene

ABSA – Alberta Boilers Safety Association

ABSA – American Biological Safety Association

ACE – Association of Canadian Ergonomists

ACGIH – American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

ACOEM – American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

ACS – American Chemical Society

ACSA – Alberta Construction Safety Association

AED – Automated External Defibrillator

AEUSP – Association of Electrical Utilities Safety Professionals

AHFP – Associate Human Factors Professional (USA)

AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction

AIChE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers

AIH – Academy of Industrial Hygiene

AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association

AIHce – American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition

AIISAssociation des Infirmières en Info-Santé (Québec)

AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

AIOADAn Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (Québec)

ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable

ALRB – Alberta Labour Relations Board

AMSSTQAssociation des médecins spécialistes en santé communautaire du Québec

ANSI – American National Standards Institute

AOHC – American Occupational Health Conference

AOHNA – Alberta Occupational Health Nurses Association

AOHSAn Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety (Québec)

APF – Assigned Protection Factor (for respirators)

APSAMAssociation paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur affaires municipales

APSMAssociation paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail du secteur minier

APSSAPAssociation paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur « Administration provinciale »

APSTAssociation des professionnels en santé du travail (Québec)

AQHSSTAssociation québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail (Québec)

AQMS – Air Quality Management System

ARI – Acute Respiratory Infection

ASFETMAssociation sectorielle Fabrication d'équipement de transport et de machine (Québec)

ASHCAT – Association of Safety & Health Consultants and Trainers Inc.

ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

ASPAssociation sectorielles paritaires (Québec)

ASPHME – The former Association sectorielle paritaire du secteur de la fabrication de produits en métal, la fabrication de produits électriques et des industries de l'habillement [Now part of MultiPrévention] (Québec)

ASSE – American Society of Safety Engineers

ASSIFQ / ASSPPQAssociations de santé et sécurité des pâtes et papiers et des industries de la forêt du Québec

ASSTSASAssociation pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur affaires sociales (Québec)

ASTEThe former Association sectorielle paritaire, secteur du transport et de l'entreposage [Now part of ViaPrévention] (Québec)

ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

ATSDR – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [An agency of the Public Health Service in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

AVC – Assurance of Voluntary Compliance

AWCBC – Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada

AWHC – Alberta Workers' Health Centre

BCACS – BC Association for Crane Safety

BCCSA – BC Construction Safety Alliance

BCFSC – British Columbia Forest Safety Council

BCMSA – British Columbia Municipal Safety Association

BCPE – Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (USA)

BCRSP – Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

BCSA – British Columbia Safety Authority

BCSP – Board of Certified Safety Professionals (USA)

BEI – Biological Exposure Index

BLS – Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA)

BNQBureau de normalisation du Québec

BOHS – British Occupational Hygiene Society (UK)

BS – British Standard

BSC – British Safety Council

BSI – British Standards Institute

BTU – British Thermal Unit [A traditional unit of measure for heat]

CAALL – Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation

CACES - Committee Advisory Council on Electrical Safety

CADTH – Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

CAFC – Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

CAISP – Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program

CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Ontario)

CANUTEC – Canadian Transport Emergency Centre

CAP – College of American Pathologists

CAPA – Corrective Action and Preventative Action

CARSP – Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals

CARWH – Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health

CAS – Chemical Abstracts Service (USA)

CASA – Canadian Agricultural Safety Association

CBOM – Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine

CBRN – Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear

CCOH – Canadian Council of Occupational Hygiene

CCOHS – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

CCPA – The former Canadian Chemical Producers Association [Now CIAC]

CCPS – Center for Chemical Process Safety (USA)

CCSA – Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)

CDI Clostridium difficile Infection

CESARS – Chemical Evaluation Search and Retrieval System

CEC or CE Code – Canadian Electrical Code [also known as CSA Standard C22]

CEPA – Canadian Environmental Protection Act

CERCLA – Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [Also known as Superfund] (USA)

CESQG – Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator

CET – Certified Environmental, Safety and Health Trainer [A credential issued by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards] (USA)

CEV – Ceiling Exposure Value

CFC – Chlorofluorocarbons

CFIA – Canadian Food Inspection Agency

CFIB – Canadian Federation of Independent Business

CFM – Cubic Feet Per Minute [A unit of measure of air flow which is used in evaluating ventilation systems]

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations (USA)

CGA – Compressed Gas Association (USA)

CGSB – Canadian General Standards Board

CHEMTREC – Chemical Transportation Emergency Center [Provides hazard information warnings and guidance in emergency (and ONLY emergency) situations]

CHFP – Certified Human Factors Professional (USA)

CHMM – Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (USA)

CHO – Chemical Hygiene Officer

CHP – Chemical Hygiene Plan Required by OSHA (USA)

CHP – Certified Health Physicist

CHRIS – Chemical Hazards Response Information System

CHSC – Certified Health and Safety Consultant

CHSEP – Certificate in Health, Safety and Environmental Processes

CHSI – Centre for Health and Safety Innovation

CHSO – Construction Health and Safety Officer

CHST – Construction Health and Safety Technician (USA)

CIAC – Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

CIH – Certified Industrial Hygienist

CIHI – Canadian Institute for Health Information

CINBIOSECentre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le bien-être, la santé, la société et l'environnement (Québec)

CIS – International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre; also known as International Occupational Safety and Health Knowledge Network

CIWA – Canadian Injured Workers Alliance

CLC – Canada Labour Code

CLP – The former Commission des lésions professionnelles [Now part of TAT] (Québec)

CMOH – Chief Medical Officer of Health (Ontario)

CNESST – Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (Québec)

CNS – Central Nervous System

CNSC – Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

CO – Carbon Monoxide

COAA – Construction Owners Association of Alberta

COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand [Oxygen demand if a water sample is chemically oxidized]

COHN(C) – Certified Occupational Health Nurse (Canada)

COHNA – Canadian Occupational Health Nurses Association

COHS - Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COR – Certificate of Recognition

COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (UK)

COSS – Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (US)

COVID-19 – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. 19 for the virus first being identified in 2019.)

CPE – Certified Professional Ergonomist (USA)

CPR – The former Controlled Products Regulations (Canada) [Now see Hazardous Product Regulations]

CPSC – Consumer Products Safety Commission (USA)

CPSC – The former Canadian Petroleum Safety Council [now part of ENFORM]

CPSSTQCentre patronal de santé et sécurité du travail du Québec

CPWR – Center to Protect Workers' Rights / The Center for Construction Research and Training (USA)

CRBOH – Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists

CRE-MSD – Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (Ontario)

CRPA – Canadian Radiation Protection Association

CRSP – Canadian Registered Safety Professional

CRTThe former Commission des relations du travail (Québec) [Now part of TAT]

CSA – Canadian Standards Association [former name of organization - now CSA Group]

CSABC – Construction Safety Association of British Columbia [Now part of the BCCSA]

CSAM – Construction Safety Association of Manitoba

CSAO – Construction Safety Association of Ontario [Now part of the IHSA]

CSASI – Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators

CSB – U.S. Chemical Safety Board (USA)

CSC – Canada Safety Council

CSHM – Certified Safety and Health Managers (USA)

CSO – Construction Safety Officer

CSP – Certified Safety Professional

CSS – Construction Safety Specialist (BC)

CSSE – Canadian Society of Safety Engineering

CSST – The former Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail [Now part of the CNESST] (Québec)

CTD – Cumulative Trauma Disorder

CSS – Construction Safety Specialist (BC)

CTS – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

CWA – Clean Water Act (USA)

dB – Decibels [Unit to measure sound intensity of noise] May be followed by (A) or (C) which represents A or C-weighting corrected value.

DFM – Dust, Fume, and Mist [This abbreviation refers to a respirator filter cartridge suitable for use against dusts, fumes or mists, and is used in the NIOSH regulation on Respirator Certification.]

DIERS – Design Institute for Emergency Relief Systems [A consortium of companies under the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)]

DIN – Drug Identification Number (Health Canada)

DIPPR – Design Institute of Physical Property Data [A consortium of companies under the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)]

DM – Dust and Mist [This abbreviation refers to a respirator filter cartridge suitable for use against dusts and mists, and is used in the NIOSH regulation on Respirator Certification.]

DOHS – Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

DOL – Department of Labor (USA)

DOT – Department of Transportation (USA)

DSL – Domestic Substances List

EAC – Employers' Advocacy Council (Ontario)

EAP – Employee Assistance Program

EBA – Escape Breathing Apparatus

EC – Commission of the European Union

ECDC – European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

ECETOC – European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals

ECCC – Environment and Climate Change Canada

EHCs – Environmental Health Criteria Monographs

EHS – Environment, Health and Safety; or Environmental Health and Safety

ELF – Extremely Low Frequency

EMF – Electric and Magnetic Fields

ENFORM – The Safety Association for Canada's Upstream Oil and Gas Industry

EOC – Emergency Operations Centre

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency (USA)

EPCRA – Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act Title III of SARA (USA)

ERG – Emergency Response Guide [Used in the US Department of Transportation Requirements]

ERP – Emergency Response Plan

ERPG – Emergency Response Planning Guideline

ESA – Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario)

ESAO – The former Education Safety Association of Ontario [Now part of the PSHSA]

ESDC – Employment and Social Development Canada

ESL – End of Service Life (an indicator attached to a respirator cartridge)

EU – European Union

EUROTOX – Association of European Toxicologist and Societies of Toxicology

EUSA – The former Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (Ontario) [Now part of the IHSA]

FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FARSHA – Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association (BC)

FDA – Food and Drug Administration (USA)

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency (USA)

FF – Fit Factor (quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual)

FID – Flame Ionization Detector

FIFR – Fatal Injury Rate

FM – Factory Mutual

FMEA – Failure Mode and Effect Analysis

FMECA – Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis

FOOSH – Fall on Outstretched Hand

FSA– The former Farm Safety Association [Now part of the WSPS]

FSANL – Forestry Safety Association of Newfoundland

FSSNS – Forest Safety Society of Nova Scotia

FTA – Fault Tree Analysis

FWCS – Federal Workers' Compensation Service

GC – Gas Chromatography

GHG – Greenhouse Gas

GHS – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

HAZMAT – Hazardous Material

HAZOP – Hazard and Operability (Study) [A structured means of evaluating a complex process to find problems associated with operability or safety of the process]

HAZWOPER – Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response [A term derived from US EPA Regulations]

HCS – Hazard Communication Standard Policy (USA)

HEPA – High Efficiency Particulate Air filter [At least 99.97% efficient in the filtration of air borne particles 0.3 microns in diameter or greater]

HFES – Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA)

HHS – Department of Health and Human Services (USA)

HHR – Highest Hazard Ratio

HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HMIRC – Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission

HMTA – Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (USA)

HLPP – Hearing Loss Prevention Program

HPA – Hazardous Products Act

HPD – Hearing Protective Device

HPLC – High Performance Liquid Chromatography

HPR – Hazardous Products Regulations

HRSDC – The former Human Resources and Skills Development Canada [Now Employment and Social Development Canada]

HSCSA – Health and Safety Conference Society of Alberta

HSDB – Hazardous Substances Data Bank

HSE – Health and Safety Executive (UK)

HSEE – Health, Safety, Environment, and Energy

HSI – Health and Safety Institute

HSO – Health and Safety Officer

HSV – Herpes Simplex Virus

HVAC – Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

IAPA – The former Industrial Accident Prevention Association of Ontario [Now part of the WSPS]

IAQ – Indoor Air Quality

IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer

IAVGO – Industrial Accident Victims Group of Ontario

ICCT – International Council on Clean Transportation

ICOH – International Commission on Occupational Health

ICSC – International Chemical Safety Cards

IDLH – Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health

IH – Industrial Hygiene or Hygienist

IHIT – Industrial Hygienist in Training

IHSA – Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (Ontario)

ILO – International Labor Organization

INRS – National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Disease (France)

IOHA – International Occupational Hygiene Association

IOM – Institute for Occupational Medicine (UK)

IOSH – Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (UK)

IPAC Or IPAC Canada – Infection Prevention and Control

IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

IPCS – International Programme on Chemical Safety

IRS – Internal Responsibility System

IRSSTInstitut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (Québec)

ISEA – International Safety Equipment Association

ISHM – Institute for Health and Safety Management (USA)

ISHR – Industry Safety and Health Representative

ISO – International Organization for Standardization

ISR – Injury Severity Rate

IWAM – Injured Workers' Association of Manitoba

IWH – Institute for Work & Health (Ontario)

JDA – Job Demands Analysis

JHA – Job Hazard Analysis

JHSC – Joint Health and Safety Committee

JOHSC – Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee

JSA – Job Safety Analysis

LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation 

LC50 or LC50 – Lethal Concentration [The concentration in air which is lethal to 50% of the test animals in a study. A convenient point of comparison between toxic materials with similar effects or target organs.]

LD50 or LD50 – Lethal Dose [The experimental dose which is lethal to 50% of the test animals in a study. A convenient point of comparison between toxic materials with similar effects or target organs.]

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

LEL – Lower Explosive Limit

LEV – Local Exhaust Ventilation

LFFV – Loose-Fitting Facepiece/Visor

LOAEL – Lowest Observed Adverse–effect Level

LOTO – Lock Out Tag Out

LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

LSO – Laser Safety Officer

LTD – Long–term disability

LTFR – Lost Time Frequency Rate

LTI – Lost Time Injury

MAMI – Mining Association of Manitoba Inc

MASHA – The former Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association (Ontario) [Now part of the WSN]

MHSA – The former Municipal Health and Safety Association (Ontario) [Now part of the PSHSA]

MHSA – Manufacturers' Health & Safety Association (Alberta)

MOE – Ministry of the Environment (Ontario)

MOL – Common name for Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development  (Ontario)

MOLITSD - Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (Ontario)

MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

MSC – Meteorological Service of Canada

MSD – Musculoskeletal Disorders

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet. Now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration (USA)

MSI – Musculoskeletal Injuries

MTI – Medically Treated Incident

N95 - Filter rating for respirators (95 percent efficient and not for use in oil atmospheres)

NAALC – North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation

NAOSH – North American Occupational Safety and Health

NRCan – National Resources Canada

NBFSA – New Brunswick Forest Safety Association

NCCID – National Collaborating Centre for Infection Diseases

NCEOE – National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures

ND – Non Detectable

NDSL – Non-Domestic Substances List

NDT – Non Destructive Testing

NEER – New Experimental Experience Rating Program (ON)

NFC – National Fire Code

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association (USA)

NIDMAR – National Institute of Disability Management and Research

NIH – National Institutes of Health (USA)

NIHL – Noise Induced Hearing Loss

NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (USA)

NJC – National Joint Council

NLCSA – Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association

NOAEL – No Observed Adverse Effect Level

NORA – National Occupational Research Agenda (USA)

NORM – Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material  

NSC – National Safety Council (USA)

NSCA – Nuclear Safety and Control Act

NSCSA – Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association

NSNY – Northern Safety Network Yukon

NTP – National Toxicology Program (USA)

NWISP – National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program

OA – Occupational Asthma

OAFC – Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

OBA – Octave Band Analyzer

OEA – Office of the Employer Adviser (Ontario and in general)

OECD – Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OEHF – Occupational & Environmental Health Foundation (USA)

OEL – Occupational Exposure Limit

OEMAC – Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada

OFAAA – Occupational First Aid Attendants Association of British Columbia

OFSWA – The former Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association [Now part of the WSN]

OH – Occupational Hygiene or Hygienist

OHAO – Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario

OHCOW – Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

OHRC – Ontario Human Rights Commission

OHS – Occupational Health and Safety

OHSA – Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario)

OHST – Occupational Health and Safety Technologist

OHSAH – Occupational Health & Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia

OHSMS – Occupational Health and Safety Management System

OOHNA – Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association

OSACH – The former Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare [Now part of the PSHSA]

OSH – Occupational Safety and Health

OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (USA)

OSL – Ontario Safety League

OSSA – The former Ontario Service Safety Alliance (Ontario) [Now part of the WSPS]

OSSA – Oil Sands Safety Association (Alberta)

OWA – Office of the Worker Advisor

PAPR – Powered Air-purifying Respirator

PCB – Polychlorinated biphenyls

PDA – Physical Demands Analysis

PEL – Permissible Exposure Limit [The maximum occupational exposure permitted under the OSHA regulations (USA)]

pH – Potential of Hydrogen [Measure of acidity of a solution]

PHA – Process Hazards Analysis

PHAC – Public Health Agency of Canada

PHSA – Provincial Health Services Authority (BC)

PHO – Public Health Ontario

PHP – Personal Hearing Protection

PHU – Public Health Unit

PID – Photo Ionization Detector

PIR – Partners in Injury Reduction (Alberta)

PMRA – Pest Management Regulatory Agency

PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

PPHSA – The former Pulp & Paper Health and Safety Association (Ontario) [Now part of the WSN]

ppm – Parts Per Million

PSC – Petroleum Safety Conference

PSHSA – Public Services Health and Safety Association (Ontario)

PTS – Permanent Threshold Shift

QA/QC – Quality Assurance / Quality Control

QLFT – Qualitative Fit Test (for respirators)

QNFT – Quantitative Fit Test (for respirators)

QRS – Quantitative Risk Assessment

RCA – Root Cause Analysis

REACH – Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (EU)

REL – Recommended Exposure Limit

RMI – Repetitive Motion Injury [See also WMSDS]

ROH – Registered Occupational Hygienist

ROHSRegulation respecting occupational health and safety (Québec)

ROHT – Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist

ROPS – Rollover Protection Structures

RoSPA – Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (UK)

RRQWERegulation respecting the quality of the work environment (Québec)

RRSSTQRéseau de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec

RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury

RSIC – Radiation Safety Institute of Canada

RSO – Radiation Safety Officer

RSV – Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RTECS – Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

RTK – Right to Know

RTW – Return to Work

RUSA – Rural Utilities and Safety Association (Alberta)

SAFER – Safety Advisory Foundation for Education and Research (BC)

SAR – Supplied Air Respirator

SARA – Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (USA)

SARS – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

SCC – Safety Codes Council (Alberta)

SCC – Standards Council of Canada

SDS – Safety Data Sheet

SECOR – Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (Alberta)

SHAPE – The former Safety & Health in Arts Production & Entertainment (BC) [Now part of Actsafe]

SHARP – Safety and Health Achievement Program (USA)

SHMP – Safety and Health Management Plan

SHMS - Safety and Health Management System

SLCPs – Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

SHE – Safety, Health, and Environment

SLM – Sound Level Meter

SMP – Safety Management Plan

SMS – Safety Management System

SPCC - Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

SRL – Self-Retracting Lifeline

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

SSC – Saskatchewan Safety Council

SSM – Safety Services Manitoba

SSNB – Safety Services New Brunswick

SSNL – Safety Services Newfoundland and Labrador

STD – Short–Term Disability

STEL – Short-Term Exposure Limit

SWA – Safe Work Associations (in Ontario)

SWPF – Simulated Workplace Protection Factor

TAT –Tribunal Administratif du Travail (Québec)

TB – Tuberculosis

TC – Transport Canada

TDG – Transportation of Dangerous Goods

TENORM – Technically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

THSAO – The former Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario [Now part of the IHSA]

TLV – Threshold Limit Value

TOXENResearch Centre for Environmental Toxicology – UQAM (Quebec)

TQM – Total Quality Management

TRIF – Total Recordable Incident Frequency

TRIR – Total Recordable Incident Rate

TSB – Transportation Safety Board of Canada

TSCA – Toxic Substances Control Act (USA)

TSSA – Technical Standards & Safety Authority (Ontario)

TTS – Temporary Threshold Shift

TWA – Time–weighted Average

UL/ULC – Underwriters’ Laboratories / Underwriters’ Laboratories Canada

UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UV – Ultraviolet Radiation

VDT – Video Display Terminal [Sometimes called Video Display Unit (VDU)]

VFSS – Vehicle Fire Suppression System

VOC – Volatile Organic Compound

VPP – Voluntary Protection Program (USA)

WAH – Working at Heights

WBGT – Wet Bulb Globe Temperature

WCAT – Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal

WCB – Workers Compensation Board (in general)

WCB Alberta – Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta

WCB–BC – The former Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia [now WorkSafe BC]

WEEL – Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit

WHMIS – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

WHO – World Health Organization

WHSC – Workers' Health and Safety Centre (Ontario)

WHSCC New Brunswick – The Former Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission [Now WorkSafeNB]

WHSCC Newfoundland and Labrador – Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission [Also known as Workplace NL]

WMSDS – Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

WPF – Workplace Protection Factor

WSIA – Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (Ontario)

WSIAT – Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (Ontario)

WSIB – Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

WSIS – Workplace Safety and Insurance System (Nova Scotia)

WSN – Workplace Safety North (Ontario)

WSO – World Safety Organization

WSPS – Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (Ontario)

YCSA – Yukon Construction Safety Association

YWAP – Young Worker Awareness Program

YWCHSB – Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board

ZAP – Zero Accident Program


  • Fact sheet confirmed current: 2022-08-12
  • Fact sheet last revised: 2022-08-12