Key Terms and Definitions
Found within the aforementioned standards and others related works are a number of important terms and definitions related to the practice of hazard analysis, risk assessments, and risk management. The following are selected risk‐related terms and how they are defined in their context. Many of the definitions are taken from referenced standards, which in some cases have multiple variations. These variations have been provided to illustrate subtle differences and similarities for certain terms used in the standards.
Acceptable Risk:
The risk level that is considered as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) by the organization and acceptable in its current context. This level of risk is generally lowered as the organization matures and the control technologies improve. (Authors)
That risk for which the probability of an incident or exposure occurring and the severity of harm or damage that may result are ALARP in the setting being considered. (ANSI/ASSP Z590.3‐2011(R2016))
A risk level achieved after risk reduction measures have been applied. It is a risk level that is accepted for a given task (hazardous situation) or hazard. For the purpose of this standard, the terms – acceptable risk and – tolerable risk are considered to be synonymous. (ANSI B11.0‐2020)
Risk that the appropriate acceptance authority (as defined in DoDI 5000.02) is willing to accept without additional mitigation. (MIL‐STD‐882E‐2012)
As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA):
ALARA is an acronym for “as low as (is) reasonably achievable,” which means making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to ionizing radiation as far below the dose limits as practical, consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken, taking into account the state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety, and other societal and socioeconomic considerations, and in relation to utilization of nuclear energy and licensed materials in the public interest. (Title 10, Section 20.1003, of the Code of Federal Regulations)
As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP):
That level of risk which can be further lowered only by an increase in resource expenditure that is disproportionate in relation to the resulting decrease in risk. (ANSI/ASSP Z590.3‐2011(R2016))
Asset:
Something valuable that an entity owns, benefits from, or has use of, in generating income or to provide a service to society. Examples include employees and management, customers and vendors, property and buildings, liability, income, technology and information, and reputation. (Adapted from Businessdictionary.com)
Audit:
A systematic, independent, documented process for obtaining information and data and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which defined audit criteria are fulfilled. (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
Systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
Barrier:
Physical or procedural control measures that are put in place to prevent or reduce likelihood of risk exposure (proactive) and/or reduce severity of impact/consequence (reactive) resulting from a hazardous event. A fixed machine guard is an example of a “proactive barrier.” An example of a “reactive barrier” might be an air bag that is deployed in a car crash. (Authors)
Causal Factor:
One or several mechanisms that trigger the hazard that may result in a mishap. (MIL‐STD‐882E‐2012)
Compliance:
Meeting the requirements of local, state, or federal statutes, standards, or regulations. (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
Conformance:
Meeting the requirements of the organization’s OHSMS and this standard. (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
Conformity:
Fulfillment of a requirement. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
Consequence:
Outcome of an event affecting objectives. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 31000‐2018)
Consultation:
Seeking views before making a decision. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
Continual Improvement:
The process of enhancing the OHSMS to achieve ongoing improvement in overall health and safety performance in line with the organization’s health and safety policy and performance objectives. (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
Recurring activity to enhance performance. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
Contractor:
A person or organization providing services to another organization in accordance with agreed‐upon specifications, terms, and conditions. (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
External organization providing services to the organization in accordance with agreed specifications, terms, and conditions. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
An entity in private industry that enters into contracts with the Government to provide goods or services. (MIL‐STD‐882E‐2012)
Control:
Measure that maintains and/or modifies risk. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 31000‐2018)
Corrective Action:
Action taken to eliminate or mitigate the cause of a system deficiency, hazard, or risk (e.g. fix an existing problem). (ANSI/ASSP Z10.0‐2019)
Action to eliminate the cause(s) of a nonconformity or an incident and to prevent recurrence. (ANSI/ASSP/ISO 45001‐2018)
Critical Control Point (CCP) Decision Tree:
A decision‐making flowchart tool used to identify “high severity with low probability” risks that require additional control measures to reduce severity. (Authors)
