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Updated April 2026

Reference

QHSE Glossary — 65+ Key Terms Explained

A comprehensive reference for QHSE, EHS, ESG, safety, and sustainability terminology. 110 terms — each with a clear definition and links to relevant software guides.

5 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W Z

5

5 Whys

A simple iterative root cause analysis technique — repeatedly asking 'why' (typically 5 times) to drill from a symptom to the underlying cause. Often used as a step inside more rigorous RCA methods.

A

ALARP

As Low As Reasonably Practicable — a principle requiring risks to be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably achievable, balancing the cost and effort of risk reduction against the benefits gained.

ATEX

EU directives (2014/34/EU and 1999/92/EC) governing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Mandatory for chemical, oil & gas, and grain industries operating in the EU.

B

BBS

Behavior-Based Safety — an approach that focuses on observing and reinforcing safe worker behaviors rather than solely tracking lagging indicators like injury rates.

Bowtie Analysis

A visual risk-assessment method showing the causes (left side), the top event (center), and consequences with mitigations (right side). Widely used in process safety and major-hazard industries.

B Corp

Certification by B Lab for for-profit companies meeting verified standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Increasingly adopted by ESG-focused firms.

C

CAPA

Corrective and Preventive Action — a structured process for investigating nonconformances, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and preventing recurrence.

CDM Regulations

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 — UK regulations placing duties on clients, designers, principal contractors, and workers throughout construction projects.

COSHH

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (UK) — regulations requiring employers to assess and control risks from hazardous substances. Equivalent regimes exist as REACH (EU) and HazCom (US).

CSRD

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive — EU regulation requiring large companies to disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

CSRD Wave 1

First-wave CSRD reporters — large EU public-interest entities with 500+ employees. Reporting on FY 2024 data starting in 2025.

CSRD Wave 2

Second-wave CSRD reporters — large EU companies meeting 2 of 3 criteria: 250+ employees, €40m+ turnover, €20m+ balance sheet. Originally FY 2025 data, now delayed by the Omnibus simplification proposal.

CSRD Wave 3

Third-wave CSRD reporters — listed SMEs, small/non-complex credit institutions, and captive insurance undertakings. Originally FY 2026 data, currently subject to Omnibus delay proposals.

CBAM

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — EU regulation imposing a carbon price on imports of cement, iron/steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen. Definitive period starts January 2026.

CSDDD

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive — EU directive requiring large companies to identify, prevent, and remediate adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their value chains.

D

DART Rate

Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred — an OSHA metric counting incidents that result in time off, light duty, or job transfer. Calculated like TRIR but only for these severity categories.

DSEAR

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (UK) — requires employers to assess and control risks from dangerous substances that could cause fire, explosion, or similar hazards.

Double Materiality

A core CSRD concept requiring companies to assess both impact materiality (the company's effects on people and the environment) and financial materiality (sustainability matters that affect company value).

E

EHS

Environment, Health & Safety — a discipline and compliance framework focused on protecting workers and the environment. Often used interchangeably with HSE.

EMS

Environmental Management System — a framework (typically ISO 14001) for systematically managing an organization's environmental impact, including pollution prevention and legal compliance.

ESG

Environmental, Social & Governance — a framework for evaluating corporate sustainability and ethical impact. Used by investors, regulators, and stakeholders to assess non-financial performance.

ESRS

European Sustainability Reporting Standards — the technical standards underpinning CSRD reporting. Covers cross-cutting standards (ESRS 1, 2) plus topical standards for environment, social, and governance.

EMR

Experience Modification Rate — a multiplier (typically 0.7-1.5) applied to workers' compensation insurance premiums based on a 3-year claims history. Lower EMR = lower premium.

ESRS E1

European Sustainability Reporting Standard E1 — Climate Change. Covers transition plans, GHG emissions (Scope 1-3), energy consumption, climate-related risks/opportunities, and internal carbon pricing.

ESRS E2

European Sustainability Reporting Standard E2 — Pollution. Covers air, water, soil pollution, substances of concern (including PFAS), and microplastics across the value chain.

ESRS E3

European Sustainability Reporting Standard E3 — Water and Marine Resources. Requires disclosure of water consumption, withdrawals, discharges, and impacts in water-stressed areas.

ESRS E4

European Sustainability Reporting Standard E4 — Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Covers impacts, dependencies, transition plans, and locations near biodiversity-sensitive areas.

ESRS E5

European Sustainability Reporting Standard E5 — Resource Use and Circular Economy. Requires disclosure of resource inflows, outflows, waste, and circular product/process design.

ESRS S1

European Sustainability Reporting Standard S1 — Own Workforce. Covers working conditions, equal treatment and opportunities, work-life balance, health and safety, and human rights for direct employees.

ESRS G1

European Sustainability Reporting Standard G1 — Business Conduct. Covers corporate culture, anti-corruption, whistleblower protection, political engagement, and supplier relationships.

EU Taxonomy

EU classification system that defines which economic activities are environmentally sustainable. Required for CSRD reporters and EU financial market participants.

EU Omnibus

European Commission's 2025 Sustainability Omnibus proposal to simplify CSRD, CSDDD, EU Taxonomy and CBAM — including delays to reporting waves and reduced data point requirements.

F

FMEA

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis — a systematic technique for identifying potential failure modes in a process or product and their consequences, then ranking them by severity, occurrence, and detection.

Fishbone Diagram

Also called Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram — a visual root cause analysis tool grouping potential causes into categories (typically Manpower, Method, Machine, Material, Measurement, Environment).

Fault Tree Analysis

A top-down deductive failure analysis using boolean logic to combine lower-level events leading to an undesired top-level event. Widely used in aerospace, nuclear, and process safety.

First Aid Case

Under OSHA 1904.7(b)(5)(ii), minor treatment such as bandaging, hot/cold therapy, non-prescription medication, or removal of foreign bodies. Not OSHA-recordable but should be tracked as a leading indicator.

G

GHG Protocol

Greenhouse Gas Protocol — the most widely used international accounting standard for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories.

GHS

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals — international standard for chemical hazard communication, including standardized SDS format and pictograms.

GRI

Global Reporting Initiative — an international framework providing standardized sustainability reporting guidelines used by organizations worldwide for ESG disclosure.

GRI 305

Global Reporting Initiative Standard 305 — Emissions. Covers Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, ozone-depleting substances, NOx/SOx, and emissions intensity.

H

HACCP

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points — a systematic preventive food safety approach identifying physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Required by FDA and EU food safety regulations.

HAZOP

Hazard and Operability Study — a structured risk assessment technique used to identify potential hazards and operability problems in complex processes, especially in chemical and process industries.

Hierarchy of Controls

A NIOSH-defined ranking of risk control effectiveness: Elimination > Substitution > Engineering Controls > Administrative Controls > PPE. Higher controls are more effective and reliable.

HSE

Health, Safety & Environment — the functional area responsible for managing occupational health, workplace safety, and environmental compliance within an organization.

Heat Illness Prevention

OSHA's emerging federal heat standard (proposed 2024) plus existing state standards (CA, OR, WA, NV, MN) requiring heat-injury and illness prevention plans, water/rest/shade, and acclimatization.

I

IFRS S1/S2

International Financial Reporting Standards on sustainability and climate (ISSB) — global baseline for sustainability-related financial disclosure adopted by 30+ jurisdictions.

IMS

Integrated Management System — a single system that manages multiple ISO standards (typically 9001, 14001, 45001) together, eliminating duplication and improving efficiency.

ISO 9001

The international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It provides a framework for consistently meeting customer requirements and enhancing satisfaction through effective quality processes.

ISO 14001

The international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It helps organizations minimize environmental impact, comply with regulations, and continuously improve environmental performance.

ISO 19011

International standard providing guidance on auditing management systems — including audit principles, programme management, audit conduct, and auditor competence.

ISO 31000

International standard for risk management providing principles, framework, and a process for managing risk applicable to any organization, regardless of size, activity, or sector.

ISO 45001

The international standard for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. It replaced OHSAS 18001 and provides requirements for proactively improving worker safety and reducing workplace risks.

ISO 50001

International standard for Energy Management Systems — helps organizations establish processes to improve energy performance, efficiency, and consumption reduction. Often integrated with ISO 14001.

IFRS S1

ISSB standard for general sustainability-related financial disclosure — requires reporting of governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics for material sustainability risks and opportunities.

IFRS S2

ISSB standard for climate-related disclosures — requires reporting of physical and transition climate risks, Scope 1/2/3 GHG emissions, climate resilience, and capital deployment.

J

JSA / JHA

Job Safety Analysis (also called Job Hazard Analysis) — a technique for identifying hazards associated with each step of a job and determining the best way to control them.

Just Culture

An organizational culture model that distinguishes between human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless behavior — applying coaching, accountability, or discipline appropriately rather than blaming all errors equally.

K

KPI

Key Performance Indicator — a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an organization is achieving its QHSE objectives. Examples: TRIR, LTIR, audit completion rate.

L

LCA

Life Cycle Assessment — a methodology for evaluating environmental impacts of a product, process, or service across its entire life cycle, from raw materials to disposal.

Leading Indicator

A safety metric that predicts future incidents, such as observation completion rates or near-miss reporting rates. Contrasts with lagging indicators (TRIR, LTIR) which reflect past events.

LOPA

Layer of Protection Analysis — a semi-quantitative risk assessment technique that evaluates the adequacy of protective layers (alarms, interlocks, relief devices) against process hazards.

LOTO

Lockout/Tagout — safety procedures ensuring that dangerous machines are properly shut off and cannot be restarted before maintenance or repair work is completed.

LTIR

Lost Time Incident Rate — the number of lost-time injuries per 200,000 hours worked. A key lagging indicator in occupational safety performance measurement.

Lagging Indicator

A safety metric that measures incidents after they occur (TRIR, LTIR, fatalities). Useful for tracking outcomes but provides no early warning. Should always be paired with leading indicators.

M

MOC

Management of Change — a systematic process for evaluating and managing risks associated with changes to processes, equipment, procedures, or organizational structure.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet — the legacy term for what is now called the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) under GHS. The MSDS terminology was retired in most jurisdictions during the 2012-2015 GHS rollout.

Materiality Assessment

A structured process for identifying and prioritizing the ESG topics that are most relevant to a company's stakeholders and business performance. Mandatory under CSRD/ESRS.

N

NCR

Nonconformance Report — a document identifying a deviation from specified requirements (product specs, procedures, standards). Triggers CAPA investigation and resolution.

Near Miss

An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so. Tracking near misses is a leading indicator of safety performance.

Net Zero

A state in which the GHG emissions a company releases are balanced by removals from the atmosphere over a defined period — typically aligned with a 1.5°C pathway and validated by SBTi.

O

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration — the US federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

OSHA 300

The OSHA-required injury and illness log that US employers must maintain. Forms include 300 (log), 300A (annual summary), and 301 (incident detail).

OSHA NEP

OSHA National Emphasis Program — targeted enforcement initiatives focused on specific hazards (heat, fall protection, amputations, combustible dust, warehouse). NEPs trigger increased inspection frequency.

P

PFAS

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances — a class of 'forever chemicals' subject to increasing global regulation due to environmental persistence and health concerns.

PHA

Process Hazard Analysis — a thorough, orderly, systematic approach for identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. Required under OSHA PSM and EPA RMP.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment — protective clothing, helmets, eyewear, gloves, respirators, and other gear used to protect workers from injury or illness when other controls are infeasible.

PSM

Process Safety Management — OSHA's standard (29 CFR 1910.119) for preventing catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals. Includes 14 elements covering prevention through emergency planning.

PTW

Permit to Work — a formal authorization system for controlling high-risk activities (hot work, confined space entry, excavation) with structured risk assessment and approval workflows.

PCAF

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials — global framework for financial institutions to measure and disclose financed emissions across asset classes.

PSSR

Pre-Startup Safety Review — a final check before introducing a new or modified process to confirm equipment is built per design, training is complete, procedures are in place, and PHA recommendations have been addressed. OSHA PSM Element.

Q

QHSE

Quality, Health, Safety & Environment — an integrated management approach combining quality management (ISO 9001) with occupational health & safety (ISO 45001) and environmental management (ISO 14001).

R

RCA

Root Cause Analysis — a methodology for identifying the fundamental cause(s) of incidents or nonconformances. Common techniques include 5-Why, fishbone diagrams, and fault tree analysis.

REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals — EU regulation (EC 1907/2006) governing the production and use of chemical substances. Significant compliance burden for manufacturers and importers.

RIDDOR

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 — UK regulations requiring employers to report specified workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive.

Recordable Incident

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1904, an injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, days away from work, restricted duty, loss of consciousness, or death.

S

SASB

Sustainability Accounting Standards Board — industry-specific sustainability disclosure standards now consolidated under the ISSB (IFRS Foundation).

SBTi

Science Based Targets initiative — a corporate climate action partnership that validates company emissions reduction targets against climate science (1.5°C pathway).

Scope 1 Emissions

Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization — e.g., company vehicles, on-site fuel combustion, process emissions.

Scope 2 Emissions

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the organization.

Scope 3 Emissions

All other indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the organization's value chain — both upstream (purchased goods, business travel) and downstream (product use, end-of-life).

SDS

Safety Data Sheet — a standardized document containing information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, disposal, and emergency measures. Required under GHS and REACH regulations.

SECR

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting — UK requirement for large companies to disclose energy use, GHG emissions, and energy efficiency actions in annual reports.

SIF

Serious Injury or Fatality — a category used to focus prevention efforts on the small fraction of incidents with high severity potential. SIF-precursor analysis is increasingly favored over total-incident counting.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure — a set of step-by-step instructions for performing routine operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across the organization.

SWMS

Safe Work Method Statement — a document outlining the high-risk construction work activities, associated hazards, and control measures. Required in many construction jurisdictions.

Scope Boundaries

The defined organisational and operational limits used to determine which GHG emissions a company reports. Two main approaches: equity share and control (financial or operational) — must be consistent year-over-year.

Severity Rate

A workplace safety metric calculating the days lost per 200,000 hours worked. Formula: (Days lost × 200,000) ÷ Total hours worked. Complements frequency rates like TRIR.

Silica Standard

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1053 / 1926.1153 — Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard with PEL of 50 µg/m³. Requires exposure assessment, engineering controls, written exposure control plan, and medical surveillance.

T

TapRoot

A structured root cause analysis methodology developed for the nuclear industry, now widely used in oil & gas, chemicals, and aviation. Includes a Root Cause Tree and pre-built corrective action library.

TCFD

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures — a framework for disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities. Recommendations cover governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics.

TRIR

Total Recordable Incident Rate — the number of OSHA-recordable incidents per 200,000 hours worked. Formula: (Recordable incidents × 200,000) ÷ Total hours worked.

Tripod Beta

An incident analysis methodology used in oil & gas and aviation that identifies preconditions and barriers, exposing systemic causes beyond the immediate trigger.

Toolbox Talk

A short (typically 5-15 minute) informal safety meeting held at the start of a shift to discuss specific hazards, recent incidents, or upcoming high-risk work. Required documentation under many CDM/OSHA programs.

V

VPP

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs — recognition program for US workplaces that have implemented effective safety and health management systems exceeding regulatory requirements.

VSME

Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed Micro, Small and Medium-sized Undertakings — a simplified ESRS-aligned standard for SMEs published by EFRAG.

W

WELL Building Standard

A performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of buildings that impact human health and wellbeing through air, water, light, and ergonomic design.

WHS

Work Health and Safety — the term used in Australia (under model WHS Act and Regulations) for what other countries call OH&S, EHS, or HSE.

What-If Analysis

A brainstorming-based hazard identification technique where teams systematically pose 'what if' questions to identify deviations and consequences. A lighter alternative to HAZOP for less complex processes.

Walking-Working Surfaces

OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D — covers fall protection, ladders, dockboards, and scaffolds in general industry. Updated in 2017 with phased fall-protection retrofits required.

Z

Zero Harm

An aspirational safety philosophy and goal that no worker should be injured, made ill, or killed by their work. Adopted by many oil/gas, mining, and construction majors as a strategic commitment.

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