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

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 (US)

AIChE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers

AIH – Academy of Industrial Hygiene

AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association

AIHce – American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition

AIIS – Association des Infirmières en Info-Santé (Quebec)

AIOAD – An Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (Quebec)

ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable

ALRB – Alberta Labour Relations Board

AMSSTQ – Association des médecins spécialistes en santé communautaire du Québec

ANSI – American National Standards Institute

AOHC – American Occupational Health Conference

AOHNA – Alberta Occupational Health Nurses Association

AOHS – An Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety (Quebec)

APF – Assigned Protection Factor (for respirators)

APSAM – Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur affaires municipales

APSM – Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail du secteur minier

APSSAP – Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur « Administration provinciale »

APST – Association des professionnels en santé du travail (Quebec)

AQHSST – Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail (Quebec)

ASFETM – Association sectorielle Fabrication d'équipement de transport et de machine (Quebec)

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

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

ASP – Association sectorielles paritaires

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]

ASSE – American Society of Safety Engineers

ASSIFQ / ASSPPQ – Associations de santé et sécurité des pâtes et papiers et des industries de la forêt du Québec

ASSTSAS – Association pour la santé et la sécurité du travail, secteur affaires sociales (Quebec)

ASTE – The former Association sectorielle paritaire, secteur du transport et de l'entreposage [Now part of ViaPrévention]

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 (US)

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)

BNQ – Bureau 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

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

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

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)

CESARS – Chemical Evaluation Search and Retrieval System

CEC – Canadian Electrical Code

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)

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 (US)

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

CINBIOSE – Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le bien-être, la santé, la société et l'environnement (Quebec)

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] (Quebec)

CMOH – Chief Medical Officer of Health (Ontario)

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

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

COR – Certificate of Recognition

COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (UK)

COSS – Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (US)

CPE – Certified Professional Ergonomist (US)

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]

CPSSTQ – Centre 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

CRT – The former Commission des relations du travail (Quebec) [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

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] (Quebec)

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]

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)]

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

EC – Commission of the European Union

ECETOC – European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals

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

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)

FID – Flame Ionization Detector

FM – Factory Mutual

FMEA – Failure Mode and Effect Analysis

FMECA – Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis

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

GHS – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

GC – Gas Chromatography

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)

HMIRC – Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission

HMTA – Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (USA)

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)

HSI – Health & Safety Institute

HSO – Health & Safety Officer

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

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)

IPCS – International Programme on Chemical Safety

IRS – Internal Responsibility System

IRSST – Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (Quebec)

ISEA – International Safety Equipment Association

ISHM – Institute for Health and Safety Management (USA)

ISO – International Organization for Standardization

ISR – Injury Severity Rate

IWAM – Injured Workers' Association of Manitoba

IWH – Institute for Work & Health (Ontario)

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

LOAEL – Lowest Observed Adverse–effect Level

LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

LSO – Laser Safety Officer

LTD – Long–term disability

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 – Ministry of Labour (Ontario)

MSD – Musculoskeletal Disorders

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration (USA)

MSI – Musculoskeletal Injuries

NAALC – North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation

NAOSH – North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

NBFSA – New Brunswick Forest Safety Association

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)

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

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)]

PHA – Process Hazards Analysis

PHSA – Provincial Health Services Authority (BC)

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

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

REL – Recommended Exposure Limit

RMI – Repetitive Motion Injury [See also WMSDS]

ROH – Registered Occupational Hygienist

ROHS – Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (Quebec)

ROHT – Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist

ROPS – Rollover Protection Structures

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

RRQWE – Regulation respecting the quality of the work environment (Quebec)

RRSSTQ – Réseau 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

RTECS – Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

RTK – Right to Know [Droit à l'information]

RTW – Return to Work [Retour au travail]

RUSA – Rural Utilities and Safety Association (Alberta)

SAR – Supplied Air Respirator

SARA – Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (USA)

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

SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

SCC – Safety Codes Council (Alberta)

SCC – Standards Council of Canada

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)

SLM – Sound Level Meter

SMS – Safety Management System

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)

TAT – Tribunal administratif du travail (Quebec)

TB – Tuberculosis

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

TOXEN – Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology – UQAM (Quebec)

TQM – Total Quality Management

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

ULC – Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada

UV – Ultraviolet Radiation

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

VPP – Voluntary Protection Program (USA)

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]

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

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 (N-S)

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

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